By Charles Mkoka
The Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Mr Yusuph Mwenda (pictured) has proudly announced that the agency has successfully collected Sh7.790 trillion in revenue for the period from July to September 2024. This remarkable achievement represents a 104.9% success rate against the target of Sh 7.420 trillion.
Speaking on the agency’s impressive performance, the TRA Commissioner explained that in the past three months, revenue collection has consistently increased, from 103% in July to 105% in September. Notably, in September alone—a regular month—TRA hit a record collection of Sh 3.018 trillion, the highest monthly figure since the authority was established.
Mwenda attributed these successes to Tanzania’s strong investment policies and the directives of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which have fostered a positive relationship between taxpayers and the authority.
"We deeply thank the President for her leadership and policies, which have strengthened our partnership with taxpayers. Rather than seeing them as adversaries, we now engage them as partners, listening to their concerns and addressing their challenges promptly," Mwenda stated.
He also expressed gratitude to the taxpayers of Tanzania, including employees, small, medium, and large businesses, and ordinary citizens, who contribute by paying taxes on everyday purchases. Additionally, he commended the TRA staff for their dedication, working tirelessly around the clock to meet the nation's expectations.
Thursday has now been designated as a day for the TRA to engage with taxpayers directly, providing a platform to address issues promptly and ensure fairness across the board. Mwenda stressed that while many comply with tax obligations, a minority still evades taxes, and TRA is stepping up its audit and investigation efforts to identify these individuals and take legal action where necessary.
"We want everyone, especially those avoiding taxes, to pay their fair share. We have strengthened our audit and investigation units to ensure that timely information helps us identify and take action against non-compliant individuals," he warned.
The Commissioner also acknowledged various institutions for their continued support, which has played a key role in encouraging all citizens to pay taxes.
When responding to a reporter's question, Mwenda explained that taxes are collected from multiple sources, including corporate income tax, excise duty, import duty at the ports, and employment taxes.
"There are over ten types of taxes, along with various levies, all of which have contributed to our current success. We encourage online and home-based businesses to register and start paying taxes. Obtaining a TIN is free," Mwenda emphasized.
He further explained that taxes are collected by TRA staff from three key departments: Customs, Domestic Revenue Collection, and the Large Taxpayers Department.
On his part, the Head of the Customs Department reiterated the importance of maintaining proper documentation to avoid any complications with the authority.
"Presenting accurate documentation helps us determine the correct tax to be paid. It is the responsibility of every business owner to keep their records to ensure accurate taxation," he advised.
The Commissioner revealed that a new tax collection system is scheduled to roll out in January 2025, aimed at significantly improving the tax collection process.
"We've had this system for over ten years, and we're making major improvements to introduce new modules. The updated system will allow smoother tax collection and reduce unnecessary interventions between importers and officers," Mwenda noted, adding that the system will also reduce the burden on both customers and TRA officers, allowing taxpayers to access their assessments anytime, anywhere.
Lastly, the Commissioner reminded taxpayers to maintain proper records and comply with the law. "When we sell, we must issue receipts, and when we purchase, we should demand receipts. This helps the TRA assess the true tax liability of businesses," he emphasized, urging citizens to pay taxes on time to avoid penalties, which he described as unnecessary costs.
Mr. Michael Mboja, who oversees the Large Taxpayers Department, expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between the TRA and major taxpayers, noting that it has greatly contributed to the successful revenue collection for the July-September quarter.