Nairobi — The Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) is set to roll out the software version of the Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) as it seeks to provide additional ways for businesses to transmit electronic invoices while reducing the cost of compliance.

eTIMS is an upgrade of TIMS(Tax Invoice Management System), offering a software solution which provides technological convenience to meet taxpayers' compliance needs.

In a public notice, KRA said the new version will be available through three channels which will include an online portal, a mobile application, and an application that facilitates integration with existing billing systems.

The online portal will enable taxpayers to issue tax invoices and have them transmitted to KRA in real-time.

As for the mobile application, it will run on mobile phones and provide another avenue for issuing tax invoices.

Additionally, an application will be available to facilitate integration with businesses that prefer to continue using their existing billing systems.

KRA will provide software to taxpayers at no additional cost.

"We believe that this upgrade will significantly enhance the experience of our taxpayers in managing their tax invoices. It is our hope that this latest upgrade will streamline the process of managing tax invoices, making it easier and more efficient for our taxpayers," said Acting Commisioner General Risper Simiyu.

The version is set to complement the TIMS where businesses were expected to acquire internet-enabled tax registers (ETRs) which capture and send all real time transactions to the taxman.

According to KRA Board Chair Anthony Mwaura, the integration of eTIMS will eliminate the need for multiple purchases of ETR TIMS machines for businesses with more than one point of sale.

The new systems are aimed at enhancing VAT compliance, minimizing fiscal fraud, and increasing tax revenue in accordance with the VAT Regulations, 2020.