Sh17 trillion revenue collection target will be met-Govt

Deputy Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Ashatu Kijaji, has said the government will meet and surpass the Sh17 trillion revenue collection target for 2017/18 financial year.

Last week Tanzania Revenue Authority reported that it had collected Sh3.65 trillion in the first quarter of the current financial year which is equivalent to 21.3 per cent, raising fear on whether the target would be met.  

But on Friday, October 20, Dr Kijaji told TRA officials during her visit in Shinyanga TRA offices that the government was expecting to employ 400 more people in order to address staff shortage facing the Authority.

“With this increased workforce, hopefully, more tax payers will be reached, therefore increasing our ability to collect more revenue,” she said.

She said the number of staffs was huge as compared to other government sectors, hoping that collected revenue will increase implementation of development projects in the country.

Read: TRA denies reports of sharp drop in collection

TRA regional manager, Mr Jumbe Samson, promised the Deputy minister that they have set strategies including increase tax collection in the mining sector in order to meet their target to collect Sh18 billion.

For his part, TRA acting commissioner general, Mr Beatus Nchota, said the authority would decentralize its operations by opening offices in the districts in its efforts to ensure the Sh17 trillion targets is met.