Samia seeks stronger tax system

DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to broaden the tax base, simplify revenue systems and strengthen integrity as part of efforts to finance the country’s development agenda through domestic resources.

She said that as the country advances towards the implementation of Vision 2050 and its broader development ambitions, building a strong, efficient and sustainable domestic revenue system remains essential to achieving economic self-reliance.

“I wish to see a broader base of patriotic taxpayers, who fully understand their responsibilities. I want us to build simplified and interconnected revenue collection systems and I expect our officials to demonstrate even greater professionalism, innovation and integrity,” she said on Wednesday during the 30th anniversary celebrations of TRA and the Presidential Outstanding Taxpayer Awards ceremony held in Dar es Salaam.

She added: “That will be the greatest gift you can give me at the end of my leadership tenure, a revenue authority with these qualities and one that collects sufficient resources to move the nation closer to self-reliance.” President Samia further said domestic revenue remains the foundation of national development, stressing that taxation should not be viewed as a punishment or burden on citizens and businesses, but rather as a collective contribution towards financing public services, infrastructure development and national prosperity.

She directed TRA to reduce complaints from taxpayers, simplify service delivery, expand taxpayer education programmes and strengthen the use of digital systems to reduce costs, time and disputes associated with tax payments.

President Samia further instructed the authority to continue modernising its digital systems to improve efficiency, reduce the burden on taxpayers, curb corruption and build public trust in the country’s tax administration system.

She said the country’s rapidly expanding economy and evolving business environment require a tax system that keeps pace with contemporary realities, adding that TRA must continue implementing reforms that encourage voluntary tax compliance and simplify payment procedures.

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“The implementation of these reforms will help taxpayers recognise that paying taxes is not only a legal obligation but also an expression of patriotism and a means of safeguarding our national dignity as we move towards greater self-reliance,” she said.

Reflecting on TRA’s three-decade journey, President Samia described the institution’s history as a story of transformation in building the country’s capacity to finance development through domestic resources. During the ceremony, she presented awards to 54 outstanding taxpayers from various sectors in recognition of their exemplary tax compliance.

President of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, said over the past three decades the authority has played a critical role in strengthening domestic revenue collection and enhancing the government’s ability to finance development using internal resources.

“We assure TRA of our full cooperation so that it can continue meeting the expectations of Tanzanians and support the implementation of various development projects funded by taxpayers’ contributions,” Dr Mwinyi said. He added that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar would continue cooperating with TRA to improve systems, enhance revenue collection efficiency and create a taxpayer-friendly environment.

Minister for Finance Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar said the implementation of Vision 2050 requires a modern, innovative and efficient revenue authority capable of supporting a larger and more sophisticated economy.

“In line with Vision 2050, TRA itself must evolve into a new institution equipped to serve the economy that Tanzania aspires to build over the coming decades,” he said.

TRA Commissioner General, Yusuf Mwenda attributed the authority’s strong performance to sustained economic growth, improvements in tax administration systems and strong partnerships among the government, businesses and taxpayers. Commissioner Mwenda said TRA’s annual revenue collection had increased significantly from 532bn/- in the 1996/97 financial year to more than 37.957tri/- in the 2025/26 financial year.

He added that the authority’s workforce had expanded from fewer than 500 employees when TRA was established to more than 8,000 employees currently, enabling it to improve service delivery and expand its operations nationwide.

Mr Mwenda said TRA has launched its Seventh Corporate Plan, designed to support business growth and align revenue administration with the ambitions of the National Development Vision 2050 and the country’s long-term economic transformation agenda.

“Under the new strategy, TRA plans to strengthen digital tax systems, expand the taxpayer base, improve electronic invoicing and stamp management, combat smuggling, enhance international taxation capabilities and deepen engagement with taxpayers,” he said.