Kariakoo is the busiest trading centre in Dar es Salaam, which attracts both local and foreign buyers and sellers, and the taxman wants to ensure everyone doing business in that area, regardless of the size of the business, must be registered and given the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
The new campaign will involve the registration of small traders so that they start using the Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) and the placement of posters inside the market with messages encouraging the issuance of receipts after selling every item.
TRA’s Kariakoo branch now seeks to collect Sh19.5 billion in taxes this month through the campaign, which also emphasizes issuing valid receipts.
“We have decided to come up with this strategy because there are traders who deliberately avoid paying taxes and instead use small traders (Machinga) to sell their products. If you look at it in reality, you will find that the sales by those Machingas are more than Sh4 million—the minimum amount of sales required to pay tax,” said the Kariakoo regional manager, Mr Alex Katundu.
Mr Katundu added that the government has decided that every person doing business in that area whose annual sales reach Sh4 million must start using EFD.
It is reported that more people from across East and Central Africa flock to Kariakoo to buy various items during the festive season.
Mr Katundu said the Kariakoo tax region has registered a total of 5,370 small traders in the current financial year in the Kariakoo area.
“We educate them on the importance of formalizing their business,” he said.
Speaking to The Citizen yesterday, a small trader, Ms Gaudensia Chuwa, who sells clothes, said she decided to formalize her business to enable her to get various opportunities, such as loans.
“Many small business operators refuse to register their businesses because they don’t want to pay taxes, but if the business grows, you won’t stay in the same group, so paying taxes is inevitable,” she said.
Another small trader, Mr Lazaro Mambo, said that during the Christmas season, customers demand receipts, so he decided to formalize it to avoid the inconveniences.
“Business here in Kariakoo has just started this week. People from different countries want to buy clothes and shoes,” he added.
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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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