Nuisance taxes under scrutiny

THE government is in the process of working on complaints from investors and business people, on nuisance taxes for the purpose of creating conducive business environment.

The Minister for Finance and Planning, Dr Philip Mpango, said the government would ensure the country’s tax system does not stifle the private sector, making investors and the business community unable to pay taxes.

“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the tax system allows businesses to grow and prosper, allowing them to remit taxes that will enable the government provide the public services that they deserve,” he explained when he visited the Industrial exhibitions at Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) grounds in the city yesterday.

Dr Mpango urged investors and the business community to forward to his ministry their tax recommendations so that they can be evaluated and incorporated into next year’s financial budget plans.

“We are currently in the planning process of tax adjustments and income sources for next year’s financial budget 2017/18. We, therefore, call on anyone with complaints, recommendations, ideas on any tax to present it to the Ministry of Finance and Planning,” Dr Mpango said.

He explained that the government’s aim was to ensure that every Tanzanian assumes the responsibility and importance of paying taxes, “you cannot demand electricity, water, drugs and other services when you are not paying taxes.”

He added: “This is an opportunity for those with tax complaints … I cannot change any tax right now because it is in place legally but we are now receiving recommendations, ideas and complaints so that we can improve the situation in the next year’s budget.”

Dr Mpango, however, urged Tanzania to continue questioning the government and its institutions whenever there is misuse of public funds, stressing that the culprits will be dealt with accordingly.

“We are tired of poverty … 55 years of independence is a long time to continue living in poverty. Other countries reversed the situation in just 20 years. We, including the youth, must resolve to work hard,” Dr Mpango said, when addressing the youth at the DITF grounds.

He underscored the importance of Tanzania to change their attitudes and embrace Tanzania-made products to boost the nation’s economy. More than 400 industries took part in the exhibitions that were expected to be closed yesterday.

Daily News