MPs approve new tax on churches, NGOs engaging in businesses

Members of Parliament have supported the new tax regulations targeting churches, NGOs and other institutions that are exempted from taxes.

The National Assembly Committee on Delegated Legislation, chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, endorsed the Income Tax Regulations Bill (Charitable Organizations and Donations Exemptions) 2024, in a meeting with top officials of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

The Bill, proposed by former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u, seeks to outline requirements to be met by charitable institutions that qualify them for tax exemptions on their income and stipulate what donations will be considered for tax deductions.

During the committee session, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga informed the Committee that some churches and NGOs were profiting from ventures that are not related to their charitable missions.

"Many tax-exempt organizations are engaging in businesses which are unrelated to charitable purposes for which they are established to undertake without ploughing back such gains to the main objectives of the organization," Wattanga noted.

KRA Deputy Commissioner Maurice Oray echoed Wattanga's statements, stating that while some organizations benefit from tax exemptions, there is a need for more stringent regulations.

Following the submissions, the Committee gave the nod for the new tax recommendations.

"We have reviewed the regulations and are satisfied that they conform to the law," Chepkonga stated at the meeting.