KRA’s Real-Time Crypto Transaction Tracking
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a significant overhaul of its tax collection system, aiming to modernize its operations and enhance transparency. The new system, which utilizes cutting-edge technologies, is designed to track cryptocurrency transactions in real time. This initiative is part of a broader tax reform strategy aimed at curbing tax evasion and establishing a more transparent and efficient tax collection process.
According to reports from local media, the KRA is set to integrate its system with various cryptocurrency exchanges and marketplaces. This integration will enable the collection of comprehensive transaction data, including the date, time, type, and value of each transaction. The primary objective is to broaden the tax base and recover significant revenue that has been lost due to the previous system’s inability to effectively monitor digital asset transactions.
Recently, Kenyan regulators have highlighted the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to further enhance the detection and prevention of tax evasion. This technological advancement is expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of revenue collection, ensuring compliance with existing tax laws.
Impact of Revised Tax Framework for Digital Assets
The Kenyan government is actively working towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. Despite the widespread popularity of cryptocurrencies in the country, the industry remains largely unregulated. In a recent discussion with BitKE, Nickson Omondi, Manager at KRA’s Digital Economy Tax Office, shed light on the evolving landscape of digital asset taxation in Kenya.
Omondi noted that previous tax laws primarily targeted non-resident entities and multinationals operating without a physical presence in Kenya. However, a legislative shift in September 2023 aimed to incorporate crypto investors into the tax system. This change has clarified the tax obligations for digital asset users, who were previously uncertain about their eligibility for taxation on cryptocurrency earnings.
Under the current legal framework, cryptocurrency exchanges are required to withhold 3% of each digital asset transaction’s value and remit it to the Kenyan government. Omondi emphasized the importance of clear communication among various authorities in Kenya regarding digital asset regulations, considering it a positive development for the industry.
