ZANTEL INKS DEAL WITH ZANZIBAR REVENUE BOARD ON TAX COLLECTION

Zantel and Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) have entered into a partnership that allows tax payers in Zanzibar to pay all of their taxes through Zantel’s mobile money service EzyPesa which is available nationwide.

This partnership allows all ZRB clients including those who are not using Zantel services to be able to make their tax payments without any hassles.

This also means that local taxpayers will now be able to conveniently pay their respective taxes including Customs and Excise taxes such as: Import Duty, Excise Duty, Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and VAT on importation through EzyPesa.

During the signing, Zantel’s Chief Executive Officer, Sherif El-Barbary said the move aims to make the lives of Tax payers in Zanzibar much easier through the use of EzyPesa where they will be able to pay their taxes in a couple of clicks.

He said the move compliments ZRB’s vision which is to be the centre of excellence in collecting tax revenue, it also contributes to the Country’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“If we can be able to maximize Tax collection through EzyPesa, then the GDP will be much better and this will improve the economy of the whole Country, This also indirectly means that the income of the common citizen will as well be better.”

He mentioned that Zantel is one of the biggest tax contributors in Zanzibar and that the Telecom will continue to support the Government of Zanzibar as well as ZRB in ensuring that they continue to collect as much taxes as they can through EzyPesa.

Statistics reveal that Zantel pays Tshs 2billion in taxes to the Government of the Zanzibar every month and Tshs 24billion annually.

“The partnership will enable our tax payers to access our various services at their fingertips” said the Commissioner of Zanzibar Revenue Board, Mr. Amour Hamil Bakari.

He said the main idea is to take Zanzibar Revenue Board (ZRB) services closer to its customers and that this will enable the institution to improve on its daily operations and as well concentrate on finding out other ways of increasing tax collection for Zanzibar.