The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has so far collected Ksh 3.4 Billion from the ongoing tax amnesty programme. Speaking during a media round table, Chief Manager Domestic Taxes Department Ms Caroline Rotich said that more than 17,000 taxpayers have so far applied for tax amnesty and are expected to remit Ksh 10.5 billion.
“More than 17,000 taxpayers have applied for the tax amnesty which commenced on 1st September, 2023, and we expect the number to immensely grow as we continue to create awareness amongst taxpayers.” Ms Rotich.
KRA has identified 2.8 Million taxpayers who have penalties and interest and qualify for the tax amnesty programme. The amnesty programme will allow KRA to waive Billions from the taxpayers. Qualified taxpayers will be entitled to automatic waiver of the penalties and interest related to that period and will not be required to make an amnesty application.
KRA has urged taxpayers who have pending objections and court cases to consider out of court settlements with the Authority to allow them benefit from the tax amnesty programme. KRA has developed an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, which is an alternate means of resolving tax disputes outside the judicial process. KRA encourages concerned taxpayers to leverage on this programme for faster mutual, objective and efficient resolution of tax disputes.
Through the Finance Act 2023, KRA has introduced tax amnesty programme that allows taxpayers to apply for waiver of penalties and interest accrued until December 31, 2022. Through this programme, taxpayers will only be required to pay the principal tax amount of outstanding tax debts. KRA is anticipated to collect over Ksh 51 billion from the debts accrued in the period.