The Kenya Revenue Authority has announced the introduction of taxes to be paid when seeking or renewing business permits or licensing from the County governments.
In a public notice, KRA indicated that starting January 1, 2019, Kenyans will be paying presumptive tax when paying their business permit fees or trade license charges.
The authority further clarified that the taxes shall only be applicable to persons whose businesses only attract less than Kshs5 Million in annual turnover.
"Persons acquiring or renewing business permit or licence at the County shall pay this tax at the rate of 15 per cent of the business permit fee or licence payable.
"The tax does not apply to persons engaged in management or professional services, rental businesses and incorporated companies," the notice by KRA reads in part.
The eligible taxpayers have been required to access the iTax portal to make payments for the presumptive taxes. Once on the KRA portal, one shall then proceed to generate a Payment Registration Number (PRN) under the Presumptive Tax Payment section on the portal.
The taxes are in line with the requirements in the Finance Act, 2018 which was dramatically survived being overturned in parliament as a few MPs walked out of a vote that was opposed to President Kenyatta's directive.