This archive report was first published on 27 September 2019.
On September 27, 2019, Diamond Platnumz, the boss of Wasafi Classic Baby (WCB), visited a stand run by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in Iringa, 261 kilometers south of Dodoma.
During a heated 20-minute recording, Diamond expressed his frustration with TRA's tax collection methods, claiming that he was being double taxed and unfairly treated.
He alleged that TRA was milking him dry with taxes on every show, despite his label remitting returns after every financial year.
“Sisi ni Wasafi, kila mwisho wa mwaka tunalipa kodi zetu sawia na wenzetu… Kuna sehemu tuelienda tukaambiwa poster moja ya A4 lazima tulipie Sh135 (Tsh3000) kwa siku. Show sitangazi alafu watu waje leo. Nikiweka siku tatu poster moja yaja Sh405 (Tsh9000),” lamented Diamond.
A representative at the stand acknowledged the issue and promised to look into it, stating that TRA relies on the artist's annual income and that any excess is subject to taxation.
“Kwa mapato yake toa matumizi ambayo yanakubalika kisheria na kilichobaki atatupa mahesabu. Sisi tunaweza chukua yale mahesabu au tunaweza kurudi nyuma kuangalia kama ni kweli alipata na alitumia hiki? Lakini hatuwezi kuwa kila anapofanya tunakata,” she said.
