LEXICON ATTORMEY’S INTERPRETATION ON ISSUANCE OF EFD AS PER TAX ADMINISTRATION ACT CAP 438 R.E 2019

Section 3 of the TAA (Tax Administration Act), Cap. 438 R.E 2019 on Time of supply

” b). in relation to supply of services the time at which the services are rendered, provided or performed”

 

In the context of the above law, the terms “rendered,” “provided,” and “performed” are used to pinpoint the exact time when the services are considered to be supplied. They are in present simple passive tense.

 

This is important for determining when a transaction is recognized for legal and tax purposes.

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Ronald O Jumbalekiti vs Ukod International Co Ltd (Revision Application No 276 of 2023) 2024 TZHCLD 51 (12 March 2024).pdf

Applicant was employed by the Respondent way back in November 2018 as a General Manager in unspecified period of contract. The same is evidenced by the offer of employment letter (exhibit Dl). For the reasons which are not apparent on record, on 01/04/2021 the parties decided to enter into a fixed term contract of five years where the Applicant was retained in the same position as reflected in the employment contract (exhibit PI). For personal reasons which were not revealed in the resignation letter (exhibit P2) dated 30/04/2022, the Applicant decided to resign from employment. He further indicated in

the resignation letter that his last working day will be on 31/05/2022…..

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Helena Chinyuka vs Letshego (T) Limited TA Faidika Microfinance (Revision Application No 27988 of 2023) 2024 TZHCLD 27 (13 March 2024)

Facts of this application briefly are that, on 17th February 2014, Hellen Nathanael Chinyuka entered unspecified period of contract with Letshego Tanzania Limited as branch manager. Her duty station was in Lindi. Applicant was thereafter transferred to Mtwara Region. It happened that on 5th August 2021, respondent retrenched the applicant. Aggrieved with termination of her employment, on 31st August 2021, applicant filed Labour dispute No. CMA/DSM/MTW/46/2021 before the Commission for Mediation and Arbitration(CMA) at Mtwara complaining that respondent terminated her employment unfairly.

 

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Legal Analysis of Tge New Arbitration Law in Tanzania by Lexicon Attorneys Law Company

NEW ARBITRATION LAW IN TANZANIA

(by G. Method, Intern Lexicon Attorneys Law Company – March 2022)

 

1.0       Tanzania has repealed the Arbitration Act [Cap 15 R.E 2002] and replaced it with a new Arbitration Act No. 2 of 2020 (the Act), which came into effect on 18th January 2021.

 

1.1       Under the  Act several Regulations were made and came into effect from 29th January 2021, namely the (i). Arbitration (Rules of Procedure) Regulations, 2021; (ii). the Tanzania Arbitration Centre (Management and Operations) Regulations, 2021; and (iii). the Reconciliation, Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration (Practitioners Accreditation) Regulations, 2021.

 

2.0       Part 1: The Arbitration Act, 2020

The Act is geared to promoting alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. One of its strengths is that it eliminates ambiguity by clarifying what amounts to domestic commercial arbitration and international commercial arbitration.

 

2.1       The scope of the Act is limited to mainland Tanzania (Section 5(1)), save for specific circumstance covered under sections 13 and 68 of the Act which relate to stay of proceedings and enforcement of an award, respectively.

 

2.2       Part 1 provides for the interpretation and application of the Act.

Parts II and III provide the general provisions of the Act, which are guided by the principles of:

 

  • fair resolution of disputes by an impartial tribunal without delay or expense;
  • parties’ discretion on how their disputes should be resolved; and
  • the court’s role as merely subsidiary (non-interference by the court unless permitted by the law).

 

3.0       Parts IV and V cover commencement of arbitral proceedings and the arbitral tribunal, respectively. An interesting component of the Act is the power conferred on the court to grant a complainant an extension of time to undertake the steps required before commencing arbitration proceedings, even if the timeframe for doing so under an agreement or previous order of the court has elapsed.

 

3.1       Additionally, in line with the spirit and general provisions of the Act, which call for parties to be free to agree on how their disputes should be resolved, it places few limits on the parties’ choice of arbitrator.

 

3.2       However, specific criteria in the arbitration agreement may constrain such choice. It is also worth noting that parties are generally at liberty to agree on the number of arbitrators and the procedure for their appointment as provided in sections 17 and 18 of the Act. However, as far as the number of arbitrators is concerned, in cases of default of agreement between the parties, the tribunal shall only consist of one arbitrator. Moreover, where the parties have agreed to an even number of arbitrators, an additional arbitrator will be appointed as chairman.

