Overview of Income Tax for Youth-Based Self-Help Groups

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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) was established by an Act of Parliament, Chapter 469 of the laws of Kenya , which became effective on 1st July 1995 . The Authority is charged with the responsibility of collecting revenue on behalf of the Government of Kenya.

A Board of Directors, consisting of both public and private sector experts, makes policy decisions to be implemented by KRA Management. The Chairman of the Board is appointed by the President of the Republic of Kenya .

The Chief Executive of the Authority is the Commissioner General who is appointed by the Minister for Finance.

PURPOSE OF KRA
Assessment , Collection, Administration and Enforcement of laws relating to revenue.

Organization
The Authority is a Government agency that runs its operations in the same was as a private enterprise. In order to offer better single-window services to taxpayers, KRA is divided into five Regions as follows:
Rift Valley Region
Western Region
Southern Region
Northern Region
Central Region

KRA is divided into the following Departments, which are headed by Commissioners:
Customs Services Department
Domestic Services Department – Medium & Small Taxpayers(MST)
Domestic Taxes Department – Large Taxpayers Office (LTO)
Investigations & Enforcement
Technical Support Services
Corporate Support Services

The Technical Support Services Department comprises of the following:
Research & Corporate Planning
Compliance Risk & Quality Management
Marketing & Communication
Road Transport
Dispute Resolution
Kenya School of Revenue Administration
Laboratory

Corporate Support Services Department comprise of the following:
Human Resources
Finance
Procurement
Regional Offices
Administration & Logistics

In addition to the six major departments, the Authority has the following service departments that enhance its operational efficiency:
Risk Management & Internal Audit
Ethics & Integrity
Legal Services
Information Communication Technology
The office of the Board Secretary handles all issues related to the Board of Directors.

Role of KRA in the economy
To administer and to enforce written laws or specified provisions of written laws pertaining to assessment, collection and accounting for all revenues in accordance with these laws.
Advise on matters pertaining to the administration or and the collection of revenue under written laws.

Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of tax administration by eliminating Bureaucracy, Procurement, Promotion, Training and Discipline.

Eliminate tax evasion by simplifying and streamlining procedures and improving tax payer service and education thereby increasing the rate of compliance.

Promote professionalism and eradicate corruption amongst K.R.A. employee by paying adequate salaries that enables the institution to attract and retain competent professionals of integrity and sound ethical morals.

Restore Economic Independence and Sovereign pride of Kenya by eventually eliminating the perennial budget deficits by creating organizational structures that maximize revenue collection.
Ensure protection of local Industries and facilitate economic growth through effective administration of tax laws relating to trade.

Ensure effective allocation of scarce resources in the economy by effectively enforcing tax policies thereby sending the desired incentives and shift signals throughout the country.

Facilitate distribution of income in socially acceptable ways by effectively enforcing tax laws affecting income in various ways.
Facilitate economic stability and moderate cyclic fluctuations in the economy by providing effective tax administration as an implementation instrument of the fiscal and stabilization policies.
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