Finance Bill update: Majority of amendments sail through

Majority of the amendments to the Finance Bill, 2024 have been adopted as MPs began the committee consideration of the government’s tax proposals.

Notable amendments that have sailed through include those moved by the Chairperson of the Finance and Planning Committee Kuria Kimani (Molo MP).

MPs have voted to adopt an amendment to delete clauses that included tax on bread, internet and diaspora remittance.

The tax is among those that swirled public anger and discontent over the Finance Bill, 2024 amid soaring street protests across the country.

Lawmakers have also voted 'yes' to amend Clause 39 of the Finance 2024 Bill, allowing manufacturers deduct excise on raw materials.

MPs voted yes to amend Clause 41 of Finance Bill 2024, allowing Excise duty to be paid on the 5th day of every month instead of within 24 hours as earlier proposed.

At the same time, MPs voted 'yes' to amend proposals on eco-levy, consequently exempting sanitary towels and tyres from the eco-levy.

The eco-levy will now apply on finished imported products only.

MPs also voted to amend Clause 51 to exempt farmers, small businesses and enterprises with turnover less than Sh1 million from e-Tims registration.

During the Tuesday morning sitting chaired by deputy speaker Gladys Shollei(Uasin Gishu), lawmakers also amended Clause 63 of the Bill to delete part exempting KRA from Data Protection Act.

The clause sparked outrage amid fears that it would allow KRA unfettered access to Kenyans pry on Kenyans’ data and snooping for non-compliance on tax payment.

Section 65 of the Value Added Tax Act has also been amended by inserting the words ‘and exported goods’ immediately after the words ‘imported taxable goods’.

The lawmakers have also amended Clause 60 to exclude employees of national carriers from carrying KRA Pin while working outside the country.

Opposition allied MPs who had amendments dropped them and want the Bill rejected in totality.