More than 200,000 taxpayers in Kenya have benefited from over KES 200 billion in waived penalties and interest under the country’s Tax Amnesty Programme, the revenue authority announced Tuesday.
The programme, introduced last year, allows taxpayers to apply for a full waiver of accrued penalties and interest if they clear their principal tax dues by the 30 June 2024 deadline.
“We are pleased to report that as of 20 February 2024, 227,071 taxpayers have benefited from waiver of penalties and interest amounting to KES 209 billion,” said the Commissioner for Domestic Taxes at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The KRA said taxpayers had so far paid KES 14.5 billion in principal taxes under the amnesty, which was launched on 1 September 2023 and runs until the end of June next year.
The authority urged those with outstanding principal taxes to take advantage of the programme. It also encouraged taxpayers with ongoing disputes to consider settling out of court so they can benefit before the amnesty expires.
“This will enable them take advantage of the ongoing Tax Amnesty, noting that the provisions on waiver of penalties and interest and on abandonment of taxes, were repealed by the Finance Act, 2023,” the KRA said.
The amnesty has been widely welcomed by taxpayers in Kenya, many of whom have accrued significant interest and penalties due to late payments and other compliance issues.
