Kenyans to File Tax Returns after June 30th Deadline in New Regulations

Kenyans to File Tax Returns after June 30th Deadline in New Regulations

Taxpayers will from next year breath a sigh of relief as Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) moves to relax tough rules on tax returns.

From 2019, the taxman will allow Kenyans to file their returns after the June 30th deadline in a move aimed at boosting compliance and increasing revenue collected.

The new changes are contained in the Tax Procedures Act which will take effect from July 1st,2018. However, taxpayers must make application for an extension of the tax filing period, 30 days prior to the deadline.

In the new changes, businesses which remit their returns per month will be allowed to seek extension 15 days before the June 30th deadline. 

Kenya Revenue Authority's Domestic Taxes Enforcement Division assistant manager, Jeremiah Kinywa, said those who apply for extension will be notified if it is successful or not, five days before the deadline.

“If the commissioner will not have responded to the applicants within the five days, the application will be deemed granted,” said Kinywa.

Current law requires individuals with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to file returns per year, including a nil return. A fine of Sh20, 000 is imposed on those who fail to file before the end of the deadline.

Comments

koros (not verified)     Wed, 06/27/2018 @ 02:14pm

I have tried to file returns of my mother born 1939 but I have to update her kra pin to itax on filing date of birth it need day month year on id its only 1939. so I do request kra office to Wave for older persons. 70yrs + n jobless.

Geoffrey Kipro… (not verified)     Thu, 06/28/2018 @ 03:54am

you just send me a notification that my itax had been inactive and I have your loans and telling to file my returns be this Friday and am still winding up my classes, what is your take on this?

Mkenya wamefiywa (not verified)     Thu, 06/28/2018 @ 11:08pm

This issue of tax returns is only done by those who have jobs......secondly kra shud hold sentizization seminars in all corners of kenya.
3rd imposing 20k penaly for those who fail to meet deadlibe is hardh considering.....most are jobless.
Elderly people even pensionable ones without incomes/or with incomes cases shud be handled with care.
Gavament is pushing kenyansto pay tax yet has not done anything for them is serious....furthermore most of tax/public funds stolen...

Kenyans wakeup (not verified)     Thu, 06/28/2018 @ 11:15pm

Time will come when Kenyans will take this nation and chat way foward on way to be ruled...as it is now kenyans are overtaxed and nothing is done to alliviate poverty or create employment by gavament....

Jackson Kariwo… (not verified)     Fri, 06/29/2018 @ 12:32pm

I appreciate the efforts made by the KRA to enable it's citizens file returns on line from whichever place one is hence reducing confessions in their offices. However, I have the following remarks to make to improve on service delivery and complaints from your clients;-
1). Many Kenyans have been closed out by the 30th deadline and will be heavily penalised Kshs. 20,000 which many will never raise as the are jobless.
2). The returns demands that by filing the 2017 returns and you didn't file 2015 and 2016,you will be penalised Kshs. 20,000 each for the two years. many Kenyans didn't know this requirement and this again is a burden to them.
3). Please sensitize Kenyans on KRA requirements every year in the media and everywhere for them to be adhered to as many of them are not literate enough.
4). The penalty applied ones account for failure to file the returns, and yet they weren't on any employment, should be waived depending on a genuine reason given by the taxpayer.

nicodemus tunje (not verified)     Fri, 06/29/2018 @ 04:33pm

what if you r jobless coz you only got (pin) as it was needed in an application? here then there is a penalty of 20k where are we thinking kenyas?

Abdi Alas (not verified)     Fri, 06/29/2018 @ 06:02pm

It is funny for some people to be fined for failure of iTax portal. In most cases where there is no Wi-Fi or 3G+ submission of returns is impossible even after log in. With the nearing of the deadline accessing the KRA website becomes a dream. Kra should come up with a way of fixing the congestion.

Psambu titus (not verified)     Mon, 07/02/2018 @ 07:42am

Tired of kenya. let them give us enough time of filing returns though not a must. they already know whether we are employed or not. why strain us?

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