RC Sendiga launches TRA business facilitation desk

MANYARA: MANYARA Regional Commissioner, Queen Sendiga, has directed the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to fully utilise its newly launched Business Facilitation Desk in Babati District by actively engaging with businesspeople, addressing their concerns and fostering an environment of trust and growth.

Speaking during the official launch of the desk over the weekend, RC Sendiga stressed the need for courtesy, innovation and responsiveness among TRA officers.

“If you are not courteous and don’t listen to concerns and feedback, you will lose clients. Someone might have valuable suggestions to improve services but fear sharing them, thinking a TRA officer might scold them,” she warned.

She said the primary goal of the desk is not just tax collection but to educate, train and guide business owners, especially new entrepreneurs, by offering legal and professional advice that supports business growth.

RC Sendiga stressed that TRA should expand innovation in service delivery, offer entrepreneurial training and tax education, explain guidelines and regulations in simple, friendly language and provide licensing and permit services via a One-Stop Centre.

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“TRA’s role is not only to collect taxes but also to equip businesspeople with the knowledge and skills to benefit from services rather than avoid them,” she noted.

She urged TRA to compile monthly reports showing number of clients served, business types supported, key challenges raised as well as strategic plans to resolve issues in short, medium and long term.

TRA officers were also instructed to visit businesses regularly and ensure Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) are functioning properly.

RC Sendiga stated that the desk should contribute to economic growth by improving the business environment, increasing money circulation and expanding the value chain.

“Improved business services grow the economy, create jobs, expand capital and generate government revenue for social and development projects,” she said.

She further instructed District Commissioners in Mbulu, Hanang’, Kiteto, Simanjiro and Babati to establish similar desks in partnership with TRA to decentralise services and bring them closer to the people.

TRA Manyara Regional Manager, Alex Katundu, encouraged businesses of all sizes to utilise the new desk for tax law education, entrepreneurship guidance and support.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Businesspeople in Manyara Region Musa Msuya welcomed the initiative.

“We used to avoid seeing TRA officers near our businesses, but now, through this programme, that fear is gone. This desk is a solution to our long-standing challenges.”