By Charles Mkoka
DAR ES SALAAM, July 1 – Tanzanian President Hon. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan has launched the country's first-ever Presidential Taxpayer Award and called for sweeping reforms to modernise the tax system, broaden the tax base and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation as the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) marked its 30th anniversary.
Speaking at a nationally televised event that was also screened live to TRA centres across all regions and districts, as well as to members of the public, Hon. Dr. Samia said taxpayers who comply with their obligations deserved national recognition for helping build the country's economic independence.
"We are sending a message to all taxpayers that the government recognises, values and respects your contribution to nation-building," she said after presenting the inaugural awards to top-performing taxpayers.
The president said the creation of TRA three decades ago was aimed not merely at collecting taxes but at enabling Tanzania to finance its development agenda through domestic resources and make independent decisions on public spending.
"Tanzania collects its revenues and decides for itself how to use them. That is something we should be proud of," she said.
Hon. Dr. Samia said the global economic environment, characterised by declining aid flows, stricter borrowing conditions and growing public spending needs, had made domestic revenue mobilisation more important than ever.
"No country can plan and implement its development agenda without a strong and trusted tax system," she said.
The president revealed that a comprehensive review of Tanzania's tax system, commissioned in July 2024, had produced recommendations to create a fairer, simpler, and more transparent framework that encourages voluntary compliance.
She said the reforms would underpin the country's long-term development ambitions and help build an increasingly self-reliant economy.
TRA has also begun implementing its seventh strategic plan, designed to strengthen the institution, improve efficiency and modernise tax administration systems.
However, Her Excellency cautioned that the success of the new strategy should not be measured by the number of new offices, vehicles or computers acquired.
"The real measure of success is whether taxpayers receive better services and whether national revenues continue to grow," she said.
The president urged tax officials to rely on technology, professionalism and integrity rather than coercive methods when dealing with businesses.
"Let us not use force or harass traders. Let us use knowledge, technology, professionalism and integrity in revenue collection," she said.
She also pledged that the government would continue improving the business environment, attract more investment and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to expand the country's tax base.
Emphasising the moral dimension of taxation, Hon. Dr. Samia said paying taxes was not only a legal obligation but also a patriotic and ethical duty supported by religious teachings.
"Paying taxes is patriotism and honour. Tax evasion is betrayal and should never be a source of pride," she said.
The president praised TRA Commissioner General Yusuf Mwenda, former commissioners, staff and taxpayers for their contribution to the institution's growth over the past three decades.
She concluded by reminding Tanzanians that taxes ultimately return to citizens in the form of public services and development projects.
"Taxes are not money that leaves the people and disappears into government. They come back to citizens through services and development," she said.
The Tanzania Revenue Authority was established in 1995 and has become one of the government's principal institutions for financing development through domestic revenue collection.
