The Institute of Tax Administration (ITA), an institution under the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), on Friday, June 19, 2026, hosted the Second Tax Symposium in Dar es Salaam, bringing together stakeholders from taxation, business and development sectors to reflect on TRA’s achievements over the past 30 years and discuss future prospects for strengthening the country’s tax system.

Speaking at the symposium, the Commissioner General of TRA, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, said the Authority’s achievements since its establishment on July 1, 1996, have been made possible through strong collaboration between the Government, taxpayers and the business community. He noted that continuous engagement with stakeholders has played a key role in shaping reforms aimed at improving the tax system and creating a more conducive environment for business growth.

Mwenda said the symposium is part of the pre-anniversary activities marking TRA’s 30 years of existence, and serves as an important platform for dialogue on building a modern, efficient and inclusive tax administration system. He emphasized the importance of promoting voluntary tax compliance, expanding the tax base and strengthening cooperation between TRA and taxpayers.

He further highlighted significant institutional progress over the past three decades, noting that TRA has expanded its workforce from fewer than 500 employees in 1996 to more than 8,800 currently. This growth, he said, has enhanced service delivery and improved the Authority’s capacity to manage and administer revenue collection more effectively.

The Commissioner General also pointed out that tax revenue performance has grown significantly, rising from TZS 538 billion in the 1996/97 financial year to over TZS 32.3 trillion in the most recent financial year. He attributed this achievement to economic growth, improved compliance levels, strengthened administrative systems and increased trust between taxpayers and the Authority.

The Second Tax Symposium brought together government officials, tax experts, business leaders and development partners, who engaged in discussions on TRA’s milestones over the past 30 years while also exploring strategies and opportunities to further strengthen Tanzania’s tax system for sustainable development in the years ahead.