Executive summary
On 25 April 2020, the President of Kenya assented to an Act of Parliament, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 (the Act). For background on the Bill, see EY Global Tax Alert, Kenya proposes Tax Laws Amendments Bill, 2020, dated 16 April 2020.
The Act makes various changes to the prevailing tax laws in Kenya. The following tax laws have been amended: The Income Tax Act (ITA), Value-Added Tax (VAT), Excise Duty Act, Tax Procedures Act, Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act and the Kenya Revenue Authority Act.
Some of the amendments are aimed at cushioning the public and the economy at large against the economic ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. This follows Presidential pronouncements issued on 25 March 2020.1 It is important to note that the reduction of the rate of VAT from 16% to 14% became effective on 1 April 2020 pursuant to a legal notice issued by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury.
This Alert summarizes the key changes included in the Act. Unless noted otherwise, the provisions are effective as of 25 April 2020.
Detailed discussion
Corporate income tax
Reduced corporate income tax rate
Following the President’s pronouncements on 25 March 2020, the Act has reduced the corporate income tax rate for resident companies from 30% to 25%. This will apply from the 2020 year of income. It is notable that the reduced rate does not apply to permanent establishments or branches with the rate being retained at 37.5%.
The Act also has repealed the reduced corporate income tax rates in relation to:
- Companies whose shares are listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) which were subject to tax at rates ranging from 20% to 27% for a defined period following the listing of the shares.
- Companies operating a plastics recycling plant which were subject to tax at the rate of 15% effective 2019.
Corporate tax rates applicable to companies in a special operating framework arrangement agreed between a company and the Government remain in force until expiry of such arrangements.
Expansion of the definition of qualifying interest
Qualifying interest refers to interest received by a resident individual from commercial banks or a financial institution licensed under the Banking Act, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and a registered Building society. Withholding tax on qualifying interest is final. The Act has expanded the definition to include all interest received by a resident individual.
This is a positive development as it will encourage investment by individuals in various interest-bearing instruments.
Withholding tax
The Act has introduced withholding tax on payments made to a nonresident person on account of:
- Sales, promotion, advertising and marketing services
- Transportation of goods excluding air and shipping transportation services
- Reinsurance premiums except for reinsurance premiums in respect of aircraft
The withholding tax rate applicable for sales, promotion, advertising and transportation services is 20% on the gross fees while reinsurance premiums are to be taxed at 5%.
In addition, the Act has increased the withholding tax rate for dividends paid to a nonresident person from 10% to 15%.
These changes aim to increase government revenue by taxing income that was previously untaxed. While the measures may raise revenue for the Government in the short term, in the long run the measures could dissuade nonresident investors thereby resulting in reduced revenue for the Government.
Deductibility of expenses
The Act repeals the 30% electricity rebate that was introduced in January 2019 by the Finance Act, 2018. This was an incentive to manufacturing companies which have had to contend with high cost of power over the years.
It’s unfortunate that this has been repealed when the Government is seeking to improve the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Exempt income
In a bid to sustain revenue collection, the Government has repealed exemptions previously granted to incomes of several Government parastatals, certain diplomats, as well as on other sources. Below are some notable ones:
| Deletion from exemption list | Impact |
| Dividends paid by a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) enterprise, developer or operator to a nonresident person | This might discourage investments into the SEZs, which is against the spirit of this legislation, and at a time when the country is experiencing an economic slowdown. |
| Dividends paid to a registered venture capital company, SEZ enterprise, developer or operator registered under the SEZ Act | |
| Compensating tax accruing to a power producer under a power purchase agreement | This may discourage investments by the private sector since the usefulness of the tax incentive which is granted to them is reduced by tax on income whenever dividends are paid out of income in which tax is not paid. |
Capital allowances/tax depreciation
The Act has repealed the Second Schedule to the Income Tax Act (ITA) and replaced it with a new schedule. Under the new schedule:
- Capital allowances will be claimed over a longer period.
- The attractive investment deduction of 150% of capital investment outside certain municipalities has been abolished.
