Cultivating Compliance: A Deep Dive into Agricultural Budget Analysis & Regulatory Landscape

In June 2024, Tanzania's National Assembly passed the Finance Act for 2024/2025, bringing significant tax reforms to boost agriculture. A seminar, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, was held on June 26, 2024, in Arusha, led by PwC and regulatory bodies. Participants from seed and horticulture sectors discussed tax reform impacts, regulatory updates, data protection, and safety regulations. Action points included collaborations on OSHA fees and compliance, and plans for further industry awareness initiatives.

The National Budget Analysis and Regulatory Seminar was organized to aid the transition and was organized by the Tanzania Horticulture and Potato Seed Platform, along with the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) and the Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA), with support from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The seminar featured two main sessions: one led by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the National Budget and tax reforms, and a panel discussion with representatives from key regulatory bodies, including TBS, FRF, TPHPA, TAEC, and OSHA. A total of 63 participants, primarily Dutch companies in the seed and horticulture sectors, attended, underscoring the importance of collaboration in navigating the regulatory landscape.

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Session One: Tanzania National Budget 2024/2025 and Tax Reform Insights

The National Budget Analysis and Regulatory Seminar included an insightful session led by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) experts Joseph Lyimo, Pamella Salehe, and Neema Henry Nyandoa, focusing on tax reforms and legislative changes affecting Tanzania's agricultural sectors.

The session began with an Economic Overview and Revenue Performance, providing context on the financial landscape. It then covered significant tax reforms and legislative updates relevant to stakeholders in the seed, potato, and horticulture value chains, highlighting their operational and compliance impacts. A practical segment on Tax Practical Perspectives and the Recovery of Input Tax offered actionable strategies for navigating the new tax landscape.

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The session concluded with a presentation on Data Protection & Privacy, emphasizing the compliance requirements of the Personal Data Protection Act to ensure stakeholders are equipped to safeguard personal data.

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Session Two: Amendments in the Regulatory Frameworks governing the horticulture sector

This session brought together representatives from regulatory bodies including TBS, FRF, TPHPA, TAEC and OSHA presenting amendments and compliance procedures related to agriculture.

The representatives provided key updates included OSHA’s new safety regulations, fire safety requirements, quality control measures, plant health and pesticide regulations, and radiation safety standards. An interactive session allowed the plenary to ask questions to the panelists, providing clarification and guidance on various regulatory issues impacting the horticulture sector.

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Recorded action points

Following the successful seminar, participants agreed on several key action points.

TAHA and OSHA will collaborate to share a document detailing the fees and charges associated with OSHA inspection visits, ensuring stakeholders are informed of the costs involved.
Additionally, TPHPA will provide an update on the Xylella status report for Tanzania.
TAHA also plans to organize a special session with the Data Protection Commission to raise awareness about the Personal Data Protection Act and ensure compliance within the seed and horticulture sector.
Furthermore, TAHA, in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will co-host a CEO’s Roundtable Meeting focused on raising awareness of contentious tax issues in the horticulture and tourism sectors, with guidance from PwC.

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Key outcomes of the seminar

The National Budget Analysis and Regulatory Seminar significantly enhanced the understanding of 63 participants from the horticulture industry, including representatives from seed, potato, and horticulture companies. The seminar covered essential topics such as practical perspectives on tax issues, the Tax Revenue Authority (TRA) audit focus areas, and strategies for mitigating tax risks. Additionally, attendees gained valuable insights into VAT payment and refund procedures, along with important considerations for compliance. The discussions also highlighted key aspects of Data Protection and Privacy under the Personal Data Protection Act in Tanzania, ensuring that participants were well-informed about the compliance obligations between the parties.

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More information

The Embassy provides regular updates on developments in the agriculture sector. To receive the updates follow us on our X (Twitter) account @NLAgriTanzania and/or subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to dar-lvvn@minbuza.nl.