Arusha. The East African Community (EAC) has urged Partner States to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, tax-data sharing and integrated systems to boost revenue collection and make cross-border trade more efficient.
EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi said greater regional cooperation was critical to creating a more taxpayer-friendly environment, reducing bureaucracy and improving revenue administration.
Ambassador Mbundi made the remarks when he met a delegation from the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) during its visit to the EAC headquarters in Arusha.
He said the EAC was encouraging Partner States to embrace technology and strengthen the exchange of tax information to simplify compliance, particularly for businesses engaged in cross-border trade.
‘Regional cooperation is important in strengthening revenue collection, particularly through the use of technology, information sharing and the integration of systems,’ he said.
Mr Mbundi said digital systems could simplify tax processes, reduce bureaucratic procedures, improve access to timely information and enhance services for taxpayers
CATA president Dr Abu Tariq Jamaluddin said tax administrations needed to accelerate the adoption of technology and innovation to improve revenue collection and taxpayer services. He said the delegation had been impressed by innovations being implemented in East Africa, particularly digital systems aimed at simplifying tax processes and improving services to taxpayers.
Dr Jamaluddin commended Tanzania, through the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), for its efforts to develop taxpayer-friendly systems and create an environment that facilitates tax compliance.
He also stressed the importance of cooperation and knowledge-sharing among tax administrations, saying the approach would help drive innovation and improve the efficiency of tax administration.
TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda said during the visit, heads of tax administrations exchanged experiences on the use of technology, innovation and improvements in revenue collection systems. “The delegation was also briefed on the implementation of the EAC Single Customs Territory, which facilitates cooperation among customs administrations in Partner States and seeks to streamline the movement of goods and improve the efficiency of cross-border trade”.
Mr Mwenda said the visit had given tax commissioners an opportunity to learn from the EAC’s experience in using technology, sharing information and strengthening customs systems. He said such measures contributed to improving revenue collection efficiency while facilitating trade across the region.
Mr Mwenda said discussions during the CATA meeting would provide lessons that could help improve tax services and revenue administration in Tanzania.
He added that the TRA would continue to draw on knowledge and experience gained through its participation in CATA to improve taxpayer services, simplify tax compliance and strengthen domestic revenue collection.
The visit was part of the 46th CATA conference being held in Arusha from October 5 to 9, bringing together tax commissioners and other officials to exchange experiences on revenue administration, leadership and institutional reforms.