NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has granted relief to taxpayers by waiving Sh158 billion in penalties, fines, and interest as part of its ongoing Tax Amnesty Programme, which was launched on December 27, 2024.
This move has provided a lifeline to over 2.9 million taxpayers, enabling them to resolve outstanding tax matters without the burden of accrued penalties.
Since the programme’s inception, KRA has also managed to collect Sh10.9 billion in principal tax payments, signaling a positive response from taxpayers keen on regularizing their tax records.
“The Tax Amnesty Programme offers an opportunity for taxpayers to clean their tax records by providing a waiver on penalties, interest, and fines for tax debts accumulated up to December 31, 2023,” KRA stated.
The initiative, which runs until June 30, 2025, reflects KRA’s commitment to fostering voluntary compliance while providing much-needed relief to taxpayers who have been carrying the weight of past tax debts.
Key Highlights of the Tax Amnesty Programme:
- Automatic Waiver: Taxpayers who have no outstanding principal taxes for periods up to December 31, 2023, but still owe penalties and interest, will automatically have these waived, without needing to apply.
- Application Requirement: Taxpayers with outstanding principal taxes from before December 31, 2023, must apply through the Tax system and submit a structured payment plan to settle the outstanding taxes by the amnesty deadline.
- Exclusions: Tax debts incurred from January 1, 2024, onward do not qualify for amnesty. Any penalties, interest, or principal taxes arising after this date remain payable.
KRA has also encouraged taxpayers engaged in ongoing disputes to utilize the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework to resolve issues swiftly before the amnesty period ends.
Taxpayers are urged to act promptly and take advantage of the programme before the deadline of June 30, 2025, to ensure they can move forward with a clean slate and avoid further financial penalties.
This initiative is part of KRA’s broader efforts to support taxpayers, enhance compliance, and streamline the process of tax collection, ensuring that the burden of past debts does not hinder the progress of businesses or individuals.
