The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has refuted reports that it has lined up a move targeting businesses with till numbers.
In a statement on Tuesday, November 28, the revenue collecting authority labeled the reports as false and warned against fraudsters purporting to collect taxes from persons with the said till numbers.
KRA further assured that it does not subject the till numbers to taxation.
“Till numbers are not subject to taxation, and KRA does not collect any such taxes. Beware of fraudsters purporting to do any of the above,” the tax collector stated.
The statement came in response to a post by an X user named Charles D Nichols insinuating that till numbers would be shut down if the owners failed to comply.
In what sounded like a warning, the user went on to claim that most shopping outlets were forced to turn to “Pochi la Biashara” after the closure of their tills.
“I hear they are walking around taxing shops where they find lipa na Mpesa till around Nairobi Town,” the fake statement read.
The identity of the person or persons behind the fake information was not immediately revealed.
To avoid falling prey to such fraudulent schemes, the taxman in the statement urged Kenyans to verify any person claiming to be its staff member through its website.
Also Read: KRA Seeks Kenyans Views on Proposed Tax Rules
Alternatively, KRA urged Kenyans to use USSD cod *572# to confirm the authenticity of a staff member before proceeding to commit any payments.
But cases of misinformation surrounding KRA, and taxes have been reported in the recent past with the taxman coming out on several occasions to debunk false information.
KRA Speaks on Barring Tax Defaulters from Leaving JKIA
On Monday, November 27, the tax authority dispelled yet another statement claiming that the state would bar any person with tax arrears from leaving the country.
The response came after a social media post claiming that persons with arrears would be barred from leaving the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
However, the authority took to its social media to state that the claims are fake.
Also Read: KRA Announces Changes in Tax Filing Process
Instead, the taxman urged Kenyans to take advantage of the tax amnesty plan put in place to clear any outstanding arrears.
According to the statement, the amnesty will cover all taxpayers with penalties and interest for the period up to 31st December 2022.
The body has been often in the limelight especially in the wake of heightened efforts by the state to maximize revenue generation.
