Why filing KRA returns is a MUST-DO for PIN holders.
With the rapid technological tranformations which the taxman has been undertaking over the years (latest being iTax), it is now easier for taxpayers to be monitored and checked for tax evasion and non-compliance. iTax has made it easy to access the Authority's services (albeit not all) without stepping a foot and having to endure the usual long queues at their offices.
Now back to the topic, "... i was 'forced' to get a KRA PIN to apply for HELB, must i file returns?" ; "I have a KRA PIN but am jobless, do i really need to file returns?"- these are the two common questions i often encounter on a daily basis, hence the motivation to pen down this article.
It is worth noting that every person who has obtained a KRA PIN, whether they are in employment or not, is mandated to file income tax returns before the 30th June of every year. The tax procedures Act No. 29 of 2015 states:
" A person who submits a tax return after the due date shall be liable to penalty—
(a) of twenty five percent of the tax due or ten thousand shilling whichever is higher,
if it is in relation to a return required to submitted on account of employment income;
(b) five thousand shillings if it is in relation to a return required to be submitted under
Turnover Tax; or
(c) in any other case—
(i) five per cent of the amount of tax payable under the return; or
(ii) twenty thousand shillings, whichever is the higher."
Sadly, many Kenyans are not aware of this. If you have not been submitting returns in the yester years, it is a good idea to visit your tax station and sort out the mess before the Caesar surprise you with a huge bill.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, when he was the minister for Finance sought to clear the quagmire to ease the burden on Kenyans and reduce unnecessary filings.
I propose to abolish the filing of returns by employees who have no other income and their PAYE has been paid to exchequer by their employers.
Stated Kenyatta during his 2011/12 Budget speech in parliament.
So, you have a PIN? no choice, filing returns is a must-do. If not employed or a student with no other sources of income, then just head over and file a NIL return. CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO FILE NIL RETURNS.
Now you know, log on to iTax and file your returns, it's now easier. In case you need some assistance, write me an email on rotichkv@gmail.com or dial 0722986142. Good Luck!
Those Escapades Part 1
Everyone looks at the watch.Ghrrrr! it's 10 minutes to 11pm. The
landlord would close the gate at 10, at exactly that time and there was
no two ways about it. Everyone becomes sad, but am the saddest one here,
with my light weight(I was barely 47kgs), I would be the one to climb
over, yes, over the 3-metre gate reinforced with
sharp glasses to open it for the staggering fellows. Honestly these are the moments I wished I were a 'Yokozuna'. Of imaginations and wishes, many said I spoke with negro accent, I couldn't figure out but may be because of my mad obsession with black American films(gangster life, hip-hop, crack-houses and all that 'shit').
It would be Friday, but not an ordinary one. It's a few days onto the new month and our wallets are 'fat'-we were working for a multinational company. We weren't on night shift, probably it was our off-day or we were supposed to be at work the following morning. Rare excitement was evident on our faces, it was gonna be a great night!
It's 6.30 pm, time to prepare supper. This early! Rich would dash to the butchery as i went over to Atieno's to buy a bunch of 'sukuma wiki'. This is the only 'mboga' shade where you would find fish too. It was dark and visibly aged. Atieno's family were probably the oldest residents of Landmawe Estate and were the only Luos doing 'biashara'. Their compatriots from the lakeside would trot here to buy fish. Talk of fish! 'Samaki', the school girl living next door earned herself this name at the Atieno's. My ever smiling pal, Alex, was so much into her, now for a long time. One night, we bumped into her at the Atieno's, dressed in a buibui(I didn't know whether she was Muslim). That was the opportunity! Alex rubbed his hands, I guess to gather courage and off he went! After dropping a few lines, the lady smiled and sentimentally, "aki si unibuyie samaki?".....and Alex was dumb!
Back in the crib, we would hastily prepare the meal at a speed no one would explain. It was a rule for us to first eat before going out.Very responsible lads. After enjoying the once in a while delicacy, we were hot on our heels, the three of us and sometimes with Bene, the cheeky neighbor who would just laugh at anything. 'Chairman Keg and Wines' was our destination, only a stone throw away from our house. It was a tiny, iron-sheeted bar with long benches and tables. The bar was rumored to belong to a student and it was puzzling how he came up with the name wine, because you couldn't find them here.