The table below outlines the key highlights:
| Type of asset | Previous rate (%) | New rate (%) | Additional comment |
| Hotel building | 100 | 50 |
|
Building used for manufacture |
100 |
50 |
|
Hospital buildings |
Not provided for |
50 |
|
Petroleum or gas storage facilities |
100 |
50 |
|
Educational buildings including student hostels |
50 |
10 |
|
Commercial building |
25 |
10 |
|
Machinery used for manufacture |
100 |
50 |
Manufacture means the making, including packaging, of goods from raw or semi-finished goods, or the generation of electrical energy for supply to the national grid, or the transformation and distribution of electricity through the national grid, but does not include design, storage, transport, administration or any other ancillary activity |
Hospital equipment |
12.5 |
50 |
|
Ships or aircrafts |
100/ 25 |
50 |
|
Motor vehicles and heavy earth moving equipment |
37.5/ 25 |
25 |
|
Computer and peripheral computer hardware and software, calculators, copiers and duplicating machines |
30/20 |
25 |
|
Furniture and fittings |
12.5 |
10 |
|
Telecommunications Equipment |
20 |
10 |
|
Filming equipment by a local film producer licensed by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for filming |
100 |
25 |
|
Machinery used to undertake operations under a prospecting right |
100 |
50 |
|
Other machinery |
12.5 |
10 |
|
Purchase or an acquisition of an indefeasible right to use fiber optic cable by a telecommunication operator |
5 |
10 |
|
Farmworks |
100 |
50 |
|
Employment tax
Individual tax rates
The individual tax rates bands have been expanded with the minimum monthly taxable income rising to amounts above KES24,000. The new graduated tax bands are as follows:
Previous income band (annual) KES |
Current income band (annual) KES |
Applicable tax rate (%) |
On the first 147,580 |
On the first 288,000 |
10 |
On the next 139,043 |
On the next 200,000 |
15 |
On the next 139,043 |
On the next 200,000 |
20 |
On the next 139, 403 |
Income above 688,000 |
25 |
Income over 564,709 |
N/A |
30 |
The Act has also increased the individual annual tax relief from KES16,896 to KES28,800.
The widened tax bands and increased relief are welcome moves for individuals as it will translate to a higher disposable income in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in cash constraints for most people.
However, income accrued in prior periods but paid out now will still be taxable using the graduated tax bands and rates applicable in the year of accrual.
Pension withdrawal tax rates
The Act has reduced the highest tax band on pension withdrawals from registered retirement funds after 15 years to 25%, for amounts exceeding KES1,200,000 per annum.
In addition, the Act has widened the tax bands on income withdrawals from retirement funds before the expiration of 15 years in line with the individual tax rates highlighted above.
These changes will go a long way in increasing the disposable income available to retirees and a welcome measure in combating the financial hardships occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Turnover and presumptive tax
The Act has introduced several changes in relation to turnover tax as highlighted below:
- The annual income threshold for turnover tax has been set at between KES1 million and KES50 million.
- Turnover tax will also apply to incorporated companies. Previously turnover tax was only payable by unincorporated persons.
- The turnover tax rate has been reduced from 3% to 1%.
- The penalty for late submission of a turnover tax return has been reduced from KES5,000 to KES1,000.
- Presumptive tax previously payable at 15% has been repealed.
The above changes will help in managing the cashflow issues being experienced by small and medium enterprises in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inclusion of incorporated entities is a positive development since most small and medium enterprises set up legal entities for certain legal and financial reasons.
Amendments to tax procedures
Private rulings
The Act has increased the time limit for the Commissioner to issue a private ruling from 45 days to 60 days on receipt of an application by a taxpayer. The Act has also repealed the requirement by the Commissioner to publish a private ruling.
The law has, however, not provided for clear implications where the Commissioner does not respond within the stipulated timeline. This leaves the Commissioner with a lot of discretion with respect to taxpayers.
Value-added tax
VAT base for selected petroleum products
The Act amends the definition of the value of supply of petroleum products to include excise duty, fees and other charges. The change will increase the taxable value of the products and hence the VAT amount.
The new tax measure will result in a price increment of petroleum products and similar price increases on downstream products and services. This measure is counterproductive to the main objective of the Act to cushion Kenyans against the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective date: 15 May 2020
Additional criteria for issuance of a credit note
The Act allows businesses to issue a credit note within 30 days after the determination of a commercial dispute in court relating to the price payable.
Previously, the VAT Act only allowed businesses to issue credit notes within six months after the issuance of the relevant tax invoice. This provision aims to provide relief to businesses in cases where the court resolution of disputes ordinarily takes longer than the prescribed period.
