Tax Evaders: President Uhuru Orders Lifestyle Audit on Wealthy Kenyans

President Kenyatta has ordered a lifestyle audit on wealthy Kenyans who under-report their income in order to avoid paying taxes.

While warning that no one will be spared, Kenyatta says those found to have been evading tax will face the full force of the law.

“High net-worth individuals whose lifestyles are not reflective of the taxes they pay, if any, must be compelled to demonstrate the source of their wealth and contribute their share of tax accordingly…,” warns President Kenyatta.

The President has also urged Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to employ cutting-edge technology in its operations.

“Traders operating fake electronic tax registers and pocketing the VAT should also be brought to book. The law must reflect the seriousness of tax collection and the consequences of default,”says Kenyatta.

“There should be no space for tax evaders in Kenya.”

He has further assured that the government will pursue KRA officials who use their positions to evade taxes or help taxpayers to skip their obligation.

The taxman netted Sh329 billion in the first quarter ended September 2018, an increase from the Sh317.4 billion collected during the same period last year. KRA however missed the collection target for the quarter by Sh92.7 billion.