Taxpayers to file tax returns electronically

By Nicholas  Waitathu

Taxpayers will from next month start filing tax returns electronically and make payments and enquiries about their tax status online.

This follows the launch of a new tax payment system - Integrated Tax Management (iTax), by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Taxpayers will also benefit by monitoring their accounts in real-time.  The taxman is signing partnerships with local commercial banks with a view to actualising the new tax remission strategy.

KRA Commissioner General John Njiraini (pictured) said the new system has been rolled out ahead of a formal launch expected in early August.

“Taxpayers can now file returns and pay taxes online if their bank supports electronic payment,” he said. Njiraini said a mobile payment platform is under development to be rolled out by the end of July 2013.  Announcing the 2012/13 revenue collection performance, Njiraini said between July and September, KRA will have fully automated operations for all domestic taxes.  He said mandatory electronic filing will be implemented by September 2013 for defined taxpayer segments.