Tax fairness means making sure everyone pays taxes according to their ability, and that the money collected is used to improve the lives of all citizens. In Tanzania, young people, including those with disabilities make up an important part of the population and can play a big role in the country’s economic and social growth.
However, many young people face challenges like unemployment, lack of tax education, and being left out of important policy discussions. This often leads to a tax system that doesn’t reflect their needs or realities.
Why Youth Inclusion Matters
When young people are included in tax discussions, it helps create a system that is:
- Fair and inclusive
- Transparent and easy to understand
- Focused on the needs of all groups in society
By listening to youth voices—especially those from marginalized groups like youth with disabilities—policymakers can design tax policies that support youth economic empowerment and ensure no one is left behind.
Youth Discussions Held in Three Regions
To help bring youth perspectives into tax discussions, Restless Development, in partnership with Okoa New Generation, Pwani Youth Network, and Youth and Women Emancipation, organized Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Kibaha Town, Shinyanga Municipality, and Arusha City.
A total of 51 young people participated, including:
- 31 young women
- 20 young men
- Among them, 4 young women with disabilities
Participants included youth running small to medium-sized businesses, those who had received training in tax matters, and others with little prior exposure to tax issues.
What Did the Discussions Focus On?
The conversations were centered around three key areas:
- How well youth understand taxes
- Their participation in paying taxes
- Their involvement in tax-related decisions and policies
What We Learned
- Many youth lack basic knowledge about taxes, including why they are paid and how the money is used.
- Some youth don’t pay taxes, especially those in the informal sector, due to confusion or lack of awareness.
- Youth feel excluded from policy-making processes that directly affect them.
These findings show the need to raise awareness and involve youth more actively in tax-related decisions.
Next Steps: What Can Be Done
To make the tax system fairer and more inclusive, the following actions are recommended:
- Provide more tax education for young people
- Include youth voices—especially marginalized groups—in policy development
- Make tax systems simpler and more accessible for youth and small business owners
- Create safe spaces for dialogue between youth and policymakers
Read the Full Report
Want to learn more?
Click here to read the full report in Swahili.
The full report includes detailed findings, stories from young participants, and clear recommendations for creating a tax system that works for all.
