How to get in trouble with the Revenue Authority
The quickest way is to avoid the iTax platform and not file your return. What’s the harm in missing a cycle, right? If all you have is a salary and you need to file once a year, then you can skip that, maybe just once, right? If you are registered for VAT or earn rental income then there’s no harm in missing that one month’s filing, is there? Well, simply put, do so and discover the consequences.
The zen path is obviously to be on time with the filing of returns. While the penalty amount may not seem like much to some, it is still an amount that need not be incurred. Probably consider paying to Caesar only that which belongs to Caesar.
Another sure way to get in trouble with the Revenue Authority, and please pay close attention to this one, is to ‘mis-declare’ your income. In other words, to tell a tale devoid of the truth. I know this kind of mischief got me in trouble with my parents when I was a young man and stirred in them such anger as to cause them to (want to) harm me. I assure you, the Revenue Authority will feel the same way about you in case you under-state your income. Someone will be gnashing teeth!
Finally, to ensure you have secured a place in the bad books of the Revenue Authority, do not pay the taxes you owe the Government. You have filed the returns, then you decide “no” to payment, right? Well, wrong! That is another sure way to encounter the wrath of the KRA agents.
Consider yourself advised. These “don’ts” will assure you of a penalty, arrest or some loss of business.