 

3.3       Further, a party may apply to the court for the removal of an arbitrator if, among other things, it has justifiable doubts as to the arbitrator’s impartiality or competence.

 

3.4       The Act also gives an arbitrator immunity from any liability associated with his/ her actions unless it can be proven that the said actions were done in bad faith or showed professional negligence.

 

4.0       Parts VI, VII and VIII of the Act deal with jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal, arbitral proceedings and costs.

 

4.1       Unless otherwise agreed between the parties, the tribunal is granted the power to rule on its own ‘substantive’ jurisdiction, ranging from whether there is a valid arbitration agreement to whether the tribunal has been properly constituted.

 

4.2       Subject to the agreement in writing  by the  parties  or the permission of  the tribunal, a party can also apply to the court to determine any question as to the substantive jurisdiction of the tribunal (determination of preliminary point of jurisdiction).

 

4.3       Traditional duties relating to the conduct of the tribunal are also imposed. These require the tribunal to act fairly and impartially, whilst ensuring that unnecessary delays or expenses are avoided, to provide a fair means for the resolution of the matters to be determined. It is worth noting that the Act is silent on the duty of the arbitrator to disclose any interest (however, both case law and literature have provided for the test for disclosure).

 

4.4       Further to the above, the onus is placed on the arbitral tribunal to decide on all procedural and evidential matters (subject to the agreement of the parties thereof). As is the case in numerous jurisdictions, the award rendered by the tribunal is treated as final and binding (unless there is an agreement to the contrary by the parties). A tribunal may refuse to deliver an award to the parties where one or more parties fail to make full payment of the fees and expenses of the arbitrators.

 

4.5 Concerning the cost of the arbitration, the tribunal may make an order as to cost (subject to any agreement between the parties). Such cost may be in respect to the following:

  • the arbitrator’s fees and expenses;
  • fees and expenses of any arbitral institution;
  • legal or other costs of the parties; and
  • costs of, or incidental to, the proceedings.

 

5.0       With regards to the powers of the court in relation to an award, Part IX of the Act provides that an award can only be enforced, with leave (permission) of the court, and may be enforced in the same manner as a judgement and order of the court. Under the Act, a party has the option of applying to the court to challenge an award on the basis that the tribunal lacked substantive jurisdiction; and/ or on grounds of serious irregularity affecting the tribunal, the proceedings or the award.

 

6.0 An interesting feature of the Act is the creation of the Tanzania Arbitration Centre (centre), under Part X of the Act. This provides for the establishment of the centre with functions that include:

  • the conduct and management of arbitration;
  • registration and maintenance of a list of accredited arbitrators; and
  • enforcement of the code of conduct and practice for arbitrators.

 

7.0 In terms of enforcement of arbitral awards, Part XI of the Act provides that domestic arbitral awards and foreign arbitral awards may be enforced and recognised as binding upon written application to the court by the party and upon the court being satisfied that certain conditions have been met. However, a court may not enforce an award if the party it is rendered against provides evidence that the parties to the agreement:

  • lacked capacity to enter into the agreement;
  • that it was not properly represented or given notice of the appointment of the arbitrator or arbitral proceeding; or
  • that the making of the arbitral award was induced or affected by fraud, bribery, corruption or undue influence.

 

8.0       The Act does not expressly provide a time limit for applying for enforcement of an award. Previously, practice dictated that the application must be within six months of the making of the award. This is based on a High Court decision on the interpretation of the previous Act and it would be interesting to see whether this interpretation is adopted for the reading of the current Act.

 

9.0       Parts XII and XIII of the Act deal with miscellaneous provisions of, and consequential amendments arising from, the Act. A key provision under these parts is section 86, which states that in applying and construing the Act, an arbitrator should take into regard positions taken by other arbitrators in similar subject matters, as well as positions taken by courts of law in such matters, and justify his or her decision if he or she decides to differ with the position of other arbitrators or courts.

 

9.1       Additionally, the Act calls for any arbitration arrangement concluded before the coming into effect of the Act which has not yet materialised to be renegotiated and brought in line with the Act. This requirement to align also extends to any arbitration proceedings that are pending when the Act comes to full effect.

 

9.2       It is noted that no person shall be authorised to practice for a fee as reconciliator, negotiator, mediator or arbitrator unless such a person is accredited. Any person in breach of this requirement would be liable to a fine of up to TZS 5 million or subject to imprisonment of up to two years or both.

