In a bid to boost voluntary tax compliance, KRA has introduced a new way, to get small-scale traders to pay their dues on time using the popular messaging app.
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has made known its plans to roll out a WhatsApp bot that will allow taxpayers to generate electronic tax invoices.
KRA’s chief manager for eTIMS in the Domestic Taxes Department, Hakamba Wangwe, confirmed the issue.
What Is A Chatbot?
It is a computer program that simulates text-based human conversation via the WhatsApp messaging platform.
The chatbots, which can be integrated via the WhatsApp Business Platform, automatically respond to various customer communications, from service to sales.
KRA initiative is aimed at simplifying tax invoicing using the newly introduced Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) and boosting tax compliance, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Why It Was Necessary
KRA seeks to widen the tax bracket, by targeting informal businesses and MSMEs which are considered hard to tax.
The small business owners raised concerns about the complexity of the eTIMS system. Many who are not tech-savvy snubbed it, further affecting compliance.
Only 18% of businesses are registered with eTIMS since it was launched about a year ago. This suggests difficulties in using the system, hence the new approach using Whatsapp Chatbot.
How It Works
All business transactions will be required to be registered by KRA through an electronically generated invoice. The invoice will automatically alert KRA of VAT or income tax liability on the part of the seller or service provider.
The new directives will force suppliers and service providers to comply or lose business.
What is eTIMS?
eTIMS (electronic Tax Invoice Management System) is a software solution that provides taxpayers with options for a simple, convenient, and flexible approach to electronic invoicing.
Taxpayers can access eTIMS on various computing devices, including computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs).
It can be accessed in 2 ways:
- Web via (ecitizen.kra.go.ke)
- On your mobile device, Dial *222#, Select option 5 for KRA, and then select option 2 (sales invoice).
Other Companies Using The Chatbot
The Standard Group is catching up with technology as it taps into WhatsApp to circulate its e-paper.
For only Sh20, you can now get your Standard e-newspaper by sending the word NEWS on your WhatsApp to 0700222213. It is managed by Belva Digital.
