RELIEF

KRA grants Sh245 billion in tax waivers to defaulters

At least Sh28.7 billion having been self-declared as unpaid taxes.

In Summary
  • It has encouraged more taxpayers to take advantage of the programme.
  • They have until June 30 to benefit from the plan.
The KRA headquarters at Times Tower in Nairobi
The KRA headquarters at Times Tower in Nairobi
Image: FILE

Over half a million Kenyans have benefitted from the ongoing Tax Amnesty Programme to regularise their tax compliance status.

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the initiative has seen taxpayers pay their overdue principal taxes amounting to Sh20.8 billion, with a total of Sh28.7 billion having been self-declared as unpaid taxes.

"Taxpayers who had defaulted on filing and paying their taxes have so far benefited from Sh244.7 billion in waiver of penalties and interests,'' KRA said in a statement. 

KRA encourages more taxpayers to take advantage of the programme.

The Authority urges Kenyans who have not been filing their returns to do so before June 30 and those who have not been paying and have accrued penalties and interest on their unpaid principal taxes to take advantage of the amnesty and clear any outstanding principal tax debts.

The Finance Act, 2023 introduced the Tax Amnesty Programme to allow taxpayers to benefit from amnesty on penalties and interest accrued for periods up to December 31,  2022, upon full payment of their respective principal taxes.

"There will be no amnesty, waiver, or write-offs on penalties and interests after  June 30."

Further, KRA clarifies that the Tax Amnesty does not apply to customs and import duties and interest and penalties accrued after December 30, 2022. 

Additionally, the tax amnesty programme aims to enhance compliance and revenue mobilization, while giving taxpayers with tax disputes a leeway to benefit from the existing Alternative Tax Dispute Resolution framework.  

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