Landmawe had uncountable bars, it was arguably the 'drinking city', mainly for the rich from the nearby Hazina and South B Estates. They were all but expensive and Chairman's was our savior, our class, our own. Here you would find all sorts of people, all characters but damn! poverty isn't a good thing. We always strive to be superior over fellow poor. Some even pretended to be members of the disciplined forces, just to gain pride and instill fear.Ironically, they would still beg for 'kanusu' of Flying Horse brandy. On a friday like this one, Chairman's would be abuzz, extremely full to a point revellers would be given empty kegs and soda bottles to sit on. Cigarette smoke would fill the air, of course no one would complain. In places like this you cannot find a designated smoking zone.
Shiko, the bartender would come to our table when the entourage had secured seats. She wouldn't ask for the kind of the drink, but the quantity. We were regular customers here and 'Senator Keg' was known to be our drink except Vinny, my homie from Konoin. He loved caps and used to fear bosses at work, a lot.Vinny would drink cheap but hard spirits, you could even tell that by the 'redishness' of his lips. With straws we would sip the 'sambaza' straight from the jugs. Bene would give up only at halfway and Rich would 'assist' him. So high that he would spring up, shrieking, as he danced to the Caribbean tunes. This was the genre of music being played here.Ras(we didn't know his name) was our man, he was the bouncer at the joint. You would face his wrath if you refused to pay. We would buy him 'veve' and the smallest cup of Senator Keg and he would play our favorite music, or even rewind them as we wished. Wasn't that fantastic? We would drink ourselves out, a jug after the other shaking our now heavy heads to the riddims. It was fun but suddenly a power outage cut it short.The 'drunkards' started throwing all kinds of insults, as many as one could to the Kenya Power
Everything came to a standstill, everyone is angry, too angry. There are no emergency generators here. Anyway, it was time to call it night. As we rose up to leave, a huge bang went off, followed by bright flashlights piercing through the ensuing darkness. Terrified, everyone scrambled for the door, but there was no way out.......A police land-cruiser lay in waiting.
sharp glasses to open it for the staggering fellows. Honestly these are the moments I wished I were a 'Yokozuna'. Of imaginations and wishes, many said I spoke with negro accent, I couldn't figure out but may be because of my mad obsession with black American films(gangster life, hip-hop, crack-houses and all that 'shit').
* * *
It would be Friday, but not an ordinary one. It's a few days onto the new month and our wallets are 'fat'-we were working for a multinational company. We weren't on night shift, probably it was our off-day or we were supposed to be at work the following morning. Rare excitement was evident on our faces, it was gonna be a great night!
It's 6.30 pm, time to prepare supper. This early! Rich would dash to the butchery as i went over to Atieno's to buy a bunch of 'sukuma wiki'. This is the only 'mboga' shade where you would find fish too. It was dark and visibly aged. Atieno's family were probably the oldest residents of Landmawe Estate and were the only Luos doing 'biashara'. Their compatriots from the lakeside would trot here to buy fish. Talk of fish! 'Samaki', the school girl living next door earned herself this name at the Atieno's. My ever smiling pal, Alex, was so much into her, now for a long time. One night, we bumped into her at the Atieno's, dressed in a buibui(I didn't know whether she was Muslim). That was the opportunity! Alex rubbed his hands, I guess to gather courage and off he went! After dropping a few lines, the lady smiled and sentimentally, "aki si unibuyie samaki?".....and Alex was dumb!
Back in the crib, we would hastily prepare the meal at a speed no one would explain. It was a rule for us to first eat before going out.Very responsible lads. After enjoying the once in a while delicacy, we were hot on our heels, the three of us and sometimes with Bene, the cheeky neighbor who would just laugh at anything. 'Chairman Keg and Wines' was our destination, only a stone throw away from our house. It was a tiny, iron-sheeted bar with long benches and tables. The bar was rumored to belong to a student and it was puzzling how he came up with the name wine, because you couldn't find them here.
Landmawe had uncountable bars, it was arguably the 'drinking city', mainly for the rich from the nearby Hazina and South B Estates. They were all but expensive and Chairman's was our savior, our class, our own. Here you would find all sorts of people, all characters but damn! poverty isn't a good thing. We always strive to be superior over fellow poor. Some even pretended to be members of the disciplined forces, just to gain pride and instill fear.Ironically, they would still beg for 'kanusu' of Flying Horse brandy. On a friday like this one, Chairman's would be abuzz, extremely full to a point revellers would be given empty kegs and soda bottles to sit on. Cigarette smoke would fill the air, of course no one would complain. In places like this you cannot find a designated smoking zone.
