Income tax bill to corner elusive landlords

The amended income tax bill, which is expected to become law early April, requires business tenants who pay rent for use of any land or building to withhold tax at the rate of five percent of the rent amount and pay the tax to BURS.

Speaking to The Monitor in a telephone interview, the Director of Tax Policy at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Boikanyo Mathipa, said the provision would help them keep a track record of who is earning rental income and to ensure that landlords are paying tax on their income.