The Kenya Revenue Authority – KRA on Monday, September 25 announced that it has deployed Revenue Service Assistants countrywide to boost tax collection and compliance.
Notably, the officers who graduated on August 25, 2023, will perform several duties that include visiting the taxpayers on their premises.
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) informs the public that it has rolled out a Revenue Service Assistants (RSAS) program whose mandate is to support taxpayers with their compliance needs,” read part of the statement.
Role of KRA Revenue Assistants
As part of its broader plan to rump up revenue collection in the country, the taxman said the officers will play a key role in facilitating online registration of trading businesses.
Additionally, the revenue agency which has a huge tax in supporting the funding and actualization of the Kenya Kwanza government noted that the Revenue Assistants will verify taxpayer details.
Further, they will support compliance with Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) regulations.
At the same time, the officers who underwent training through parentship with the Kenya Defence Forces – KDF, will support compliance with Excise regulations and take part in data collection.
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PCS Musalia Mudavadi meeting some of the Assistants on their Pass out. PHOTO/Courtesy
Physical Visits
Additionally, the RSAs will provide on-site facilitation to taxpayers, which will involve physical visits to taxpayer premises within the country.
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Moreover, the assistants will have staff identification cards.
Also, according to the notice, they will have uniforms so that they can be identified easily.
Additionally, the taxman urged the public to verify the staff details through USSD *572#, or use KRA Thibitisha which is available on its website: www.kra.go.ke or through the KRA Mservice App.
“KRA encourages the public to interact with the RSAS and let them know how they can assist you,” the statement read in part.
Training
Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) are newly hired field officers assigned to the Domestic Taxes Department across Tax Service Offices (TSOs).
Their primary function entails field visits to monitor compliance and enable tax base development projects, assisting KRA in meeting its overarching goal of collecting revenue on behalf of the government.
RSAs completed a training curriculum that includes technical tax courses on Value Added Tax, Customs, and KRA business systems, as well as security training.
The Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) spearheaded the training, which was given in collaboration with the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). KESRA handled all tax, customs, and KRA-related training, accounting for 80% of total training, and KDF provided support through the discipline module.
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Because of the RSA’s responsibility in dealing with varied clients and a plethora of taxation difficulties, the training was designed to instill discipline, patriotism, and help recruits achieve physical fitness for the rigorous revenue field job.
In conjunction with KDF, KRA has established a variety of training programs. This was for our senior, middle, and entry-level employees. Aside from KDF, KESRA offers training in collaboration with a variety of additional partners, including local colleges and foreign partners.
