Kenya Revenue Authority has so far collected Sh3.4billion from the ongoing tax amnesty programme which has entered its seventh week.

This is about seven per cent of the about Sh50 billion targeted in the programme that commenced on September 1, running up to June 30, 2024.

Speaking during a media round table, chief manager domestic taxes department Caroline Rotich said that more than 17, 000 taxpayers have so far applied for tax amnesty and are expected to remit Sh10.5 billion.

“We expect the number to immensely grow as we continue to create awareness amongst taxpayers.” said Rotich.

KRA has identified 2.8 million taxpayers who have penalties and interest and qualify for the tax amnesty programme.

The amnesty programme will allow KRA to waive billions from the taxpayers.

Qualified taxpayers will be entitled to automatic waiver of the penalties and interest related to that period and will not be required to make an amnesty application.

The taxman has urged taxpayers who have pending objections and court cases to consider out of court settlements with the authority,to allow them benefit from the amnesty.

KRA has developed an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework, which is an alternate means of resolving tax disputes outside the judicial process.

"KRA encourages concerned taxpayers to leverage on this programme for faster mutual, objective and efficient resolution of tax disputes," the taxman said in a statement on Tuesday.

Through the Finance Act 2023, KRA has introduced tax amnesty programme that allows taxpayers to apply for waiver of penalties and interest accrued until December 31, 2022.

Through this programme, taxpayers will only be required to pay the principal tax amount of outstanding tax debts.