 

9.3       The Act permits the use of foreign arbitral bodies such as London Centre of International Arbitration if the venue of the arbitration is in Tanzania and Tanzanian law applies. This is a breakthrough as previously these laws required the use of arbitral bodies ‘established in’ Tanzania (i.e. TiArb or NCC), which some investors viewed as non-independent.

 

10.0     Conclusion:

The Act is to a larger extent in parimateria with the English Arbitration Act, 1996.

 

11.0     Disclaimer:

For more and further reliable particulars, please contact your legal consultant.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF TANZANIA (DAR ES SALAAM DTSTRTCT REGTSTRY) AT DAR ES SALAAM MISCELLANEOUS CIVIL APPLICATION NO.666 OF 2O21

RULING
MRUMAJ.

This is an application for temporary injunction. It is brought under Rule 1(a) and 2(1) of Order )CCryII and sections 68(c) and (e), and 95 of the Civil Produce Code fcap 33 R.E 2019]. The Applicant UKOD International Company Limited is seeking from this court for Orders of
temporary injunction restraining the Respondents Equity Bank Tanzania Limited or its agents from performing fufther acts that may continue to incapacitate her business pending determination of a defamation Suit (Civil Case No.216) filed against the Respondent.

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THE COMPANIES (EXTENSION OF PERIOD FOR SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP) NOTICE GOVERNMENT NOTICE NO. 189 OF 2021 (GN. 189/2021)

1.0       BRIEF BACKGROUND

1.1       Section 7 of the Finance Act, 2020 amends Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2002 and a new concept “Beneficial Owner” is introduced. Beneficial Owner is defined to mean a natural person:

  • who directly or indirectly ultimately owns or exercises substantial control over an entity or an arrangement;
  • who has a substantial economic interest in or receives substantial economic benefit from an entity or an arrangement directly or indirectly whether acting alone or together with other persons;
  • on whose behalf an arrangement is conducted; or
  • who exercises significant control or influence over a person or arrangement through a formal or informal agreement. 

1.2       Section 16 of the Finance Act 2020 further amends Section 451 of the Companies Act 2002 to establish the Register of the Beneficial Owners.

1.3       Section 17 of the Finance Act 2020 moreover amends Section 459 of the Companies Act 2002 by adding immediately thereafter Section 459A, which states that:

(1).      A company incorporated under this Act before the 1st day of July, 2020 shall, within six months from the 1st day of July, 2020 comply with requirements of section 14 (2)(b), and

(2).      The Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, extend the period of compliance stipulated under subsection (1).

2.0       GN 189/2021

2.1       In exercise of the powers conferred to him/her by Section 459A of the Companies Act, 2002 (as Amended by the Finance Act 2020), the Minister through GN 189/2021 extended time for the beneficial owner to submit their information to the Registrar from 6 months to 12 months.

3.0       MOTIVE BEHIND INTRODUCTION OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNER PERCEPTION

3.1       To assist law enforcement agencies to prevent and or combat tax evasion, money laundry and terrorism financing.

4.0       DISCLAIMER: There is no any professional relationship formed between Lexicon Attorneys Law Company and the reader of this article; for more details please contact your legal attorney.

Written by:

Aneth K.

Intern – Lexicon Attorneys Law Company

Edited by:

Jimmy Mrosso

Partner – Lexicon Attorneys Law Company

 

Date: 25th February 2021

TAX HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2020/2021FINANCIAL BUDGET

  1. No income tax for special economic zones products.
  2. Skills Development Levy reduced to 4%.
  3. Tax Objections to be decided within 6 months.
  4. Withholding tax on banks agents of 10% has been introduced.
  5. Income tax threshold to 270,000 per month from 170,000 to employees
  6. Excise duty on powdered beer and powdered juice.
  7. Capital gain tax on land transfer business.
  8. Minister to have power to exempt capital expenditure on special projects not exceeding Tshs. 1B.
  9. No vat on insurance crops business.
  10. Gross income for cooperatives/saccos to be taxed increased from Tzs. 50m to Tzs. 100m.
  11. Imports duty of 0% on covid related inputs.
  12. Allowable deductions for expenditure on aids / covid 19 contributions
  13. Zero import duty on all packaging /caps for locally produced wines and agriculture produces to be processed within the country.
  14. Vehicle special numbers @ Tshs 500k.