Mantra Tanzania recognized for loyalty tax payment

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

MANTRA Tanzania was yesterday recognized by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) as the overall winner of the Large Tax Contributor Category within Kinondoni Tax Division during the 2010-2011 financial year.

This was during the TRA Tax Payers’ Day celebration that was graced by the Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Mustapha Mkullo that recognizes and appreciates tax payers for their invaluable contribution to Government’s revenue collection.

Mantra Tanzania, has according to the authority met all the tax requirements  and continued to pay taxes voluntarily even before commencement of the proposed Mkuju River Uranium Mining and processing project in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region that is expected to start late next year.

The Mantra Tanzania Country Manager Assa Mwaipopo during Tax Payers Day celebrations in Dar es Salaam under the theme ‘Pay Tax for Self Dependence’ said his company would continue to play its due diligence including settling of taxes timely and efficiently.

“Taxes play a pivotal role in any country’s revenue collection. Basing on this philosophy, we have managed to pay all the obliged taxes in time since it is such funds that are used to provide better social services.

“My assurance to Government is that Mantra Tanzania will continue to pay taxes diligently as well as ensuring that communities around us live healthy and conducive lives. Such will be made possible through our company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme,” Mwaipopo added.

The TRA commissioner Genaral Harry Kitilya during the event said the authority’s efforts to collect more revenue in form of taxes were still undermined by the culture of some companies and individuals who refuse to pay taxes voluntarily.

“There is need for the business community to develop the culture of paying taxes. We also need to faithful officials to make us achieve the set target.

“Tax defaulting is still a big challenge to us but we shall come up with a concrete plan to fight the vice soon,” he added.

Other notable tax contributors included Trade Links Ltd, Unitrade Ltd, FLP Tanzania Ltd, Ardhi University, Bahkresa and CSI Engineering among others.