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Mbozi tax collection figures impressive
2005-06-12 07:35:25
By Deogratius Kiduduye, PST Mbeya
Good and closer relationships between Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) members, taxpayers and members of the business community have been cited as major factors behind the authority`s impressive tax and revenue collections in Mbozi District in Mbeya Region.
The Mbozi District Commissioner, Daria Rwegasira, said this during a one-day meeting for the business community in the district, held at Tunduma on Thursday.
According to the DC, the district posted a surplus of over 79m/- in tax and revenue collections between July last year and May this year by collecting 8.008bn/- instead of the projected 7.929bn/-.
She said since tax paying is everyone`s obligation, proper collection must be observed so as to boost the government’s capability in providing social services such as construction of schools, health facilities and roads .
``Every eligible taxpayer must comply with tax laws and pay all due taxes because failing to do so is a crime.`` she said, adding that even TRA officials who will provide wrong information that will deny the government its due income for personal gain will also be committing a serious crime.
Underlying the importance of paying taxes, the Tanzania Revenue Authority`s regional manager, Julius Caesar, told participants that it is the government`s responsibility to provide public and social services like education, security and health as well as infrastructure like roads to its people but funding to accomplish all these comes from taxes and revenues.
He said taxes can be classified into four categories direct and indirect taxes, value added taxes (VAT) and Customs and Excise duty adding that direct taxes include Property and Income taxes.
Caesar said although all taxpayers are required by law to pay due taxes, they also have the right to demand public and social services.
``Whenever you feel that you tax estimates have been unfair or excessive, you have the right to appeal to either TRA, the Revenue Referral Board or the Tax Tribunal as stipulated by the Tax Tribunal Appeals Act of 2000.`` he said.
He said the authority in the region has charted out strategies to boost tax and revenue collection. These include putting emphasis on the ongoing taxpayers education through seminars and the media.
``We are also strengthening efforts to register all eligible taxpayers for Taxpayers` Identification Number (TIN) while decentralizing our services through the recently opened One Stop Centres in all districts, `` he concluded.
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