Tax Payment

Corporate Tax

Income tax is payable at the corporation rate by companies and unincorporated organizations and associations (excluding partnerships, sole proprietorships, and interest or dividend paid by a designated co-operative society) that have taxable income as defined by the Income Tax Act. The income of a partnership or a sole proprietorship is not taxable on the business entity but is taxed on the individual partner or the proprietor.

Each partner of a partnership and a sole proprietor is therefore required to declare his business and professional income as part of his personal income and pay tax according to his respective personal tax bracket.

Exemptions from corporation tax, on the application to the Commissioner, may be granted to entities of public character established solely for the relief of poverty or distress of the public, or for the advancement of religion or education and pension trusts and some other qualifying bodies.

The National government offers several tax based incentives mainly covering exemptions from duty and VAT on capital equipment and machinery to be used in the investment project. Other incentives include capital deductions and investment allowances.

Read more about the taxation regime in Kenya on the Kenya Revenue Authority Website

County taxes, User Charges and Fees

At the county level, every business must be licensed to operate within the county. Business licenses are obtained from the sub-county offices but the County government is streamlining the process to come up with a Single Business Permit that can be applied for and paid for electronically.

Other County taxes include Land Rates and Land Rent that are based on the assessed value of the land.