Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has collected Ksh3.4 billion in the ongoing tax amnesty programme.
Addressing the section of the media on Tuesday, October 17, Domestic Taxes Department Chief Manager Caroline Rotich confirmed that more than 17, 000 taxpayers have so far applied for tax amnesties and are expected to remit Ksh10.5 billion.
“More than 17,000 taxpayers have applied for the tax amnesty which commenced on September 1, 2023, and we expect the number to immensely grow as we continue to create awareness amongst taxpayers,” Rotich stated.
According to KRA projections, 2.8 million taxpayers who have penalties as well as interest and qualify for the tax amnesty programme.
The programme will allow KRA to waive billions from taxpayers.
Qualified taxpayers will be entitled to an automatic waiver of the penalties and interest related to that period and will not be required to make an amnesty application.
The taxman has urged taxpayers who have pending objections and court cases to consider out-of-court settlements with the authority to allow them to benefit from the tax amnesty programme.
KRA anticipates collecting Ksh51 billion from the debts accrued during the period.
The money raised will help the government in running various projects in the current financial year.
President William Ruto while assuming office insisted on the need for KRA to meet its targets. The top leadership was even restructured to help the Kenya Kwanza administration hit the revenue targets.
More taxes were also introduced in the Finance Act forcing Kenyans to remit more to fund government operations.
While defending the raising of taxes, the Kenya Kwanza administration indicated that it would help the government reduce over-relaince on foreign aid.
