The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has enlisted its retired employees as Tax Ambassadors in a move aimed at strengthening voluntary tax compliance and deepening public awareness of the role tax revenue plays in financing the country's development.
Speaking during a ceremony to honour retired TRA staff in Dar es Salaam on Friday, Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda said the former employees possess invaluable experience that can help promote a stronger tax-paying culture across the country.
The event formed part of activities marking TRA's 30th anniversary since its establishment and preceded the President's Best Taxpayer Awards, which will be presented on July 1 at the Mlimani City Conference Centre.
Mr Mwenda said the authority's achievements over the past three decades were built on the dedication and professionalism of both current and former employees.
"We have invited you here to express our gratitude for the contribution you made in building TRA over the past 30 years. The progress we celebrate today would not have been possible without the foundation you helped establish," he said.
He said Tanzania has recorded remarkable progress in domestic revenue mobilisation, enabling the government to finance an increasing share of its development programmes through locally generated resources.
Mr Mwenda urged the retirees to use their expertise and credibility within their communities to educate citizens on the importance of paying taxes and encourage voluntary compliance, describing them as trusted advocates who can help broaden the country's tax base.
Chairperson of the TRA Retirees Association, Julius Ceazar, welcomed the initiative and commended the authority for maintaining strong growth in tax collection, saying the performance reflects the institution's continued commitment to improving tax administration.
He said retirees take pride in having contributed to the institution's development over the past three decades and were encouraged by the increasingly positive relationship between TRA and taxpayers, which has strengthened voluntary compliance.
"We are proud to have been part of TRA's journey over the last 30 years. The trust that has been built between the authority and taxpayers is encouraging more people to meet their tax obligations voluntarily," Mr Ceazar said.
The retirees accepted their new role as Tax Ambassadors and pledged to discharge their responsibilities with integrity and professionalism, supporting TRA's efforts to expand tax education and strengthen revenue collection for national development.
