To make good taxpaying adults, children should be taught tax issues at a young age the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has suggested.
TRA believes that, to cultivate a tax paying culture among Tanzanians, tax related topics should be incorporated in the primary school curriculum.
Hamis Lupenja from TRA’s Tax Payers Education department told reporters yesterday in Mwanza that right from childhood, the public needs to know the significance of tax paying and its relation to the country’s development.
“Tax issues should be taught from primary school level in order to prepare the children to become good taxpayers as grown ups,” Lupenja insisted.
He called on businessmen who use electronic fiscal devises (EFDs) to be honest when issuing receipts to their customers because TRA has received complaints from consumers that some unscrupulous businessmen issue receipts indicating smaller amounts than the actual amount paid for.
He warned of stern legal actions will be taken against businessmen found cheating and fines of up to 5m/- will be levied.
He also appealed to consumers to report such discrepancies to the authorities saying these acts deny the government income which in turn denies the community development and social services entitled to them.
As for traders’ reluctance to adopt the use of EFDs, he maintained that: “The earlier businessmen agree to use the devices the better for them…”’ because “…there is no return as far as the use of the machines is concerned…” and so “…businessmen registered by the TRA and whose annual income exceeds 14m/- must use EFDs.”