Samia to grace top taxpayers at TRA 30th anniversary

DODOMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to honour outstanding taxpayers during the climax of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)’s 30th anniversary celebrations on July 1 this year, in recognition of their contribution to national development.

TRA Director of Taxpayer Education and Communication, Richard Kayombo, said the awards will recognise taxpayers who have demonstrated integrity, compliance and a significant contribution to government revenue collection.

The celebrations are being held under the theme: “Three Decades of TRA, Taxpayer the Hero, Self-Reliant Tanzania.”

Speaking in Dodoma recently, Mr Kayombo said the month-long celebrations, which began on June 1, include tax clinics, taxpayer education campaigns, stakeholder meetings and public outreach programmes aimed at promoting voluntary tax compliance and improving tax services.

“The awards are intended to recognise taxpayers who have consistently fulfilled their tax obligations and contributed to the country’s socio-economic development,” he said.

Mr Kayombo noted that the achievements recorded by TRA over the past three decades have been largely driven by the commitment and cooperation of taxpayers across the country.

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He said institutions, businesses and individual taxpayers have continued to play a critical role in enabling the government to finance development projects, improve infrastructure and expand the delivery of social services.

“The success of TRA cannot be separated from the contribution of taxpayers. Their compliance has enabled the government to implement key development programmes and improve the lives of Tanzanians,” he said.

Mr Kayombo added that the authority’s 30th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since TRA officially commenced operations on July 1, 1996, while also strengthening partnerships with taxpayers and other stakeholders.

He urged Tanzanians to continue paying taxes voluntarily and on time, describing tax compliance as a cornerstone of national development.