The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that its Tax Amnesty Programme has recovered Kes 20.8 billion in overdue principal taxes, with Kes 28.7 billion having been self-declared as unpaid taxes.

In a statement, KRA says that taxpayers who have defaulted on filing and paying taxes have been spared Kes 244.7 billion in penalties and interest waivers.

The Finance Act of 2023 introduced the Tax Amnesty Programme, which allows taxpayers to benefit from amnesty on penalties and interest accrued for periods up to December 31, 2022, upon full payment of their respective principal taxes by June 30, 2024.

However, there will be no amnesty, waiver, or write-offs on penalties and interests past the deadline.

Additionally, KRA has clarified that the relief does not apply to customs and import duties and interest and penalties accrued after December 31, 2022.

KRA said that the initiative aims to enhance compliance and revenue mobilization while giving taxpayers with tax disputes a leeway to benefit from the existing Alternative Tax Dispute Resolution framework.

“KRA encourages more taxpayers to take advantage of the programme. The Authority urges Kenyans who have not been filing their returns to do so before 30th June 2024 and those that have not been paying and have accrued penalties and interest on their unpaid principal taxes to take advantage of the amnesty and clear any outstanding principal tax debts by 30th June 2024.”