The Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA) has advised the public to be on the lookout for individuals and groups purporting to assist them to escape taxation of rental income. The groups, KRA says in a statement, are asking taxpayers to pay money for the service, and in the process misleading them on tax compliance and legal provisions. “Taxpayers are advised to always seek advice from recognized professional groups on tax matters”, the statement reads.  Some of the groups alleged to be duping the public are already placing adverts on local dailies, saying that the law is on taxpayer’s side, and that they can help property owners beat KRA, but at a fee.

The unscrupulous groups are chancing on the recent directive by the Finance Minister, Njeru Githae, for KRA to implement a comprehensive strategy that will rope landlords into the tax bracket. It is a move that has been opposed by many, including the Consumer Federation of Kenya, the Central Organisation of Trade Unions and the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya.  Landlords who have not been remitting their rental income tax have also come gritty in defense, with some even threatening to increase their rents. This has however been thwarted by the Finance Minister, calling it ‘criminal’ for landlords to think of increasing house rents.

The Commissioner of Domestic Taxes advises the public to check out relevant information regarding taxation of rental income on the authority’s website