HISTORY KENYA Kenya – Gamblers among losers in treasury’s Kshs. 3.03T budget 1 year ago Szarlot Post Views: 1,281 The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani while presenting FY2021/2022 budget before Parliament acknowledged prevailing revenue collection challenges owing to the effects of COVID-19. In the coming financial year which begins on 1st July 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is expected to collect ordinary revenues amounting to Kshs. 1.78 trillion in order to fund the Kshs. 3.03 trillion budget. National Treasury expects to generate additional Kshs. 8.7 billion through custom measures agreed by East Africa Community partners states and proposed amendments in the Finance Bill 2021. “Further, I propose to provide VAT exemption to diagnostic and laboratory reagents, artificial respirators including therapeutic respiration apparatus, breathing appliances, gas masks as well as medical equipment and technologies used in the provision of medical services. It is my hope that the suppliers of these medicaments and medical equipment will reciprocate by making their prices affordable,” – said CS Yatani. With new covid variant still lurking in the country, CS Yatani has eased pressure on manufacturers of pharmaceutical products who will now enjoy exemptions on inputs used in the making of medical ventilators and breathing appliances in order to boost access among patients with covid complications. Mining and exploration firms will also enjoy VAT exemptions on VAT goods used exclusively in geothermal or oil exploration and mining prospects which the government expected to expand development in the mining and exploration sector. “Mr. Speaker, to boost Kenya’s effort on green energy, I propose to exempt from VAT equipment for generation of solar and wind energy.” Power producers who had signed a power purchase agreements with the government before April 2020 will also continue to enjoy VAT exemptions on taxable goods until the projects are finalized. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Developers who transfer their developments such as affordable housing and special projects like students hostels will also qualify for VAT exemptions in order to deepen Capital Markets by encouraging investors to participate in REITs. Losers While betting craze has been subdued by the health pandemic, treasury has noted the effects gambling has had on society and proposed to reintroduce excise duty on betting at the rate of 20 percent of the amount wagered. Importers of potatoes, peas, tomatoes among others will also be required to pay a duty rate of 30% for a year in order to protect local farmers from cheap imports. Treasury also targets to encourage non-registered persons to join the National Health Insurance Fund by amending the Income Tax Act to allow contributions to the National Health Insurance Fund qualify for tax relief at the rate of 15% of the contributed amount. Source: kbc.co.ke SzarlotI am a fan of casino games especially roulette and blackjack. After that I analyze current events in the gambling industry. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Tags: budget, Kenya, National Treasury, SC Yatani Continue Reading Previous Nairobi introduces citywide gambling regulationsNext Kenyan football clubs warn 20% betting stake tax makes sport “unsustainable” More Stories BETTING KENYA Kenya: Matiangi Orders Betting Board to Ensure Gaming Firms 3 weeks ago Iwo Bulski BETTING KENYA Mozzart Bet unveils Nandi Road Race sponsorship 3 weeks ago Samuel EXPERTS KENYA MPs rejection of Finance Bill good, but let’s explore ways of reducing debt 4 weeks ago Iwo Bulski KENYA ONLINE Playson Expands Presence in Africa via Kiron Partnership 4 weeks ago Szarlot KENYA ONLINE Kenya video gamers face uphill battle to make their mark 4 weeks ago Samuel EXPERTS KENYA State seeks to hold suspect cash, properties for longer 1 month ago Samuel KENYA Court bets against former Kiron employee’s assurances 1 month ago Szarlot EXPERTS KENYA Regulator now orders audit on betting firms’ sponsorship deals 1 month ago Samuel BETTING KENYA Gamblers win Sh380bn through SportPesa bets 1 month ago Szarlot BETTING KENYA Low-income people finance Kenyan bookmaking companies 1 month ago Samuel KENYA ONLINE Kenyans top global uptake of mobile money-based app loans 1 month ago Szarlot BETTING KENYA The boom in online sportsbetting in Africa 1 month ago Szarlot Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.