By Lauryne Akoth
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out an electronic Invoice System for businesses dubbed eTIMS.
In a press statement dated 4th March 2024, KRA issued directives for all persons carrying out businesses including the informal sector and small businesses to electronically generate and submit their invoices to KRA via the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS).
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) would like to remind the public that all persons carrying on business including those in the informal sector and small businesses are required to electronically generate and transmit their invoices to KRA via the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS),” read the notice in part.
According to KRA, the new system is a facilitative and collaborative approach to tax compliance. The service is accessible through the eCitizen platforms via *222# for the USSD invoicing solution and ecitizen.kra.go.ke for the web-based invoicing solution.
“To this end, we have availed eTIMS simplified solutions dubbed “eTIMS Lite” for non-VAT registered taxpayers. These solutions are accessible through the eCitizen platforms via *222# for the USSD invoicing solution and ecitizen.kra.go.ke for the web-based invoicing solution,” read the notice.
Besides implementing the eTIMS solutions, the KRA also announced its efforts towards actively promoting awareness and enhancing tax literacy, through consistent engagement with stakeholders and ongoing education initiatives aimed at individuals in the informal sector; including farmers, jua kali traders, and artisans, among others.
KRA also announced their collaboration with representative groups and associations within the informal sector to provide direct support to taxpayers in these segments for the successful adoption of eTIMS.
KRA invited taxpayers and representative bodies that experience challenges with the rolled-out solutions to reach out through their contact centre on Tel: (0) 20 4 999 999, 0711 099 999 or Email: callcentre@kra.go.ke
“KRA wishes to invite taxpayers and representative bodies who may experience challenges adopting the existing solutions to reach out to explore solutions tailored to cater for their specific needs. One such consideration is the reverse invoicing solution where a seller can/may give consent or authority to the buyer to issue invoices on their behalf,” concluded the notice.