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{
    "id": 376700,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/376700/?format=api",
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    "speaker": null,
    "content": "This Bill is moving us forward in terms of the tax system. I know hon. Members will have issues with the management of KRA. Those are the same issues that came from the public sector in terms of administration. Even if we changed the system and the culture is not changed, then we might not really achieve much. From many stakeholders, we heard that KRA must also pull up its socks in terms of efficiency and fairness. The VAT Bill is going to ease, for example, the issue of appeals. We are going to transfer most of the appeals related to VAT to another tribunal which is coming. I have already tabled that for Second Reading, that is, the Tax Appeals Tribunal Bill. This will help us deal with appeals in a more fair and objective manner. If you look at the current system, it is the Commissioner who enforces, hears and gives rulings. This has been an unfair system to the taxpayer. For now, the appeals will come through the Tax Appeal Tribunal system which comprises of objective persons. We are trying to minimize the complexity--- There are people who have come and said that they need to take care of the benefits that the current Act provides. We are considerate. We have transitional provisions so that if there were few benefits in terms of investors, we can save those ones in this Bill for, say, three or four years. Generally, this Bill is a very good one. It is moving us forward. We are in agreement that we need a few amendments so that sections of society that are not comfortable are comforted and the Government is given money. You know the issue of tax. I was telling some of the stakeholders that the best thing in life is to be told that you should not pay taxes. Even hon. Members here would be very happy to hear that. That is the best and ideal situation for a human being. However, for a civilized society, we need the taxes so that our country can have infrastructure, security and so many other things. These proposals here are good for our country. What we are simply saying is that we cut off money from those who are able and we take the money to those who are less able in terms of building infrastructure. We will continue sustaining the Free Primary Education and the Free Secondary Education. We must support this Government with revenue and then put it to task after sometime. We will ask them: “You requested for this and we gave you this amount. Did you do it or not?” That is the business of this House. Let us pass this Bill with the understanding that we will agree on the basic amendments in areas that touch the poor. Let us support this Bill so that we move this country forward. With those few remarks, I want to call upon hon. Francis Njenga from Gatundu North to second the Bill. I beg to move."
}