The taxman’s failure to promptly respond to current technology challenges affecting the tax return system, iTax, is to say the least unhelpful.
Many property owners have been unable to file returns from last month when the bug first hit iTax, causing it to stall. And with such a prolonged dysfunction, a likely pile-up before the Thursday deadline could lock out many people seeking to file returns, with no fault of their own.
The disappointing thing is that KRA has all along appeared shy to admit the problem, even as it affects thousands of taxpayers.
There can be no doubt that efficiency of the system is critical for tax compliance and the taxman needs to be more proactive, especially when the problem is emanating from his end.
Notably, KRA needs to temper any action against taxpayers with the knowledge that it is largely to blame on this one.
It would only be fair for the KRA to quickly admit there is a problem and demonstrate that something is being done about it.
Certainly, the fact that many taxpayers out there are facing challenges and the taxman appears to deliberately remain silent, is uninspiring. It is definitely not in order for a KRA to want to be insulated and unaccountable to the public while it is always quick to severely punish taxpayers.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
