According to the Tanzania revenue Authority, (TRA) Turky’s assets will be seized should he fail the tax payment for the Marcedes Benz G wagon which he imported in January, 2022.
Speaking to Reporters TRA’s deputy commissioner Juma Bakary Hassan said the businessman on October 3,had requested to pay the taxes in installments, something that the taxman has rejected.
“We have instructed him to pay as required by the law and should he fail to do so we shall seize his property through his guarantor to ensure that government tax is paid,” said the deputy commissioner.
According to the authority’s official, apart from the car, Turky’s bag company also owes TRA some Sh170.5 million.
Tax exemption applications which he applied for have been rejected twice by the minister of state in the President’s Office, finance and planning despite being approved by the executive director of the Zanzibar Investment Promotions Authority (ZIPA) Sharif Ali Sharif.
TRA says that the car was released to the businessman before completing tax payments after he was guaranteed by a financial institution as they continued to process a tax exemption through the Zanzibar Bag Factory project.
The officials, however, say they did not allow the businessman to use the car, instead he was allowed to take it away from the port to avoid attracting further port charges.
Zanzibar’s finance and planning Minister Dr Saada Mkuya said the tax exemption was rejected because it was in violation of the investment laws of Zanzibar.
Tax exemption in Zanzibar is granted to an investor during the construction of the project and not after the project is completed.
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Tanzania: Exim to Raise Fund for Mental Health Facilities Upgrades
EXIM Bank to raise 300m/- over the next three years for financing essential services and infrastructure upgrades in mental health facilities.
The bank’s Head of Marketing and Communications Stanley Kafu unveiled this when introducing Exim Bima Festival 2024 as a platform for bringing together individuals, organisations and various sectors for raising the funds.
“Exim’s initiative aligns with the government’s broader goals to ensure that every citizen has access to quality healthcare, including mental health services,” he said.
The initiative, which is one of the events for celebrating the bank’s 27th anniversary is scheduled for Wednesday this week in Dar es Salaam.
Mr Kafu highlights that this year’s festival is not only about raising awareness of the importance of insurance in the society but also focuses on enhancing access to mental health services and improving the overall well-being of the nation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health shows a staggering 82 per cent increase in mental health cases over the past decade.
Mental cases have risen from 386,358 in 2012 to 2,102,726 in 2021, making the need for mental health services more urgent than ever.
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Unfortunately, the country’s ability to address this growing challenge is hindered by a shortage of mental health professionals, infrastructure, medical equipment and essential medication.
For example, out of the 28 regions in the country, only five have facilities that provide adequate mental health services.
The most affected group is the youth aged 15 to 39, who represent the nation’s workforce, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to safeguard this generation for Tanzania’s future well-being and development.
Mr Kafu said by improving mental health services, Exim aims to contribute to the creation of a network of communities that can access care quickly and affordably.
Exim Insurance Department Manager Tike Mwakyoma said they are appreciating the support from partners in the insurance industry, who have stood by them since the last festival.
“Let’s continue this unity for the development of all Tanzanians and our nation as a whole,” the manager said.
Source: allafrica.com
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