Monthly Rental Income

Processing and remitting taxes charged on rental income is not only tiresome, time consuming but it also complex. Monthly Rental Income Tax only affects residential rental income. As a landlord, you are required to pay rental income tax at a rate of 10% on the gross rent received and is payable when landlords receive rent from their tenants either monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Our team works with you to ensure that:

1. Your rental income received is correct and accurately computed.
2. Payment slip are generated and landlord advised on tax amount to pay.
3. Ensure that tax payments are made on or before 20^th of the following month and filed online on iTAX.

The following are the questions and answers for Residential Rental Income Tax (MRI)

 A. Effective date of Monthly Rental Income Tax?

With effect from 1^st January 2016.

B. Legal framework governing the Monthly Rental Income Tax?

The Finance Act 2015 introduced a new Section 6A in the Income Tax Act Cap 470 Laws of Kenya, which provides for a simplified tax regime on rental income. ‘The tax to be known as Residential Rental Income Tax shall be payable by any resident person (individual or company) from income which accrued in or derived from Kenya for the use or occupation of residential property’

 C. What are the advantages of the simplified regime?

1. Taxed at a flat rate of 10%
2. No complex book-keeping and record keeping required, thus very cost effective.
3. Monthly Residential Rental Income Tax is final tax.

D. Who is eligible to pay the Residential Rental Income Tax?

Both individuals and corporates earning residential rental income tax income less than Kshs.10m per annum.

E. What happens if I have both Commercial and Residential Income?

Simplified rate of 10% tax on gross will only apply to the Residential Rental Income Tax segment subject to the lower and upper limits. Rental income from commercial properties shall be assessed using the old regime i.e. one has to prepare the Profit and Loss Account to ascertain the gains for the year, then effect income tax at the rate of 30% for corporates.

F. What is the rate of Residential Rental Income Tax?

The tax rate is 10% on the gross tax rent collected during the month. Please note that you are not allowed to offset any cost (both direct and indirect).

G. What are the exemptions from Residential Rental Income Tax?

1. All persons earning less than Kshs.12,000 per month or Kshs.144,000 p.a. (lower limit) or earning higher than Kshs.10m per year (higher limit) are not eligible to pay the MRI.
2. Rental income from a commercial property is also exempted from MRI.
3. Non-resident landlords
4. Upon writing to the commissioner giving grounds opting out of the simplified regime.

H. How do I compute Residential Rental Income Tax from Partnership Income?

Each partner is eligible to pay 10% of the Gross monthly rental income share received, however the individual shared income must be over Kshs.144,000 per annum but less than Kshs.10 m.

I. What do I do if a client (appointed withholding rental income tax agent) withholds 10% rent?

You need to offset the withholding tax credit(s) from the total liability payable for the month in question.

J. When do I pay the Monthly Rental Income Tax?

MRI becomes payable when you receives the rent cash. This may be monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually. MRI becomes payable by 20^th of the following month from the date of receipt i.e. Rent received in January 2016 was payable by 20^th of February 2016.

K. Should I file nil returns for months not receiving Rent?

Yes, a Nil return should be filed to cover the months not receiving rent.

 L. Should I disclose Monthly Rental Income when filing my annual return?

Monthly Rental Income Tax is final tax and should not be disclosed again when filing the annual returns. If no other income other than the MRI, an individual should file a Nil return.

M. Can I pay via MPESA?

Yes, once you generate the e-slip, select Lipa na Mpesa, Paybill #,572572, for account number, select the payment registration (PRN) number, then enter the amount, then pay.

N. What is the Information required for the Monthly Rental Income (MRI) Tax Payer?

1. LR No.
2. List of current Tenants
3. Amount payable for the Month
4. Physical Location of the houses i.e Street/ Road, City, County, District, Tax Area, nearest land mark
5. O Box & Postal Code
6. Name of the Building
7. PIN of Tenants (not a mandatory field)