Dar es Salaam. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) for its performance in tax administration, citing improvements in tax compliance, business facilitation and support for investment.
The remarks were made during a meeting between an IMF delegation led by Thabo Letjama and TRA’s management, headed by Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda, in Dar es Salaam.
During the discussions, Letjama said the IMF was satisfied with the authority’s performance and praised TRA for maintaining sound tax administration while promoting a conducive environment for trade and investment.
The IMF delegation noted that TRA had strengthened its engagement with taxpayers, helping to improve trust and voluntary tax compliance.
It pledged to continue strengthening cooperation with the revenue authority in areas of tax administration, trade facilitation and investment promotion.
Commissioner General Mwenda said TRA had further enhanced its relationship with taxpayers across the country, leading to a significant increase in voluntary tax compliance and improved revenue collection.
He said the authority had also intensified efforts to broaden the tax base by registering new taxpayers while supporting business activities and wider economic growth.
Mwenda added that TRA continued to modernise its digital tax systems to improve efficiency and service delivery.
He cited the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS) for domestic taxes and the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS) for customs administration as key platforms supporting the authority’s operations.
He also reaffirmed TRA’s commitment to working closely with the IMF to further strengthen tax governance and improve tax administration.
As part of those efforts, Mwenda said the authority would continue ensuring the timely processing of Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds for eligible taxpayers, a measure aimed at supporting business liquidity and enhancing investor confidence.
The meeting underscores continued cooperation between the IMF and Tanzania as the country pursues reforms to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, improve tax administration and create a more favourable environment for investment and economic growth.
