Tax - The Africa Tax Review

Small Companies in Nigeria Still Required to File Returns Under New 0% Tax Rule. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that small companies in Nigeria will still be …

Nigeria: FIRS Announces Three-Day IT Shutdown Ahead of 2026 Tax Compliance Overhaul

WESTERN AFRICA

Nigeria: Banks and Agencies to Enforce Withholding Tax on Short-Term Securities

September 19, 2025September 19, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a stern directive to banks, discount houses, stockbrokers, bond issuers, market makers, and government agencies, mandating strict compliance with withholding tax rules …

SOUTHERN AFRICA

South Africa Enhances Tax Accessibility with Sign Language Services

July 25, 2025July 25, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

South Africa Enhances Tax Accessibility with Sign Language Services. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the availability of South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters at selected branches, reinforcing …

EASTERN AFRICA

Ugandan Manufacturers and Tax Authority Collaborate to Address Tax Challenges Amid Upcoming Reforms

June 2, 2025June 11, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Ugandan Manufacturers and Tax Authority Collaborate to Address Tax Challenges Amid Upcoming Reforms. In a concerted effort to tackle pressing tax-related challenges, the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) and the Uganda …

WESTERN AFRICA

Proposed U.S. Remittance Tax Could Cost African Economies Billions

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Proposed U.S. Remittance Tax. A newly introduced bill in the United States could significantly alter the flow of personal remittances to Africa by imposing a 5% excise tax on money …

British American Tobacco Kenya (BAT Kenya) has denied claims of financial discrepancies amounting to KSh 9.6 billion (US$ 93 million) following a recent investigative report that scrutinized the company’s tax records. The report, titled Missing Millions: A Cross-Examination of British American Tobacco Kenya’s Tax Bill, was published by The Investigative Desk in collaboration with the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) and Tax Justice Network Africa (TJNA). According to the findings, BAT Kenya may have underreported revenue between 2017 and 2018, potentially leading to a tax shortfall of approximately US$ 28 million. Allegations of Tax Discrepancies The report is based on an in-depth analysis of BAT Kenya’s financial disclosures over six years. Researchers cross-examined the company’s annual reports with production records submitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), internal government documents, and market data on cigarette consumption and pricing. Investigators allege a gap of KSh 9.6 billion between BAT Kenya’s declared revenues and estimated earnings based on production and sales data. This shortfall suggests that millions of cigarette packs may have been either unaccounted for or underreported, raising concerns about possible tax avoidance or evasion. “This report should be a wake-up call for Kenyan authorities. If these discrepancies remain unexplained, they could indicate potential tax manipulation,” said Kennedy Waituika, a fraud and internal audit expert. Kenya Updates Tax Exemption Rules for Charitable Organisations BAT Kenya’s Response In a statement, BAT Kenya’s Managing Director, Crispin Achola, dismissed the allegations, asserting that the company fully complies with Kenya’s tax laws and financial reporting standards. “We have thoroughly reviewed the report and found it to be largely speculative, containing numerous errors and misrepresentations of BAT Kenya’s operations,” Achola stated. He emphasized that as a publicly listed company on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, BAT Kenya adheres to strict financial disclosure requirements and publishes audited financial statements in line with both local regulations and international reporting standards. Claims of Miscalculations BAT Kenya further criticized the report, arguing that the authors relied on incorrect assumptions when calculating the company’s revenues, profits, and tax obligations. The company claims the report failed to consider deductible costs, applied incorrect cigarette pricing, and disregarded applicable trade margins. Growing Scrutiny on Tobacco Industry Taxation The allegations come at a time when governments worldwide are increasing scrutiny on the tobacco industry’s tax practices, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tax experts argue that multinational tobacco firms often employ complex corporate structures and transfer pricing mechanisms to minimize tax liabilities, depriving governments of much-needed revenue for public health initiatives. As the debate continues, the findings of the report may prompt further investigations by tax authorities and policymakers into BAT Kenya’s financial practices. The outcome could have significant implications for corporate taxation and regulatory oversight within Kenya’s tobacco industry.

EASTERN AFRICA

BAT Kenya Refutes KSh 9.6 Billion Tax Discrepancy Allegations

February 18, 2025February 18, 2025 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

British American Tobacco Kenya (BAT Kenya) has denied claims of financial discrepancies amounting to KSh 9.6 billion (US$ 93 million) following a recent investigative report that scrutinized the company’s tax …

FEATURED

10 Tax Deductions to Help Small Business Owners Save More Money

November 29, 2024December 29, 2024 - by Olatunji Abdulrazaq - Leave a Comment

Did you know you might be paying more in taxes than you need to? Learn 10 tax deductions to help small business owners save big on taxes. Imagine saving thousands …

WESTERN AFRICA

Tax Holiday in Nigeria: FG Proposes Different Tax Incentives to Attract Global Investors

September 28, 2022December 28, 2024 - by admin - Leave a Comment

The series of tax holidays is conceived by the federal government to grow the local manufacturing industry Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari reopens talks on tax holidays in Nigeria as he …

FEATURED / MIDDLE AFRICA

An overview of Angola’s Tax Framework

September 9, 2022December 23, 2024 - by Jeremiah Amosu - Leave a Comment

Here are all you need to know about Angola’s tax administration. An overview of Angola’s Tax Framework is very critical to navigating tax compliance in Angola. Despite being one of …

EASTERN AFRICA

Ethiopia-Tax: New Bill Proposes a Compulsory VAT for Taxi Riders

July 26, 2022December 28, 2024 - by admin - Leave a Comment

Drivers of ride-hailing apps in Ethiopia should brace up for more VAT payments if the bill is implemented A new bill drafted by the Ministry of Finance, if approved, will …