An independent public registry tracking PMS vendor and hospitality operator compliance with ZRA system integration requirements in Zanzibar.
24 April 2026, 23:59:59 EAT
This portal provides independent, transparent tracking of compliance with the Zanzibar Revenue Authority's mandatory system integration requirements for the hospitality sector.
We independently track and verify compliance status for all regulated hospitality entities against ZRA system integration requirements.
A transparent, publicly accessible registry listing every PMS vendor and hospitality operator with their current compliance status.
Access the relevant laws, regulations, official notices, and ZRA guidance documents in one organised, easy-to-navigate location.
Stay informed with the latest compliance deadline announcements, regulatory updates, and enforcement actions published by ZRA.
ZRA's compliance requirements apply across five distinct sectors of the Zanzibar hospitality industry. Each has specific obligations under the applicable legislation.
Property Management System vendors must register as taxpayers and integrate with both the ZAN Gateway and VFMS.
Registry LiveLicensed hotels must register with ZRA and operate exclusively on ZRA-approved PMS systems before the deadline.
Registry LiveOperators of short-term rental accommodation must register and connect to ZRA-approved booking systems.
Coming SoonOTAs facilitating Zanzibar bookings must integrate with ZRA reporting systems and fulfil withholding tax obligations.
Coming SoonLicensed agents must register with ZRA and ensure all commission income is properly reported through approved systems.
Coming SoonLive registry of PMS vendors, hotels, and other hospitality operators with their current ZRA compliance status.
Total Suppliers
7
Compliant
1
Non-Compliant
6
Compliance Rate
14%
1 of 7 suppliers
1 compliant · 6 non-compliant · 7 total
| Registered Taxpayer | ZAN Gateway | VFMS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HotelOnline | Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Cloudbeds | Non-Compliant | No | No | No | |
| IDS Next | Non-Compliant | No | No | No | |
| Nightsbridge | Non-Compliant | No | No | No | |
| Novacom | Non-Compliant | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Resrequest | Non-Compliant | No | No | No | |
| Yanolja Cloud Solution | Non-Compliant | Yes | No | Yes |
Under the Tax Administration and Procedures Act (No. 7 of 2009, revised 2025), consequences vary based on the nature of non-compliance. All three scenarios carry serious legal and commercial risk.
Most severe violation — illegal operation from day one
Illegal Operation
Operating without tax registration is a direct breach of the Tax Administration and Procedures Act. Fine: 100,000–500,000 TZS, or 2–12 months imprisonment, or both.
Forced Registration & Backdated Tax Exposure
ZRA can register the company automatically (deemed registration), estimate taxes using best judgment, and issue large retroactive tax bills with interest and penalties.
Business Licence Becomes Invalid
Without tax clearance no valid business licence can be issued, and any existing licence may be rendered invalid — the company cannot legally operate.
Full Enforcement After Deadline
The public notice explicitly states that failure to comply within 60 days will trigger audits, investigations, financial penalties, operational shutdown, and possible prosecution.
Market Rejection
Hotels are required to use compliant systems. Non-compliant suppliers face immediate loss of clients, severe reputational damage, and a high risk of commercial collapse.
Partial integration — ZAN Gateway is a separate mandatory requirement
ZAN Gateway Integration is a Distinct Legal Obligation
VFMS integration and ZAN Gateway connectivity are separate requirements under the directive. Operating without ZAN Gateway integration is itself a criminal offence regardless of VFMS status.
Transaction Data Incomplete
ZAN Gateway is the central revenue reporting channel. Without it, booking and payment data does not reach ZRA in the required format, leaving the supplier and its hotel clients exposed to underreporting liability.
Severe Penalties Apply
Minimum fine of 10,000,000 TZS, or at least 2 years imprisonment for failing to meet all integration requirements — even where partial integration exists.
Hotels Inherit the Compliance Gap
Hotels using a PMS that is not fully connected to ZAN Gateway are themselves non-compliant. They will be forced to switch suppliers to eliminate their own legal exposure.
