JPM:Taxation must not be burdensome
PRESIDENT John Magufuli has tongue-lashed the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) for pursuing aggressive strategies that push taxpayers beyond the boundaries of acceptable tax collections saying paying taxes should be an honourable obligation rather than a burden. He directed Minister in charge of Finance and Planning as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry to help seek an end to the challenges facing TRA and help improve relationships with taxpayers. Expressing deep concern over the way TRA was fixing tax rates, the Head of State wanted everyone to pay fair taxes. He cited an example whereby TRA were charging property owners up to 900,000/- as property tax while the government had directed the authority to fix flat rates for all owners. “I have been informed how the authority is harassing people paying property tax. The government harmonised the system allowing a rational amount to be paid as property tax. Unfortunately, taxpayers are still being mistreated,” he remarked.