KRA Collects KSh 20.8b From Tax Amnesty Programme, Over 500k Kenyans Benefit

• KRA revealed that a total of KSh 244.7 billion in fines and interest had been waived for taxpayers who had defaulted
• The taxman urged Kenyans who have not been filing their returns to do so by June 30, 2024, as the waiver will not be extended
• According to the programme implemented by the Finance Act 2023, taxpayers who pay their respective taxes in full by June 30 will be eligible for amnesty on penalties and interest

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Over half a million Kenyans have benefited from the ongoing tax amnesty programme to regularise their tax compliance status, marking a significant milestone for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Through the programme, taxpayers have paid KSh 20.8 billion in overdue principal taxes from a total of KSh 28.7 billion that they self-declared as outstanding taxes.

KRA revealed in a statement that KSh 244.7 billion in fines and interest have been waived for taxpayers who had defaulted.

"The initiative has seen taxpayers pay their overdue principal taxes amounting to KSh 20.8 billion, with a total of KSh 28.7 billion having been self-declared as unpaid taxes. Taxpayers who had defaulted on filing and paying their taxes have so far benefited from KSh 244.7 billion in waiver of penalties and interests," KRA noted.

What's the deadline for tax amnesty?

KRA encouraged more taxpayers to take advantage of the scheme.

The taxman urged Kenyans who have not been filing their returns to do so by June 30, 2024.

It also appealed to those who have not been paying to take advantage of the amnesty and pay off any outstanding principal tax debts by June 30, as they have accumulated penalties and interest on their unpaid principal taxes.

According to the programme implemented by the Finance Act 2023, taxpayers who pay their primary taxes in full by June 30, 2024, will be eligible for amnesty on penalties and interest incurred up to December 31, 2022.

However, after June 30, 2024, there will be no amnesty, waiver, or write-off of fines and interests.

What to know about KRA's tax amnesty programme

• KRA's tax amnesty programme began in September 2023 and runs until June 2024.
• The government's principal revenue collector will implement enforcement measures to curb the abuse of its tax amnesty programme.
• This will include freezing bank accounts and blocking the KRA PINs of taxpayers who default on payment plans.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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KRA Collects KSh 20.8b From Tax Amnesty Programme, Over 500k Kenyans

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