The Tanzanian Revenue Authority (TRA) has issued a one-month window for all digital platform based businesses including Airbnb, Booking.com, Meta (Facebook, Instagram), and others to officially register and begin paying taxes. Failure to comply within this period will lead to legal action, including fines and penalties.

TRA’s Commissioner General, Yusuph Mwenda, announced this initiative on July 24, 2025, many users of these platforms fail to register or issue official receipts, making it difficult for authorities to track income and enforce compliance. To address this, the TRA has set a clear deadline from August 1 to August 30 for hosts using Airbnb and other online marketplaces to register. During this grace period, no penalties will be imposed—but after that, strict enforcement will follow.

In addition, TRA is launching a nationwide campaign to educate digital entrepreneurs about the importance of registration, obtaining a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and utilizing electronic receipt systems (EFD). The new EFD mobile app allows users to generate official receipts directly from their phones, eliminating the need for costly, bulky machines. TRA aims to raise awareness across the country about these modern tax tools and processes.

The public is to help by reporting individuals or businesses that operate without paying taxes. The TRA’s regional officers, in collaboration with banking systems and the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), have the capacity to track and monitor tax compliance once information is provided.

Online entrepreneurs with home-based deliveries must pay taxes if their annual income exceeds 4 million shillings. The TRA’s robust systems are in place to identify and bring such businesses into the formal tax framework. Citizens are encouraged to register voluntarily and adopt digital receipt methods, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Contact Us