KAGERA: THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in Kagera Region managed to collect a total of 92.301bn/- in six months between July and December 2024, a performance rate of 114 per cent.
Kagera TRA Regional Manager Mr Castro John said the regional revenue target for the period was 80.987bn/- .
Expounding, he said the Domestic Revenue Department (DRD) target during 2024/25 financial year was to collect 53.119bn/-, while actual collections stood at 27.851bn/-, implying 107 per cent performance.
The Customs and Exercise Department (CED), on the other hand, targeted to collect 110.946bn/- in six months but managed to collect 64.477bn/-, an equivalent of 117 per cent performance, he said.
Other sources of revenue collections include direct taxes where TRA targeted to collect 23.730bn/- between July and December, last year but managed to collect 25.726bn/-, an equivalent of 108 per cent performance.
According to Mr John, during 2024/25 financial year, TRA in the region anticipates to collect a total of 164.065bn/-.
Commenting on the achievement, Mr John said that among other factors, increased payment of taxes resulted from audits and arrears, where for the period of July-December, 2024, TRA managed to collect 1.584bn/- from the audit and 3.979bn/ from the debts.
This was due to close monitoring of taxpayers, he said, adding that during the same period, TRA also managed to collect 29.601bn/- from increased importation of goods through the borders.
The Regional Manager explained that the increase in control of smuggling due to patrols improved Customs and Excise collections.
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During the six months TRA recorded 48 interceptions, managing to collect about 48.9m/-. Other strategies include conducting seminars where 1,687 taxpayers were reached, formation of tax clubs and frequent reminders by test messages, adverts through local radios and public vehicle announcements, door to door programmes, exhibition, team spirit by all employees and support from government institutions.
Mr John appealed to Tanzanians to pay taxes as required by the law to enhance economic growth and avoid unnecessary inconveniences that may occur due to noncompliance.
All business people must ensure that they pay the rightful taxes on time. This will enable the government to render the necessary services including health, education and other sectors.
“TRA calls upon taxpayers and the public at large to always issue and demand electronic receipts (EFDs) for every purchase of goods and services and to verify the authenticity of Electronic Tax Stamps (ETS) on products,” he urged.
