THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has urged heads of regional administration to strengthen districts tax advisory committees for effectiveness in addressing tax-related conflicts.

Yusuph Mwenda, the TRA commissioner general, issued this appeal here over the weekend at a familiarisation visit with local business leaders and regional officials.

He emphasised TRA’s readiness to assist in enabling the committees to function effectively, enhancing revenue collection and sorting out taxpayer compliance disputes.

Regional leaders need to supervise closely to ensure that the committees are effective in supervising tax collections in their areas of jurisdictions, he stated.

He cited Mara Region as pivotal in tax collection both from its economic activities and busy Sirari border post, servicing trade flows with Kenya and Uganda.

Tax advisory committees relate to TRA’s broader strategy to improve tax collection through enhanced taxpayer education, curbing smuggling as part of combating tax evasion, he said.

TRA expects to improve tax collection by enhanced taxpayer education and control of smuggling, ensuring compliance while preventing illegal tax practices, he elaborated.

Col. Evans Mtambi, the regional commissioner, said at the event that businesses often struggle after their founders pass away or there is a policy shifts, explaining the gaps as arising from a lack of business education.

Urged TRA to find friendly ways to support business growth, he said the agency needs to explore ways to provide business education, build a solid foundations for enterprises to ensure their sustainability. This will prevent frequent enterprise closures which impacts on government revenues, the administrator intimated.

A more workable procedure for delivery and maintenance of electronic fiscal devices (EFDs) would ensure their constant availability, quick repair if damaged, helping to reduce loopholes for bribes and tax evasion, he said.

TRA also needs to closely monitor tax payments in small-scale mining operations to ensure comprehensive government revenue collection, while polishing its strategies to address the smuggling of minerals.

“I commend the TRA staff at the Sirari Customs Post for their efforts in combating smuggling,” the RC stated, vowing greater liaisons between the regional security committee with anti-smuggling initiatives at the border post.