Reduction in period within which to apply for VAT refunds arising from bad debts
The Act has reduced the period within which businesses can apply for VAT refunds arising from bad debts from five to four years if the debt remains unpaid for a period of three years from the date the supply was made. The change will require businesses to be prompt in seeking refunds, relating to bad debts, from the KRA as the window for claim has been reduced by one year.
Change to require all persons to maintain records of their transactions
Previously, only VAT-registered persons were required to maintain records. Going forward, all persons conducting business in Kenya will be required to maintain records of their business transactions for a period of five years and be ready to provide such records to authorized officials at all reasonable times for inspections.
Amendment of status of various VAT supplies
The Act amends the VAT status of the following products from taxable (14%) rate to exempt:
| The Act amends the VAT status of the following products from zero rate to exempt: | ||
| Description |
Previous rate | Current rate |
| Vaccines for human and veterinary medicine | 0% | Exempt |
| Medications | 0% | Exempt |
| The Act amends the VAT status of the following products from exempt to standard rated: | ||
| Description |
Previous rate | Current rate |
| Plants and machinery of Chapter 84 and 85 used for the manufacture of goods | Exempt | 14% |
| Taxable supplies, excluding motor vehicles, imported or purchased for direct and exclusive use in the construction of a power generating plant, by a company, to supply electricity to the national grid approved by Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for energy | Exempt | 14% |
Taxable supplies, excluding motor vehicles, imported or purchased for direct and exclusive use in geothermal, oil or mining prospecting or exploration, by a company granted prospecting or exploration license in accordance with Geothermal Resources Act, production sharing contracts in accordance with the provisions of Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act (Cap. 308) or mining license in accordance with the Mining Act (Cap. 306), upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for energy or the Cabinet Secretary responsible for mining, as the case may be |
Exempt |
14% |
Taxable supplies procured locally or imported for the construction of liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities with a minimum capital investment of four billion shillings and a minimum storage capacity of 15,000 metric tons as approved by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for liquefied petroleum gas |
Exempt |
14% |
Plastic bag biogas digesters |
Exempt |
14% |
Biogas |
Exempt |
14% |
Leasing of biogas producing equipment |
Exempt |
14% |
Parts imported or purchased locally for the assembly of computer, subject to approval by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, on recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for matters relating to information technology |
Exempt |
14% |
Taxable goods purchased or imported for direct and exclusive use in the construction and infrastructural works in industrial parks of one hundred acres or more including those outside special economic zones approved by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury |
Exempt |
14% |
Museum and natural history exhibits and specimens and scientific equipment for public museums |
Exempt |
14% |
Chemicals, reagents, films, film strips and visual aid equipment imported or purchased prior to clearance through the customs by the National Museums of Kenya |
Exempt |
14% |
Goods falling under tariff number 4907.00.90 “Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; bank-notes; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title” |
Exempt |
14% |
Materials and equipment for the construction of grain storage, upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary for the time being responsible for agriculture |
Exempt |
14% |
The transfer of a business as a going concern by a registered person to another registered person |
Exempt |
14% |
Taxable goods supplied to marine fisheries and fish processors upon recommendation by the relevant state department |
Exempt |
14% |
Goods imported or purchased locally for direct and exclusive use in the implementation of projects under a special operating framework arrangement with the Government |
Exempt |
14% |
Taxable services provided for direct and exclusive use in the construction and infrastructural works in industrial parks of one hundred acres or more on the recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Industrialization including those outside special economic zones approved by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury |
Exempt |
14% |
Taxable services procured locally or imported for the construction of LPG storage facilities with a minimum capital investment of four billion shillings and a minimum storage capacity of a total value of fifteen thousand metric tons as approved by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for LPG |
Exempt |
14% |
Asset transfers and other transactions related to the transfer of assets into real estate investment trusts and asset backed securities |
Exempt |
14% |
Services imported or purchased locally for direct and exclusive use in the implementation of projects under special operating framework arrangement with the Government |
Exempt |
14% |
Excise duty
Amendment of the definition of “other fees” as per the Excise Duty Act
The Act has amended the definition to provide clarity that only other fees as defined in the Act which relate to licensed activities are subject to excise duty. This makes it clear that fees earned from non-financial activities are not subject to excise duty.
