Taxpayers set to meet more with taxmen after latest KRA move

Some years ago, shows and trade fairs were the preserve of business organisations that took part with the sole aim of maximising profits.

Today, other organisations, including Government agencies, are taking an interest in trade fairs where they get the change to exhibit their products and services. For instance, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been conspicuous at the ongoing Agricultural Society of Kenya Show in Kisumu. One may argue that KRA does not need to take part in trade fairs. After all, Kenyans are obliged by law to pay taxes.

In fact, failing to pay taxes attracts very heavy penalties. It is a step in the right direction for KRA to find time to interact with existing and potential taxpayers to answer their questions and address their concerns as far as taxes are concerned, especially because KRA has been accused of charging high taxes. The authority's staff are friendly and approachable and help to paint a completely different picture from the police-like image the authority has been associated with.

They should maintain this and do more.

The new approach will encourage taxpayers to visit the taxman whenever they have burning issues and significantly reduce instances of taxpayers being duped or failing to pay their taxes, which compromises Government operations as taxes are the State's main source of income.

The authority seems to be alive to the fact that you do not have to be in the business of profit-making to go that extra mile to exhibit what you do for the public.