The Kenya Revenue Authority has collected Sh. 20.8 billion from over half a million Kenyans in the ongoing tax amnesty program.
In the scheme, the taxman says that he has waived Sh. 244.7 billion in penalties and interests.
“Kenya Revenue Authority has registered a major milestone after over half a million Kenyans benefitted from the ongoing Tax Amnesty Programme to regularize their tax compliance status,” the KRA said in a statement.
“The initiative has seen taxpayers pay their overdue principal taxes amounting to Sh. 20.8 billion, with a total of Sh. 28.7 billion having been self-declared as unpaid taxes.”
The scheme by the KRA is still ongoing and is expected to be concluded on June 30, 2024.
“We urge Kenyans who have not been filing their returns to do so before 30th June 2024 and those that 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 by 30th June 2024,” the taxman said.
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 31st December 2022, upon full payment of their respective principal taxes by 30th June 2024.
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However, says KRA, there will be no amnesty, waiver, or write-offs on penalties and interests after 30th June 2024.
Further, KRA clarified that the Tax Amnesty does not apply to customs and import duties and interest and penalties accrued after December 30, 2022.
According to the KRA eligibility guide, the amnesty is applicable to a person with penalties and interest but has no principal taxes owing for periods up to 31st December 2022; and a person who has principal tax accrued up to 31st December 2022 but pays the outstanding principal tax debt by 30th June 2024.
“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,” said KRA in a statement.