Imposition of excise duty on exempt goods
The Act has introduced excise duty on the following products which were previously exempt:
Description |
Previous rate |
Current rate |
Goods imported or purchased locally for direct and exclusive use in the implementation of projects under special operating framework arrangements with the Government |
Exempt |
Excisable depending on the specific tariff |
One personal motor vehicle, excluding buses and minibuses of seating capacity of more than eight seats, imported by a public officer returning from a posting in a Kenyan mission abroad and another motor vehicle by the spouse and which is not exempted from Excise Duty under the Second Schedule |
Exempt |
Excisable depending on the specific tariff |
Miscellaneous fees and levies
Amendment of scope of the Railway Development Levy fund
The Act has amended scope of utilization of the funds raised through collection of Railway Development Levy (RDL) on imported goods to include operation of the standard gauge railway network to facilitate transportation of goods.
Previously, the funds were ring-fenced towards the construction of the standard gauge railway network.
Imposition of a processing fee on duty free motor vehicles
The Act has introduced KES10,000 (≈ USD 100) processing fees of on motor vehicles excluding motorcycles imported or purchased duty free prior to clearance through customs under the Fifth Schedule to the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.
Introduction of a processing fee on duty free items is intended to be a recovery measure of the costs of customs clearance of duty-free motor vehicles.
Imposition of Import Declaration Fees (IDF)
The Act amends the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act to introduce IDF on the following items which were previously exempt:
- Gifts and donations by foreign residents to their relatives in Kenya for their personal use
- Samples which in the opinion of the Commissioner have no commercial value
- Raw materials for direct and exclusive use in construction by developers or investors in industrial parks of one hundred acres or more located outside the municipalities of Nairobi and Mombasa
- Goods imported for the construction of liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities
Imposition of Railway Development Levy (RDL)
The Act amends the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act to introduce RDL on the following items which were previously exempt:
- Raw materials for direct and exclusive use in construction by developers or investors in industrial parks of one hundred acres or more located outside the municipalities of Nairobi and Mombasa
- Goods imported for the construction of liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities
- Goods imported for implementation of projects under special operating framework arrangements with the Government
Kenya Revenue Authority Act
Appointment of enforcement agencies
The Act has amended the Kenya Revenue Authority Act to empower the Commissioner to appoint a person registered under the Banking Act to act as an agent for revenue banking services through an agreement. Such a person will be required to submit the funds collected to the designated CBK account within two days. Failure to submit the funds collected within the stipulated two days will result in a penalty of 2% of the amount collected compounded daily for the period the funds are not submitted to the Central Bank. This is meant to enhance the collection of revenue for the Government.
Business Laws Amendment Act, 2020
Introduction of excise duty on selected imported glass bottles
The Business Laws Amendment Act made an amendment to Paragraph 1 of Part I of the First Schedule to the Excise Duty Act that prescribes the rates of excise duty on excisable goods. The amendment included imported glass bottles (excluding those for packaging of pharmaceutical products) in the list of excisable goods at an excise duty rate of 25%.
This change is expected to encourage the local manufacture of glass bottles by levying excise duty tax on imported glass bottles.
Effective date: 18 March 2020
Exemption of certain goods from Import Declaration Fee and Railway Development Levy
The Business Laws Amendment Act, 2020 has also exempted goods which are imported or purchased for the construction of bulk storage facilities for supporting the standard gauge railway operations (with a minimum storage capacity of one hundred thousand metric tons of supplies) from both RDL and import declaration fee.
Effective date: 18 March 2020
For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:
Ernst & Young (Kenya), Nairobi
- Francis Kamau | francis.kamau@ke.ey.com
- Christopher Kirathe | christopher.kirathe@ke.ey.com
- Hadijah Nannyomo | hadijah.nannyomo@ke.ey.com
- Simon Njoroge | simon.njoroge@ke.ey.com
- John Gikima | john.gikima@ke.ey.com
Ernst & Young Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd., Africa ITTS Leader, Johannesburg
- Marius Leivestad | marius.leivestad@za.ey.com
Ernst & Young Société d’Avocats, Pan African Tax – Transfer Pricing Desk, Paris
- Bruno Messerschmitt | bruno.messerschmitt@ey-avocats.com
- Alexis Popov | alexis.popov@ey-avocats.com
Ernst & Young LLP (United Kingdom), Pan African Tax Desk, London
- Rendani Neluvhalani | rendani.mabel.neluvhalani@uk.ey.com
- Byron Thomas | bthomas4@uk.ey.com
Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Pan African Tax Desk, New York
- Brigitte Keirby-Smith | brigitte.f.keirby-smith1@ey.com
- Dele Olagun-Samuel | dele.olaogun@ey.com
