- Background
In advocating for an enabling business environment, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) is the focal point of the private sector in Tanzania. It represents all players in the private sector through numerous existing associations in different dialogue and other engagement platforms.
TPSF recognizes the need to collaborate with the Government in coming up with a well-streamlined fiscal policy that constitutes of the private sector views and recommendations. A fiscal policy that can attract investment, growth of small and medium businesses that will bring about sustainable economic growth; enhancing voluntary tax compliance; broadening the tax base; mainstreaming the use of ICT System in tax administration; strengthening enforcement of tax laws to address tax evasion challenges and minimize revenue leakages, and streamlining levies and fees to improve business and investment environment.
TPSF as the voice of the TPSF and in response to the Minister of Finance and Planning’s call for fiscal policy recommendations/proposals, requests and coordinates the business community to submit their issues to the Foundation for compilation, analysis, and escalation to the intended platforms such as Taskforce on Tax Reforms (TFTRs), Think Tank and Parliamentary Budget Committee (PBC). This phase of the activity has always been executed successfully. Over the years, TPSF has managed to solicit on average over 80 fiscal proposals for submission (and defending) at the aforementioned platforms. Based on the stock of the matrix of proposals embodied within TPSF archives, the list of proposals continues to increase consecutively every fiscal year. This increasing number of submitted proposals signals the presence of a fiscal regime that creates an unfavorable business environment and investment climate in the country. Additionally, in the last 5 FYs, over a half of submitted proposals are either similar or completely exact both in terms of concern/impact and analysis. This similarity or exactness signals an “unresolved problem ” that is, the fiscal proposals have not been taken on board by the Government (MoFP). This kind of persistence from the private sector’s point of view is alarming and requires TPSF to react and address the issue. Similarly, this can be explained jointly with the low success rate attained from/on the submitted proposals. TPSF has not been able to attain a success rate of at least half of its proposed and submitted fiscal policy measures (comparison of the previous years’ Finance Acts and list of submitted proposals). This Low success rate over the years is attributed to two factors; Private sector capacity to draft fiscal proposals and the Government’s readiness to accept changes/proposed private sector-led fiscal reforms. Each of these factors has a solution. One is within the jurisdiction of the Government and the other is fundamentally within the capacity of the private sector stakeholders through TPSF.
With this, TPSF seeks to engage a consultant who will examine the current tax regime based on business community concerns and provide practical tax reform recommendations that can be submitted to the aforementioned platforms. The proposed reforms will identify tax issues, problem(s) caused by that issue, and a technical tax reform(s) proposal aligned with the justification for change. These proposals should as well address the issue of broadening the tax base and enhancing tax compliance. This is to make sure that there is a win-win situation in the business environment, the economy, and Government revenue.
- Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the assignment/study is to identify taxes that harm businesses operations and investments and propose to TPSF probable recommendations. Specifically, the study/assignment shall provide tax reform recommendations based on the existing tax laws (Fiscal regime), global best practices, and available opportunities. Additionally, the study shall avail the Government with alternative revenue sources to reduce fiscal shocks associated with submitted tax reforms.
3. Overall Qualifications and Experience Required
The consultant should have the following experience, skills, and expertise:
- Extensive experience of not less than ten (10) years in Tax Management
- Graduate qualifications in either of the following disciplines or its equivalent: economics, taxation, financial management, business development, and any other related fields
- An experience in Economic Planning, Policy Analysis, and management would be an added advantage
- Experience in engaging and negotiating with Policy Makers and Lawmakers.
4. Access to TORs
Full Terms of Reference (TORs) for the consultancy are available from the TPSF Procurement Officer through the email address; procurement@tpsf.or.tz, with a copy to ezekiel.linhege@tpsf.or.tz to be requested on or before 7th December 2021. Responses to questions and clarifications will be sent to interested applicants as they come in but not later than 10th December 2021.
5. Deadline and address to deliver the EOI
The EOI must be delivered in hard copy or submitted by email in PDF format to the address below not later than Friday 10th December 2021 at 16.00hrs and must be specifically marked expression of interest (EOI) to provide technical advice on private sector-led tax reform proposals to influence the 2022 finance act.
Attn: The Procurement Officer, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Plot No. 1288 Mwaya Road, Msasani Peninsula, P.O. Box 11313 Dar es Salaam. Tel: +255 22 2601913/1938/2751 Email: procurement@tpsf.or.tz; cc to ezekiel.linhege@tpsf.or.tz