United Bank for Africa (UBA) Bank PLC Partners with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to pioneer Integrated Tax Management system dubbed iTAX

Nairobi Kenya, June 28, 2013 – Pan - African Financial Services provider UBA Kenya Bank Ltd. has announced a partnership with the Kenya Revenue Authority to pilot an online tax remittance/collection system aimed at facilitating electronic collection of taxes.

The system, which is already in operation, has been dubbed Integrated Tax Management system (iTax) and is set to improve revenue collection for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) by enhancing efficiency in the collection of domestic taxes. Furthermore, it brings the advantages of convenience, time saving, audit trail, printable receipts and removes the problems of reconciliation.

UBA Kenya Bank Managing Director Mr. Tunji Adeniyi (left) shares a light moment with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Department Ms. Alice Owuor and iTax Project Manager Mr. Eutycus Kariuki (right) during a joint function in Nairobi. 

Speaking while making the announcement UBA Kenya Bank Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Tunji Adeniyi said the bank is committed to providing convenient services aimed at making the lives of Kenyans better.

“We are leveraging technology integration and sustained innovation to deliver an unrivalled customer experience. We believe that our customers and prospects deserve to benefit from the convenience that online banking can provide,” said Mr. Adeniyi.

“UBA Kenya Bank Ltd. is focused on impacting lives through tailored financial products and services and we are continuously exploring strategic partnerships to enable us achieve this,” he added.

KRA Commissioner Domestic Taxes Ms. Alice Owuor in her remarks explained that the iTax platform is borne of the necessity to optimize domestic tax collection adding that the Authority remains a subscriber to technological innovation in its service delivery.

“With this new system, taxpayers will be able to electronically file returns, make payments and enquire about their tax status online, while monitoring their accounts in real-time,” Ms. Owuor explained.

She further said UBA Kenya bank had demonstrated the zeal and capability to pilot the program and urged the public to utilize the platform ahead of the expiry of the deadline for individuals to submit their income tax returns set for June 30.

UBA Kenya Bank CEO expressed confidence in the bank’s strategic approach to the Kenyan market saying that the bank’s partnership will not only allow UBA the privilege of being the first bank to pilot the iTax system, but also a vote of confidence in the bank’s tenacity to develop and pioneer ground-breaking solutions that will shape the course of banking in this country.

Using the iTax platform, taxpayers will be able to file returns electronically online eliminating the need to fill out manual forms. Similarly, users will gain the ability to register and make domestic tax payments online without the need to physically visit a banking hall or KRA offices. Furthermore, individuals, corporations and the tax authority can view tax payments status online.  

“There will be no need to queue for long hours in Banking Halls to make tax payments and file tax returns. This will save people precious time, especially considering the traffic challenges that we experience in Nairobi as well as the long distances that people in rural areas have to travel to get to a banking hall,” said Mr. Adeniyi.

The iTax system, according to the two officials is automated and will send the user confirmation upon a successful payment registration, electronic return filing and actual tax payment.

These developments come even as UBA Kenya Bank continues to penetrate the Kenyan market with deliberate efforts being made to lure new customers, grow the bank’s deposit and further the reach to all towns within Kenya.

“Demand for our services is growing and we are currently working on expanding our reach in the most practical and cost-effective way,” Mr. Adeniyi intimated.

Last year, UBA PLC (the parent bank for UBA Kenya Bank) announced impressive results for the full year 2012 growing its profit figures by over 905%. In the same period the Bank won the Banker Magazine (a subsidiary of the Financial Times of London) prestigious Bank of the Year 2012 award in Africa.

The global Bank which has presence in 19 African Countries, Europe (UK & Paris) and USA is poised to continue to blaze the trail in customer service, innovation and convenience Banking.