Shiko, the bartender would come to our table when the entourage had secured seats. She wouldn't ask for the kind of the drink, but the quantity. We were regular customers here and 'Senator Keg' was known to be our drink except Vinny, my homie from Konoin. He loved caps and used to fear bosses at work, a lot.Vinny would drink cheap but hard spirits, you could even tell that by the 'redishness' of his lips. With straws we would sip the 'sambaza' straight from the jugs. Bene would give up only at halfway and Rich would 'assist' him. So high that he would spring up, shrieking, as he danced to the Caribbean tunes. This was the genre of music being played here.Ras(we didn't know his name) was our man, he was the bouncer at the joint. You would face his wrath if you refused to pay. We would buy him 'veve' and the smallest cup of Senator Keg and he would play our favorite music, or even rewind them as we wished. Wasn't that fantastic? We would drink ourselves out, a jug after the other shaking our now heavy heads to the riddims. It was fun but suddenly a power outage cut it short.The 'drunkards' started throwing all kinds of insults, as many as one could to the Kenya Power
Everything came to a standstill, everyone is angry, too angry. There are no emergency generators here. Anyway, it was time to call it night. As we rose up to leave, a huge bang went off, followed by bright flashlights piercing through the ensuing darkness. Terrified, everyone scrambled for the door, but there was no way out.......A police land-cruiser lay in waiting.
The Two Ticks
The two ticks.
The fat,black, flashy tick,
ever smiling at me,
and the brown,tall,round-eyed tick,
perched,
deep deep inside my ear.
The two ticks,
pitiless,have decided to feast on me,
day and night,all night!
determined, to bring me to my knee,
They do it with euphoria,
as a female baby calf,
full of pride.
Thumbing chests, spiteful,
boasting,tossing expensive wine,
showing the world, their cheap wealth.
The two ticks,
cheers on , thunderously,
as poverty tears my ribs,
with its sharp,poisoned arrows.
I make their day,
I tickle them, crack their ribs,
when am drained of ideas, money
money to buy tawet.
They beam with admiration,
grinning, patting their smelly backs,
when am hopeless,weak,
lying down,sick!!
But,the two ticks,
are my friends,my people,my blood.
I shelter them during the flood,
I feed them, when famine strikes.
Am always there for them,in adversity
lending a hand,in times of need and calamity.
The two ticks,
spits on my face, thankless,
like a teenage donkey,
in the hands of a new master.
They have kicked at my testicles,
and broke my ribs.
They have turned against me.
They have even invited their friends,
to wage war against me.
Mooo! Mooo! Mooo!
Who will hear my painful cry?
The desolate midnight cry.
Who will come to my rescue?
From the mischief of these ticks.
They are sucking me dry.
They want my milk too!
Victor Rotich
R.I.P Grandma
It's hard to forget that day, we talked on phone,
I still doubt you are forever gone,
Never again, to taste your food,
And to share your jokes which brightened our mood.
You were there for me,
when the world was always mean,
Quickly, you would come in with advice,
When i was in for malice.
Caring, loving and encouraging you were,
Ever happy seeing me go for more,
Your heart was so mild,
And slowly, i was becoming your child.
Victor Rotich.
Fragile Love
Always went to bed thinking about you,
my dearest and lovely you,
my love was deep, and true,
our glamour and romance
shed my gloom,
never knew it was full of doom.
After all those years,
of waiting, pain and tears,
I finally had you with cheers.
I blustered to rival peers,
as i embraced my answered prayers.
The whole world was becoming mine,
all we did was dine and wine.
Everything was kicking fine,
till that day, when all hell broke loose,
you turned me into a goose.
I wake up different, everything head-on,
distraught, my miseries becoming legion.
Your fake cuddles, smiles all left me in the desert,
the love in your face was never to the heart,
mistress, not at all were you down to earth!
www.poemhunter.com/poem/
Victor Rotich.
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About Victor
Victor was birthed & grew up in the village, but spent his spring-tide in the city. That's what as he says, made him versatile. He is a techie, sedulous & obeisant. Strangers describe him as 'quite.' He spends his free time writing & blogging.
