SGA awarded for outstanding tax compliance

SGA Security, the oldest and the largest Security firm in Tanzania has been awarded by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) for outstanding tax compliance.

This was at the event to celebrate complying taxpayers in the country held in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

SGA was third overall in the large taxpayers’ category in Tegeta region. The criteria used in the awards included the amount of taxes paid, transparency in disclosure and payment, timeliness of payment and Cooperation given to TRA officials.

SGA Tanzania Managing Director, Mr Eric Sambu, expressed his joy while receiving the award, saying that this was unique and special, coming from TRA. “We are committed to full compliance in tax payment, and this recognition from TRA demonstrates this”, He said. “Today marks the day our founder, the late Edmond van Tongeren, was born and this award is a befitting honour as it affirms the values he set for our group of companies”, Mr Sambu added.

In addition to this TRA award for tax compliance, SGA also won the Consumer Choice Awards Africa award for being the Most Trusted and Equipped Security Services Provider in Eastern Africa recently. The company that employs 6,000 employees in Tanzania was also awarded as the best employer in Zanzibar, showing cooperation to unions and the government authorities there.

Mr Sambu said that private security sector plays a critical role in th3 economy, given the services they offer that compliment the police efforts in maintaining law and order in the country.

He added that he is glad SGA is taking the lead demonstrate that it is possible to do security business with full compliance. He urged other companies to charge the right prices for security services that will enable them take care of employees’ welfare and pay the right taxes and leave enough returns for reinvesting to boost services.

“We are experiencing price wars that make some companies charge unsustainable prices and hence making it hard to pay taxes as per the law”, He added.

While officiating at the event, the Minister of Information and Communication, Hon Nape Nnauye, commended TRA was changing the approach in tax collection by TRA, pointing out that it has resulted in meeting set targets. He added that the collaborative approach was in line with the call by President Samia Suluhu Hassan when she opened the current parliament.

The Minister urged TRA to work on their technology to ensure seamless user experience. He added that tax audit findings need to be realistic and action taken should consider other factors like employee welfare, and future taxes and hence desist from closing businesses.

He commended the stoppage of using task force to collect taxes saying its use was counterproductive and many businesses closed then.