Build culture of paying taxes, urges Shein

ABDALLAH MSUYA in Zanzibar

Zanzibar president,Dr Ali Mohamed Shein

PRESIDENT Ali Mohamed Shein has called on all Zanzibaris to build a culture of demanding receipts for every purchase or payment made.

He also asked business establishments to operate with integrity by ensuring that they issue official receipts for business conducted and pay due taxes to the government.

In his Eid’l Adha message to the public, Dr Shein reminded the public that it was the obligation of every citizen to observe and abide with the laws of the country, including tax laws.

“Businessmen are obliged to issue official receipts and citizens are obliged to demand receipts when selling and purchasing goods or services. That’s how the law stipulates,” recalled the President, adding that the move seeks to improve and control government revenues.

Dr Shein told the audience at Eid’l Adha Baraza that religions insist about integrity in business, hence issuing of official receipts constitutes an act of integrity between the seller and buyer.

He ordered the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) and other relevant authorities to educate businessmen and the public on the importance of issuing and asking legal receipts in any transaction.

The Isles Head of State noted that improving tax collection was key to the achieving the country’s development programmes and provision of better service to the citizen.

“Citizens have the obligation to cooperate with our institutions so that these organisations make huge contribution towards increasing opportunities, revenues as well as increase efficiency in the implementation of their duties,” urged Dr Shein.

“Every one of us should feel he/she has a share in all government corporations and institutions and contribute towards their good performance,” he added. According to President Shein, fast and sustainable socio-economic growth will only be realised if people will respect and observe the country’s laws and constitution.

“It’s obvious that if everyone of us will take into account and abide by the laws, our society will make a big and fast step in economic and social development,” he said. Looking to implement reforms and improve social services, the Zanzibar govt has projected 1.08tril budget for the 2017/18 fiscal year.

With over 120bn increases from the previous year’s 840bn/, tax collectors have an extra task to beef up the government coffers. Among the organs with a big role to play is ZRB and TRA. While the Isles tax body has been tasked with raising 396bn/- from 272bn/- of last year, TRA is expected to contribute 258 bn/.

To achieve the target, Zanzibar has amended tax laws, which among other key changes it has introduced mandatory use of EFD machines. The machines will be on use from November.