Unguja, Zanzibar:
The President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Mwinyi has warned some executives of the Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) who use great force to collect taxes from businessmen asking them to stop that behavior.
Dr. Mwinyi made the statement today Thursday December 29, 2022 during the celebration of the peak of gratitude and happiness for the taxpayer in 2021/22 held at the Golden Tulip Unguja hotel in parallel with giving 41 awards to the best businessmen in tax matters.
“There are reports that some executives are using a lot of force to collect taxes, I want them to stop immediately. Business people should pay the appropriate taxes and the people should demand receipts for the development of the nation,” he said
However, he has used the opportunity to congratulate the board and explain how satisfied he is with his collection of income, unlike the previous period.
“Let’s not be critical all the time, for several months I clearly expressed my dissatisfaction with ZRB’s conduct, but today I stand in public to say that I am very satisfied with tax collection and the steps you are taking, congratulations,” said Dr. Mwinyi
He said that for the period from July to November this year, the board was scheduled to collect Sh238 billion, but it has collected Sh236. 3 billion equal to 99.1 percent which is an increase of 67.9 percent compared to collections of Sh141 billion for the same period last year.
He said that the direction they are going with as a nation is good which will enable them to achieve the goals set in the CCM manifesto to collect Sh1.5 trillion by 2025, “I congratulate the commissioner (Juma Yussuf Mwenda) for holding power and doing a good job.”
Mwenda started working at ZRB in March 2022 after President Mwinyi canceled the appointment of Salum Yussuf Ali.
And Commissioner Mwenda has said that the success has been achieved due to several reasons including the growth of the economy, the awareness of businessmen to pay taxes and good management.
“We have provided education to 442 taxpayers and reached 456 businesses, but more than that we have provided assistance to 580 poor households and medical equipment in Mnazimmoja and Abdallah Mzee Pemba hospitals,” he said
The Minister of the Office of the President, Finance and Planning, Dr. Saada Mkuya, has said that they have made several improvements, including a practical one.
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