Tanzania's TRA lets indebted businesses pay taxes in instalments
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Jamhurimedia
Tanzania's tax authority, the TRA, is allowing businesses with tax debts to continue operating and settle what they owe through instalments. Its leadership backed the policy after President Samia Suluhu Hassan instructed it to halt business closures and coercive collection operations, reaffirming it on 19 October 2026 in Kilombero, according to JamhuriMedia.
The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) now allows businesses behind on their payments to continue operating while settling their tax debts in instalments. Its commissioner general, Yusuph Mwenda, reaffirmed the measure on 19 October 2026 during a visit to Kilombero, in the Morogoro region, reports JamhuriMedia.
Mwenda assured traders that no business would be closed solely because its owner could not pay their taxes immediately. He also said that the TRA would support them through tax education initiatives. The approach aims, he said, to allow businesses to continue generating revenue while repaying their arrears.
The measure breaks with the previous practice of closing businesses in default, a method criticised by taxpayers who said it reduced their ability to repay and deprived the state of revenue. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan had banned the use of special units for tax collection and business closures, says JamhuriMedia.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
