Truth is that we all make lot of money from side hustles other than salaries. In fact, if you can analyse yourself well, you will discover that a number of assets or items you have were bought from the incomes from side hustle. The Mistake we make is not to declare such incomes with tax authorities in order to prepare yourself for future problems. In our thinking, paying a k400 (4%) turnover tax from a revenue of K10,000 is waste of money. Now, in as much as it is criminal offence to evade taxes, it is also personal hygiene to be tax compliant. The thing is that we live in a wicked world and one day your neighbour or work mate will be jealous of you because of the house you have built or the posh car you have bought. Im sure you know that in most companies, some work mates or bosses dont like to see friends doing better than them when they get paid same salary. So when your neighbour reports you to police or Ant- corruption commission for suspicious corruption or illegal acts, you will be required to defend yourself. In your defence, you will begin to reveal that actually I’m doing a business in Soweto market which give me k10,000 monthly and my wife also sells chikanda which give her k5,000 monthly. The next thing the investigator will ask you is to produce a record of tax payments and you will begin shivering thinking your aunt in the village has bewitched you. I know most of us don’t want to share our private hustle with work mates or friends but please always share it with Zambia revenue authority. It will really help you in future. You may think you are clever by not paying taxes not knowing that you are digging a terrible hole for yourself. Most of these people you see being prosecuted, it’s mostly non compliance with the law. Remember that during investigation, the investigator will add all your posible legitimate incomes compared with the assets acquired. Any difference will be deemed to be proceeds of crimes until you justify. You see, justifying your incomes is very easy but what catches people is payments of taxes. My sister, just go and register yourself for tax purposes and begin to contribute for national development. MUPAKASI IS SIMPLY WARNING YOU.
By Mr Winfred Mupakasi Silumbwe
