KRA Sets iWhistle To Curb Tax Evasion

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday morning launched iWhistle, a web-based system that will enable anonymous reporting of tax crimes in order to curb tax evasion.

The new platform will enable the public to report tax crimes anonymously by accessing the web link; https://iwhistle.kra.go.ke./welcome/.

If there is credible information that leads to the collection of revenue tax fraud or tax evasion schemes, Commissioner General Mr. Gathii says there will be a cash reward of up to Ksh. 2 million as stipulated by the law (KRA Act cap 469 chapter 5A).

iWhistle comes as a solution for KRA efforts to curb revenue leakages through various tax evasion schemes.

Some of the tax evasion schemes are tax fraud, failure by a taxpayer to submit tax returns by the due date, concealment, misdeclaration, smuggling of goods, Customs Duty, manufacturing of counterfeit goods amongst others which are to be reported.

This is not the first time KRA has been trying to inculcate tax-paying culture in taxpayers.

Some of the initiatives include the implementation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), mechanisms such as tax tribunal, engagements with taxpayers through various educational programs, and agreed payment plans.

Other initiatives include the automation of business processes such as iTax, Integrated Customs Management System, Excise Goods Management System (EGMS), and Regional Electronic Goods Tracking System (RECTS) which all are aimed at minimizing human contact which can lead to compromising circumstances between taxpayers and KRA employees.

The introduction of this iWhistle comes at the end of KRA’s Tax payer’s month which was graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

This year’s Taxpayer’s month was themed, “Enhancing Tax Administration for Economic Sustainability,” and takes place on a special year where KRA celebrates its 25th Anniversary.