More Than 500,000 Kenyans Respond to Tax Amnesty, Paying and Settling Ksh 20.8 Billion in Outstanding Principal Taxes

KRA waives Ksh 244.7 Billion in Penalties and Interests while Ksh 28.7 Billion in Unpaid Principal Taxes Disclosed. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) achieves a significant milestone as over 500,000 Kenyans seize the opportunity of the ongoing Tax Amnesty Programme to regularize their tax status.

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The initiative has resulted in payments totaling Ksh 20.8 billion in overdue principal taxes, with taxpayers self-declaring Ksh 28.7 billion in unpaid taxes. Those who had defaulted on tax filing and payment have benefited from Ksh 244.7 billion in penalty and interest waivers.

KRA encourages more taxpayers to participate in the program, urging those who haven’t filed their returns to do so before June 30, 2024. Those with unpaid principal taxes and accrued penalties and interest are encouraged to clear their debts by the same deadline.

Enacted through the Finance Act, 2023, the Tax Amnesty Programme grants amnesty on penalties and interest accrued up to December 31, 2022, for taxpayers who fully pay their principal taxes by June 30, 2024. After this date, no further amnesty, waiver, or write-offs on penalties and interests will be granted. KRA emphasizes that the amnesty does not apply to customs and import duties, as well as penalties and interests accrued after December 30, 2022.

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Furthermore, the tax amnesty aims to boost compliance and revenue mobilization, providing taxpayers with tax disputes an opportunity to utilize the existing Alternative Tax Dispute Resolution framework.

Source: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)