Men should not pay taxes for their wives

A few days ago, the world celebrated the International Women’s Day which availed a chance to review the progress made towards realizing gender equality. The theme this year was “pledge for parity” which was a call to all humanity to strive to bridge the gap between men and women.

Kenya as a country has made great strides in the line of narrowing the economic, political and social divide between the two genders. The Kenyan constitution of 2010 contains well elaborate provisions that promote gender parity. It provides for at least a third of either gender must be represented in positions of leadership.

However, even with advanced gender parity campaigns in the country, it is widely recognized that disparities still exist, with some of our own Laws fighting against our own efforts.

The contentious legislation found in the Income Tax Act of 1974 that requires husbands to pay taxes for their wives failure to which they face some austere consequences, does not apply to the 21st century men and women.

This is a draconian law which is ancient. It portrays women as lesser beings and irresponsible people who cannot pay their own taxes.

Moreso, by demanding that men pay their wives’ taxes pictures women as commodities attached to men. A man pays taxes for his property like estates and consumer items that he buys; women are not a commodity, they are human beings just like men and therefore ought to be treated with the respect and dignity that they deserve.

Women should be given a fair ground to compete with men. They should be given equal chances with men to feel they are responsible and to feel the pain in paying taxes just like men.

According to the tax return form issued by Kenya Revenue Authority every year, men must file tax returns on behalf of their wives and accept liability for them unless their wives do it for themselves.  If a man does not remit his wife’s tax within the required period, then a 20 per cent fine is due and the KRA will start to hunt the man. This is enslaving the men and further burdening them.

Today’s woman is not necessarily a house wife, she is a working woman who earns her own salary and should therefore pay her own tax.

Life is hard already and with the current economic hardships brought about by high costs of living, men should not pay taxes for their wives. They already have a lot to cater for; they pay school fees, are bread winners, and cater for the general upkeep of their families. For the women, a lot of time their money is theirs alone but the man’s salary is his, his wife’s and kids.

We should all team up against such laws that demean our women and add further burden to the already laden man. If nothing is done, we may never go far as far as spearheading gender parity is concerned.