Lamudi Kenya Looks At New Tax Regime In Kenya And How It Disrupts The Property Market
Leading property portal Lamudi looks at taxes imposed on the real estate sector
Kenya Revenue Authority is seeking to amend the rental tax policy in a move to tap into the thriving real estate sector. Despite the law being in place, landlords have not adhered to it, thus the tax authority is seeking to enact the policy fully.
The authority hopes to move the responsibility of the tax from the landlord to the tenant – a move that is set to disrupt the industry. According to Lamudi’s recent annual report, more Kenyans are opting to rent than buy property, with 79 percent of online house-hunters looking for rentals while 21 percent are searching for property for sale.
Lamudi Kenya Managing Director Dan Karua said: “Imposing a tax on the rent paid by the tenant will distort the market prices and ultimately affect the real estate sector significantly.”
Tenants will now pay the rental tax simultaneously when they pay rent for their household. Currently,landlords are required to pay tax on rental earnings under the Income Tax Act, Cap 470. In the past, many people have not complied with the regulation, prompting the revenue authority to adjust the policy.
However, Mr. Karua noted that this is a clear indication of the health of the property sector, which KRA hopes to benefit from. The sector has grown significantly over the past two decades to offer returns on investments of between 20 -30 percent, according to Lamudi’s research.
The capital gains tax is another way in which the tax authority is tapping into the lucrative real estate sector. The remittance of the tax was to begin from January 2015.
The tax was abolished in 1985 to enable the real estate and security markets to thrive. However, it was reintroduced in September last year, with a new law imposing a five percent tax on the gains accrued from the sale of property.
The government is seeking ways to finance its expenditure, which is escalating due to ongoing reforms in government structure and developments projects.
Mr Karua said: “These taxes will definitely affect the real estate market while spurring the economy of the country.”
However, there is still uncertainty over the how the tax will be collected by the revenue authority despite the taxman saying it will be deducting the tax directly, he concluded.
About Lamudi
Launched in 2013, Lamudi is a global property portal focusing exclusively on emerging markets. The fast-growing platform is currently available in 28 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with more than 750,000 real estate listings across its global network. The leading real estate marketplace offers sellers, buyers, landlords and renters a secure and easy-to-use platform to find or list properties online.
About AIG
Africa Internet Group introduces and accelerates the online shift in Africa – for its people and its culture. It is committed to running successful and vibrant internet companies which boost the evolution of African online culture. AIH is the parent group of nine successful and fast-growing companies in more than 20 African countries, accounting for over 3000 staff.
AIH cares about entrepreneurship and brings together all the key elements required to build great companies: team, concept, technology and capital. Its network of companies includes JUMIA, Kaymu, Hellofood, Lamudi, Carmudi, Zando, Jovago, Lendico and Easy Taxi.
