Safaricom wants eTIMS out of M-Pesa transaction fees

Safaricom is seeking changes to the Income Tax Act to exempt M-Pesa transaction fees from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)’s electronic Invoice Management System(eTIMS), citing the strenuous task of generating paperwork for the millions of daily transactions.

The giant telco proposes that the M-Pesa transaction charges be deemed deductible expenses to spare users the agony of coming up copious volumes of electronically generated invoices on eTIMS.

A deductible for taxes is an expense that a taxpayer or business can subtract from adjusted gross income, which reduces their taxable income, thereby cutting the amount of taxes owed to the taxman.

“M-Pesa services such as withdrawing cash, sending e-money, buying pre-paid airtime et cetera attract transaction fees. The transaction volumes of this kind are in the tune of millions on any given day,” Safaricom said in its submission before the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee regarding Finance Bill 2024.

M-Pesa platform transactions

“In a month, the M-Pesa platform completes approximately 200 million transactions. To generate electronic tax invoices for each of these kinds of transactions, a seamless integration of several systems from both Safaricom’s and the Kenya Revenue Authority’s end is required,” it added.

The Finance Act 2023 amended Section 16 of the Income Tax providing that effective January 1, 2024, only expenses backed by eTIMS invoiced will be deemed admissible for income deduction purposes.

Disclosures by the telecommunications firm indicated that in the 12 months ended March 2024 alone, the value of M-Pesa transactions stood at the previous year.

This means that on average, the M-Pesa platform transactions averaged Sh110.25 billion daily.

Mobile money transactions

Safaricom further says fees incurred in the undertaking of mobile money transactions should be handled the same way fees related to other financial services are treated and, therefore, be accorded exemption from the requirement of being backed by eTIMS invoices.

The telco said given that the M-Pesa platform is widely used for mobilisation of resources for charitable undertakings, failure to exempt the platform’s transaction from mandatory eTIMS invoices risks derailing crowdfunding by Kenyans pursuing social and non-profit seeking outcomes.

“The requirement to issue electronic tax invoices applies to persons carrying on business in Kenya. However, most of charitable organisations do not conduct income-generating activities and therefore are not required to issue electronic tax invoices. Potential donors will shun donating to such charitable organisations as they are not incentivised through income tax deductions,” Safaricom told the committee.

Finance Bill 2024 has proposed the tightening of eTIMS implementation through amendment of the Tax Procedures Act providing for a steep penalty of Sh2.0 million per month for failure to integrate one’s systems with eTIMS for the generation of electronic invoices.

jamboko@ke.nationmedia.com

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

BNX

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Comedies

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Documentaries

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

One Health Lens Podcast

Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Primetime

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

Sport On

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Tech-over

The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Politalk podcast

This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.