THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has launched a nationwide listing of online businesses. Yusuph Mwenda, the TRA commissioner general, made this affirmation at the launch event in Dar es Salaam yesterday, reiterating concerns over unregistered online enterprises, urging operators to register and comply with tax obligations.

He was particular about those renting out properties on platforms like Airbnb plus online traders generating significant income but remaining outside tax remittance, stating that the campaign will focus on those earning over 4m/- annually.

They will be liable to pay 100,000/- yearly, while tax payments to be imposed will reflect the income and capital of each business, he said, setting a registration deadline of September 1 for online accommodation rentals, chiefly.

While seeking compliance from other e-commerce operators, TRA promised to reward whistleblowers providing credible information on tax evasion, with 3.0 percent of the recovered tax revenue.

“Everyone liable to pay tax will do so according to their ability and capital. Our role is to facilitate business, ensuring no one is unfairly treated in tax collection,” the tax regulator intoned.

Business facilitation units will be set up in tax regions to streamline business registration and resolve taxpayer challenges, thereby promoting voluntary compliance, he said, similarly encouraging online payments.

TRA has reduced the value added tax (VAT) rate from 18percent to 16 percent for taxpayers who make payments through online platforms, he said, setting September 1 as the start of application of this reduction.

 Dr Kedmon Mapana, executive secretary for the Tanzania Arts Council (BASATA), praised the integration of BASATA’s systems with TRA’s digital platforms, as it has simplified registration and tax payments in the creative sector.

John Daffa, an official of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) sounded out that TCRA, as the registrar of online platforms and communication firms, will closely work with TRA to ensure compliance in the digital economy.

“Every Tanzanian should take pride in voluntarily paying taxes and contributing to the nation’s development,” he said. The campaign marks a crucial step in formalising Tanzania’s rapidly growing online economy and ensuring sustainable revenue collection for national development, he added.