KRA rolls out new system targeting Sh500 million daily from betting companies

As part of its aim to increase tax compliance in the billion shiling gambling industry, betting companies are now required to pay taxes daily by 1:00am.

The KRA has linked its systems with those of around seven sports gaming firms in order to plug the loopholes of tax leakages that were exacerbated by the 30-day time lag.

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Taxes were normally paid after 30 days. However, the betting companies have been remitting the taxes they collect every day by 1:00 am when a lot of Kenyans stop betting.

The new system will allow real-time computation of taxes and track the 15 percent tax on betting, gaming and lottery as well as the 20 percent withholding tax on winnings collected every day.

National Treasury projects to collect Sh15 billion from betting this year, and as a result, the KRA aims to collect approximately Sh500 million from betting firms daily.

In a recent joint media interview, President William Ruto has hinted that KRA was in the final stages of developing a new tax system to ensure it collects close to 100% of all collectable taxes in Kenya.

This means that after being piloted in the betting industry, KRA could expand the new system to other industries.

"We are installing a new tax system which is going to drive the collection of value-added tax to between 90% to 97%," Ruto said.

He added that the new system would close the revenue gap in the country, whereby KRA is only collecting about 60% of all collectable taxes.

The head of state said that the key to getting the country out of the debt hole is to put the brakes on additional borrowing and increase revenue collection.

"Every government service where tax is payable is going to be collectable online. I will not wait for anybody to file a return at the end of the month. We will be paying taxes as we spend our money or as we do our businesses," he said.