Kagera fetches 92bn/- from revenue collection
KAGERA: THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in the Kagera region has exceeded its revenue collection target for the July-December period, collecting 92.3bn/- which is an increase of 114 percent of the planned 80.9bn/-.
Presenting the report at the 14th Taxpayer Appreciation Day, held in the presence of Kagera Regional Commissioner Ms Fatma Mwassa, tax stakeholders, business owners, and residents, TRA Kagera Regional Manager Mr Castro John highlighted that for the 2024/2025 fiscal year, the region aims to collect 164bn with contribution from various business sources, investors, and customs stations.
Reflecting on the past five years, he noted a significant progress in tax collection awareness, with many businesspeople now paying their taxes voluntarily and on time.
He noted that in 2020/2021, the region set a target of 71.05bn/- but collected 73.3bn/-, surpassing the target by 103 percent.
Similarly, in 2021/2022, the region aimed to collect 81.9bn/-, but achieved 94.8bn/-, a 115percent of the target.
In the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the target was 125.3bn/-, but only 113bn was collected, falling short at 90.2 percent.
For 2023/2024, the region set a target of 118.1bn/- and exceeded it by collecting 119bn/-, reaching 101 percent of the target.
“These growing targets reflect our collective responsibility to ensure the success of revenue collection through strong collaboration, patriotism, and accountability, we need the support of our stakeholders to meet our goal”, said John.
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Furthermore, he outlined several key strategies that have contributed to the successful tax collection efforts, including the use of electronic receipts, tax education, audits of tax records, managing staff ethics, overseeing tax systems, and expanding business registrations.
However, he also noted challenges that could threaten the region’s tax revenue, including petty traders hiding under informal business structures, the unregulated opening of businesses, and the submission of invalid electronic tax records.
Kagera Regional Commissioner Ms Fatma Mwassa commended TRA and stakeholders for their success in revenue collection and tax reforms but emphasized the need for tougher action against tax evaders.
“Those who evade taxes should face strict legal consequences,” she stated.
She also urged TRA to enhance border patrols, improve staff ethics, respond quickly to complaints, strengthen taxpayer records, and improve tax payment systems to ensure businesses are not burdened, while continuing to promote tax education across the region.
