A total of 7.53trn/- in revenues was collected in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year, the January to March period, top officials say.

Yusuph Mwenda, the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) commissioner general, made this affirmation in a statement issued in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, detailing revenue performance since the start of the current financial year.

Collections surpassed the set revenue targets, a milestone in ongoing efforts to improve tax collection, he said, indicating that collections for the quarter attained 101.32 percent of the target at 7.43tr/-, a 13.47 percent increase from 6.63trn/- in the same period for fiscal 2023/2024, he stated.

TRA performance exceeded the target for six consecutive months, while collections during the entire July to March period has been ‘historic,’ the statement asserted, pointing at a total of 24.05trn/-, well above the 23.21trn.- target set earlier, representing a success rate of 103.62 percent.

“This is an increase of 17.01 percent compared to the 20.55trn/- collected during the same period last year,” it said, elaborating that the revenues represent a 77 percent increase over the 13.59trn/- collected in the same period for fiscal 2020/2021.

He alluded to the positive impact of President Samia Suluhu Hassan in driving voluntary tax compliance and strengthening TRA’s operational capacity.

“The government’s focus on enhancing the business environment and improving services for taxpayers contributed significantly to this achievement,” he stated, underlining that this makes business operations more efficient and transparent across the country.

He emphasised TRA’s ongoing tax education campaigns for awareness of tax obligations, promoting compliance and providing the public with accessible channels for reporting and paying taxes.

Government efforts to improve the business environment through policy reforms like reducing barriers to trade and investment have played a key role in increasing the flow of goods and services through customs, further bolstering tax revenue, he said.

TRA initiated system improvements aimed at improving efficiency, after installing an enhanced customs management system (TANCIS) early last year.

It has streamlined the monitoring and collection of customs duties, proving to be crucial in reducing delays at the country’s border points, ensuring quicker clearance of goods, and minimizing the risk of tax evasion, the statement noted.

Widespread use of electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) demands “working closely with businesses to encourage the use of these devices,” as they help to ensure accurate reporting and payment of taxes.

“As of now, thousands of businesses across Tanzania have integrated EFDs into their operations, further improving tax compliance,” it said, underlining that TRA was focused on improving relations with taxpayers, especially small and medium-sized businesses.

“Our goal is to create an ecosystem where businesses feel supported and in turn, they are motivated to fulfil their tax obligations,” the CEO intoned.