The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has rolled out a countrywide initiative to help informal traders formalize their businesses through the establishment of service desks in all regions and districts.
TRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, announced the move on August 22, 2025, at a meeting with chief executives from various companies in Tanzania.
The meeting, held in Dar es Salaam, was organized in partnership with the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF).
Mr. Mwenda said the introduction of business facilitation desks aims to simplify registration for unregistered businesses, widen the tax base, and create a fairer system that could eventually reduce tax rates.
“There is still a significant level of tax evasion compared to the tax contribution to the national GDP, which remains below 15 percent lower than most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he noted.
He stressed that TRA will continue taking legal action against tax evaders, emphasizing that the authority is not against foreign traders but against any business that fails to comply with the law.
The Commissioner General also reminded operators of online accommodation services such as Airbnb to register before September 1, 2025, while those running other online businesses must register by January 1, 2026.
TPSF Executive Director, Mr. Raphaely Maganga, urged TRA to sustain its efforts in educating traders on the importance of voluntary compliance, saying it will help reduce tax rates in the future.
The meeting forms part of TRA’s broader strategy to strengthen relations with the private sector, address compliance challenges, and build a culture of voluntary tax payment among businesses across all sectors.