Electronic tax payment system coming

THE Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) is in the process of introducing a new system that will enable tax payments to be made electronically from any bank in the country or through the internet by the end of next month.

The system, asy-banks, which is an extension of the current system of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA++), is expected to further simplify tax payment procedures in the country.

Southern and Eastern Africa Technical ASYCUDA Centre (SEATAC), Technical Coordinator, Mr Denis Berger revealed this on Wednesday when briefing the Norwegian Vice-Minister for Cooperation, Ms Anne Stenhammer, on the project’s activities.

“The asy-banks will further improve clearance time and reduce the payment hustles to taxpayers thus further facilitate trade in the country,” he explained.

Mr Berger also said that TRA was introducing a procedure using a new web application (asy-scan), which will enable the authority to receive all documents electronically.

The Norwegian Vice-Minister, who is attending the conference on Aid for Trade in the city, visited TRA to assess the activities of the 800,000 US Dollar project, that her government is funding.

Ms Stenhammer said she was considering extending funding for two more years. The Norwegian government has provided funds for the first two years of the project which end this year.

Though she did not make promises, Ms Stenhammer said, “I am satisfied with the project. I think they’re doing a great job and the government needs this kind of system to have control of the revenue for national development.”

“When I go back to Norway is when we can brainstorm and see the possibility of extending the funds for another two years,” she added.

Outlining the achievements of ASYCUDA+ + system implementation, Mr Bereger said customs clearance time has been reduced from eight days in 2004 to one day for 69 per cent of the goods.

He added that revenue has also been increased by 45 per cent at the airport and by 31 per cent at the port between 2004 and 2006.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS