By The Respondents Reporter
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) for its strong performance in tax administration, saying ongoing reforms have improved efficiency, strengthened compliance, and increased voluntary tax payments across the country.
The appreciation was made by an IMF delegation led by Mr. Nicolas Blancher during talks with TRA leadership headed by Deputy Commissioner General Mr. Mcha Hassan Mcha. The meeting took place on May 4, 2026, at TRA headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
The IMF team noted that TRA has made significant progress in improving tax collection systems, which has helped stabilize revenue performance and reduce complaints from taxpayers.
According to the delegation, these improvements reflect growing trust between taxpayers and the tax authority, supported by more transparent and efficient service delivery.
The Fund also observed that the increase in voluntary compliance is a positive sign for Tanzania’s fiscal stability, noting that better tax administration is helping the government mobilize domestic resources to finance development priorities such as health, education, infrastructure, and industrial growth.
Mr. Blancher said the IMF is ready to continue working closely with TRA to strengthen institutional capacity.
He highlighted key areas of support including tax administration in production and industrial sectors, as well as strategies to formalize the informal sector, which still plays a major role in the economy.
He further said the IMF will support TRA in building technical skills, including training officials on customs laboratory operations and improving systems that encourage voluntary tax compliance.
These initiatives, he said, are aimed at making tax administration more modern, efficient, and taxpayer-friendly.
On his part, TRA Deputy Commissioner General Mr. Mcha Hassan Mcha welcomed the IMF’s support, saying the partnership has played an important role in improving staff skills and enhancing service delivery to taxpayers.
He said TRA will continue to prioritize capacity building and reforms that simplify tax processes, widen the tax base, and reduce compliance costs for citizens and businesses.
Mr. Mcha added that the long-standing cooperation between TRA and IMF has delivered tangible results in strengthening revenue collection systems and improving efficiency.
He reaffirmed TRA’s commitment to building a fair, transparent, and service-oriented tax system that supports national development while ensuring taxpayers are treated with respect and fairness.
