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Fiscal Tax Invoices: What They Must Show and How to Check One

2 min read2026 tax year, USD

In Zimbabwe, a business registered for VAT can't simply type up a VAT invoice. A VAT invoice has to be a fiscal tax invoice, produced by a fiscal device or system registered with ZIMRA, which reports each invoice to ZIMRA as it's made. That's why our invoice generator makes invoices without VAT for Zimbabwe: they're fine for a business that isn't registered for VAT, but they can't stand in for a fiscal tax invoice.

Who has to issue one

A registered operator who makes a taxable supply must give the customer a fiscal tax invoice within 30 days of the supply. Registration for VAT is compulsory once a business's taxable supplies pass ZIMRA's threshold of US$25,000 a year.

What it must show

ZIMRA lists what a fiscal tax invoice must contain:

  • the words "Fiscal Tax Invoice" in a prominent place;
  • the supplier's name, address and registration numbers (now the TIN and VAT number);
  • the customer's name and address, and their registration numbers too if they're a registered operator;
  • a serial number and the date it was issued;
  • a description and the quantity of the goods or services, and the currency of the transaction;
  • the value of the supply, the VAT charged and the total, or a statement that the total includes VAT at the stated rate.

The new VAT numbers

Since ZIMRA moved to its TaRMS system, every taxpayer has a TIN, and VAT numbers start with 22. ZIMRA said the old numbers beginning 100 stopped being valid from 1 January 2024. An invoice that still shows an old-style VAT number is worth querying with the supplier.

How to check an invoice you've received

Every fiscal tax invoice carries a QR code and a verification code from the fiscal device. To check one:

  1. Go to ZIMRA's FDMS portal at fdms.zimra.co.zw.
  2. Scan the QR code on the invoice with your phone, or type in the verification code.
  3. The portal tells you whether the invoice is valid. Choose Review to see the details the supplier's device sent to ZIMRA, and check they match the invoice in your hand: the amount, the VAT and the date.

If the portal says the invoice isn't valid, or the details don't match, ask the supplier before you pay it or claim the VAT back.

If you're not registered for VAT

You can still send ordinary invoices, in US dollars or ZiG as you agree with your customer. They mustn't show VAT or call themselves tax invoices. Our invoice generator makes them, and downloads them as a PDF.

Sources

This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.