By Alfred Zacharia
Songwe Regional Commissioner, Mr. Jabir Omari Makame, has urged residents to work closely with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the government in exposing individuals involved in smuggling and tax evasion, warning that such practices undermine national revenue collection and slow economic growth.
He made the call on August 13, 2025, when meeting TRA officials led by the Songwe Regional Manager, CPA Rashid Harith, who visited his office to introduce themselves ahead of a regionwide campaign to educate the public on changes to tax laws for the 2025/26 financial year.
Mr. Makame stressed that citizen cooperation is critical to safeguarding Tanzania’s borders and enabling TRA to meet its revenue targets.
“With the support of law-abiding citizens and security agencies, we will continue to curb smuggling in order to protect our borders and ensure that TRA collects the right taxes for national development,” he said.
He appealed to residents to report those engaged in illicit trade, noting that paying taxes is a civic responsibility that directly supports public services.
“When we pay taxes, we are deciding the kind of Tanzania we want to build—we are choosing to improve health care, education, road infrastructure, and other essential services,” he said.
The RC commended TRA for reaching out to business owners and residents to explain legal changes, saying public awareness is key to improving compliance.
He encouraged taxpayers to meet their obligations voluntarily, without coercion, and to view tax compliance as an investment in the country’s future.
TRA’s Taxpayer Education Manager, CPA Paul Walalaze, said the authority, through its Taxpayer Education and Communication Department—has institutionalised annual public engagement at the start of every financial year.
The initiative uses seminars and radio programs to inform business owners and the public about updates in the Finance Act 2025.
He noted that among the key amendments is the Income Tax Act, which now features changes in the filing of returns and corporate tax assessments.
“Our goal is to ensure taxpayers understand these changes and can comply with ease and accuracy,” he said.
Traders who attended the meeting welcomed the outreach, pledging to continue paying taxes on time.
They called on TRA to sustain education programs to help taxpayers meet obligations and avoid compliance challenges.
The push for stronger tax compliance comes as the government intensifies revenue mobilisation efforts to finance infrastructure development, social services, and other priority projects under the 2025/26 budget.