A letter from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to Jeniffer Muthoni Maina, a Nyeri-based businesswoman, has left many Kenyans with questions over new plans by the authority to collect taxes.
The letter, dated September 28, indicates that KRA officials visited the business premises of the Muthoni and learnt that she had not been declaring her business income.
Notably, the letter, indicated as confidential, is signed and stamped by the manager of the Nyeri Service Office Harrison Kinyanjui.
The officers proceeded to ask Muthoni to issue their office with necessary documents for review and addition of required tax obligations or risk the initiation of enforcement measures.
“Following a visit to your business premises, located at Nyeri town on September 21, 2023, and further review of returns. We note you have not been declaring business income as required by law.
“The office requires you to provide the following documents for review and addition of required tax obligations,’ the letter reads in part.
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KRA Officials ask for Documentation
Moreover, the taxman gave Muthoni a seven day notice to present her business permit or license and detailed sales and purchases ledgers for the years from 2018 to 2023.
Additionally, she is required to furnish KRA with her cash books or Receipt books and bank statements for the years from 2018 to 2023.
At the same time, KRA is asking for M-PESA statements for all Till or Pay bill numbers for the years 2018 to the date the letter was issued.
Other documentation includes salaries, casual wage schedules for her employees and proof of payment of housing levy as per the guidelines of the Finance Act 2023 and tenancy agreement and rent receipts.
“Kindly provide the documents within 7 days from receipt of this letter. Failure to provide the above, our office will estimate your business income.
“It will also issue additional assessment and initiate enforcement measures against you in line with section 29 of the Tax Procedures Act 2015,” added the letter.
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The Kenya Times contacted Kelvin Ndungu and Bernard Mbaabu – KRA officials whose contacts were shared in the letter but were yet to respond by the time of publishing this article.
Deployment of Revenue Service Assistants
In September 25, KRA announced that it had deployed 1,400 Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) across the country to assist Kenyans with tax compliance and online facilitation.
Additionally, under the initiative, the assistants would conduct physical visits to taxpayers’ premises.
Some of the tasks they are meant to execute include facilitating the online registration of trading companies, verifying taxpayer information and assisting with TIMS/eTIMS compliance.
They are also required to offer support in compliance with excise regulations and assist in the collection of data for tax-related purposes.
“The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wishes to inform the public that it has introduced a Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) program.
“Their mandate is to assist taxpayers with their compliance needs. The RSAs will provide on-site assistance to taxpayers, which will involve physical visits to taxpayers’ premises within the country,” KRA noted in a notice.
