The Kenya Revenue Authority has moved to explain why Kenyans are receiving tax compliance messages which are not necessarily associated with them.<\/p>\n
The taxman was forced to issue a clarification after several Kenyans took to social media to question why they were receiving tax-related messages intended for others.<\/p>\n
According to multiple users, they received messages from the authority that were, however, addressed to unfamiliar names.<\/p>\n
In response, KRA took note of the messages, saying that they could be intended for individuals who had previously registered with the same phone number before it was reassigned to a new owner.<\/p>\n
“Kindly note they could be the ones who had registered with your current number before it was transferred to you,” the agency clarified.<\/p>\n
Some expressed confusion, others frustration, saying they were being repeatedly contacted over tax matters linked to identities they did not recognise.<\/p>\n
The messages were for employed individuals who had not filed tax returns, with KRA reminding them to file returns before the end of the June 30 timeline. Some of the messages also indicated that some users had not yet filed any returns since they got their PINs, with the taxman urging them to file.<\/p>\n
“Dear xx, KRA has established that you have yet to file your tax returns for the income earned since you received your PIN. File now via…” read one of the messages that have been sent multiple times to different people.<\/p>\n
According to many users, they were receiving notifications telling them they had earned a salary and should file returns despite not being formally employed and having no connection to the names in the messages.<\/p>\n
However, with the clarification from KRA, users receiving these messages are advised not to panic, with the authority noting that it is simply a case of old contact details linked to phone numbers that have since been reassigned to new subscribers.<\/p>\n
This means that the messages are not indications that those who received the notification are being pursued over any tax matter.<\/p>\n
The clarification comes amid a rush by taxpayers to file their annual tax returns before the June 30 timeline.<\/p>\n
KRA has also intensified efforts to ensure tax compliance, with the taxman sending notifications, especially to salaried Kenyans, urging them to comply.<\/p>\n
Tax filing has been made easier, with KRA introducing a system that Kenyans can file returns on WhatsApp, through a chatbot called Shuru.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Kenya Revenue Authority has moved to explain why Kenyans are receiving tax compliance messages which are not necessarily associated with them. The taxman was forced to issue a clarification after several Kenyans took to social media to question why they were receiving tax-related messages intended for others. According to multiple users, they received messages […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":161249,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-161250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community"],"yoast_head":"\n