By NAMUTENGA SAKAPILA
Music promoters should have their business entities registered so that they start remitting taxes to the Zambia revenue Authority (ZRA).
ZRA Communications Manager Topsy Sikalinda said it was saddening that some Music promoters had been holding concerts and shows without being registered.
Speaking in an interview with The Independent Observer, Mr Sikalinda said Music promoters must be aware that they run companies and fall under the obligation of companies act.
“Entities that are in the business of promoting music, who organize concerts or other crowd engaging events, should know that they are running a business and should be law abiding by paying their taxes or risk being visited by the law,” he said.
He said the promoters who come from outside Zambia with their acts can only be cleared by National Arts Council upon meeting their tax obligations.
“Measures have been put in place to sensitize music promoter on the importance of remitting their taxes to ZRA,” he said.
And NAC said all arts promoters are required by law to register with NAC and collect a Promoters Licence.
“The procedure is stipulated in the form and can be found on our website on www.arts.gov.zm. Further, promoters are expected to have a physical place of operation and some other requirements.
“We normally go out in the field, unfortunately, mostly in Lusaka to sensitise the promoters. We also put advert in newspapers and arrange interviews on radio or TV. In short there is much more we need to do to raise awareness of some of our work,” the statement from NAC said in parts.
