if president accept to be taxed, why not you/them?
SEVERAL
analysts have praised President John Magufuli’s administration for taking a
lead role in implementing new income tax measures, saying it would positively
benefit fixed low-income earners
The new tax measures approved by the National
Assembly early this week directs all public leaders, including the president,
to pay five per cent income tax on their gratuity at the end of the terms in
office.
Speaking in separate interviews, political,
academic and economic analysts said the step is positive and a move in the
right direction on efforts to boost revenue collection. A political analyst
with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Professor Kitila Mkumbo, was
concerned that it was extremely wrong for leaders not to be taxed.
“It clearly sets-up transparency in the
government.” More significantly, “the decision by leaders to pay tax is
patriotic indeed,” he told the ‘Daily News’ in a telephone interview.
According to Prof Mkumbo, President Magufuli’s
administration has demonstrated a willy-nilly commitment to ‘walk the talk.’
However, he urged the government to pioneer special mechanisms that will wipe
out biases in gratuity amongst civil servants.
“I feel it is high time matters of public concern
were seriously addressed. It’s actually not well that a senior professor
retiring today gets a mere 40m/- after such a long service while an MP gets
200m/-.”
The analyst had his sentiments shared by Dr
Donath Olomi, an economic analyst, who noted that there was need to have a
clear policy and incorporate the new measures in the constitution.
He said the new income tax arrangement will set a
standard that will automatically help the government to raise funds to benefit
the majority living in abject poverty. Dr Olomi opined that top government
leaders, including the president, vice-president, prime minister and chief
justice, must be paid decently due to their role in servicing the public.
“This again needs a public debate to reach the
same understanding,” he observed. Renowned academician and political analyst,
Professor Mwesiga Baregu, said the new income tax reforms clearly shows a
“bright future for Tanzanians’’.
He cautioned, however, on the sources of income
among leaders now entitled for several allowances. “I advise the government to
also consider if the income tax on gratuity should be converted within the line
of monthly income tax charged by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).
He gave the example of MPs, saying that on top of
monthly salary, they further get access to sitting allowances, per diem and
gratuity. He said the challenge is on the policy and legislation, which begins
with the law making body.
Winding-up debate on the 2016/17 budget proposals
in the National Assembly on Monday, Finance and Planning Minister Dr Philip
Mpango announced that the new income tax measures will also include the
Vice-President, Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly.
Others include the Deputy Speaker, Attorney
General, Chief Justice, cabinet ministers and their deputies as well as permanent
secretaries and Clerk of the National Assembly.
Ugandan socialite Zari is undeniably hot and Diamond Platnumz cannot be blamed for going kookoo for her, Besides her looks, she is also ambitious and rich. Born on 23rd of September 1980, Zari grew up in Jinja and after high school she moved Kampala where she performed karaoke in hang-outs. She later moved to London and acquired a diploma in cosmetology. She now lives in South Africa where she runs cosmetics shop while pursuing a career in music. She shared some of her never before seen photos from back in the day and she was still hot. Check her out
Post a Comment