Approval Status at Risk
ZRA can revoke approved supplier status for incomplete integration. Removal from the approved list triggers immediate commercial loss across all hotel clients.
One integration missing — VFMS is still a hard requirement
VFMS Integration is Mandatory
The Visitor Fiscal Management System (VFMS) is a core ZRA requirement for all PMS suppliers. ZAN Gateway integration does not substitute for VFMS connectivity — both are required independently.
Severe Penalties for Non-Integration
Minimum fine of 10,000,000 TZS, or at least 2 years imprisonment. This penalty applies even where the supplier is registered and connected to ZAN Gateway.
Visitor Levy Collection Compromised
Without VFMS integration, visitor levy data cannot be properly captured or verified by ZRA. This creates direct levy underreporting exposure for both the PMS supplier and its hotel clients.
Suspension or Revocation of Registration
ZRA has the authority to suspend or revoke a taxpayer's registration for failure to meet integration requirements, stripping the supplier of its legal right to operate.
Client Attrition Risk
Hotels with their own compliance obligations will not wait for a supplier to complete VFMS integration under enforcement pressure. Client churn accelerates sharply once ZRA begins inspections.
Legal basis: Tax Administration and Procedures Act, No. 7 of 2009 (revised 2025). Enforcement is expected to follow a structured approach post-deadline: compliance checks, notices, financial penalties, system audits, suspension or shutdown, and legal prosecution in serious cases.
All applicable legislation and official guidance documents governing ZRA hospitality compliance obligations.
ZRA Notice
Official ZRA notice requiring all hotels, accommodation providers, and property operators to mandatorily register and integrate their Property Management Systems (PMS) with ZRA systems for tax compliance and revenue monitoring.
View official document
ZRA Public Notice
Official ZRA public notice outlining the legal obligation for businesses to register and integrate their ICT systems with Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) systems. Includes a downloadable PDF with full details.
View official document
Act No. 11 of 2022
Establishes and reconstitutes the Zanzibar Revenue Authority, defining its mandate, governance structure, powers of enforcement, and administration of all revenue laws in Zanzibar.
View official document
Act No. 7 of 2009 (Consolidated 2025)
Governs the administration and procedures for all taxes in Zanzibar, including taxpayer registration, filing obligations, assessments, objections, appeals, enforcement powers, and penalties applicable to hospitality operators and PMS vendors.
View official document
ZRA Compliance Guidelines
Official ZRA compliance guidelines outlining tax obligations, registration requirements, and system integration rules for hotels, accommodation providers, and online travel agencies (OTAs) operating in Zanzibar.
View official document
Compliance deadline updates, enforcement actions, and regulatory changes affecting the Zanzibar hospitality sector.
ZRA issues final reminder to all hospitality operators and PMS vendors. Entities not yet compliant are urged to complete integration immediately. Enforcement actions will commence from 25 April 2026.
HotelOnline becomes the first PMS vendor to achieve full compliance status, having successfully completed taxpayer registration, ZAN Gateway integration, and VFMS certification.
ZRA has published updated API documentation and sandbox testing credentials for PMS vendors in the final stages of ZAN Gateway integration. Documents are available from the ZRA technical portal.
The Zanzibar Hospitality Compliance Portal launches publicly, providing transparent tracking of PMS vendor and hotel compliance status ahead of the April 2026 deadline.
ZRA has issued formal written warnings to all PMS vendors that have not yet registered as taxpayers, advising that failure to comply will result in removal from the approved supplier list.
The ZRA portal now accepts non-resident taxpayer registrations from overseas PMS vendors. Vendors are encouraged to complete registration well in advance of the compliance deadline.
Answers to the most common questions about ZRA hospitality compliance requirements.
The mandatory compliance deadline is 24 April 2026 at 23:59:59 EAT. After this date, ZRA will commence enforcement actions against non-compliant entities, which may include removal from approved supplier lists, tax assessments, penalties, and in serious cases, referral for further regulatory action.