[2021] KEHC 185 (KLR)

[2021] KEHC 185 (KLR)

The court held that the appellant, as an insurance broker licensed under the Insurance Act, qualifies as a financial institution under the Customs and Excise Duty Act as amended by the Finance Act 2013. The commissions received by the appellant for brokerage services constitute 'other fees' charged by a financial...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2021] KEHC 185 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Chester Insurance Brokers Limited; Respondent: Commissioner Of Domestic Taxes
Court
High Court
Court Station
High Court at Nairobi (Milimani Commercial Courts)
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Tax Appeal E001 of 2020
Procedural Posture
Tax Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed with costs to the respondent
Judges
DAS Majanja
Legal Topics
Excise Duty on Commissions, Withholding Tax on Professional Fees, Interpretation of Tax Statutes, Insurance Brokerage Taxation
Source Language
en
Tax Law Commercial and Corporate Excise Duty on Commissions Withholding Tax on Professional Fees Interpretation of Tax Statutes Insurance Brokerage Taxation

Source-derived case record

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Parties

Chester Insurance Brokers Limited

Appellant

Commissioner Of Domestic Taxes

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Tax Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether insurance brokerage commissions earned by the appellant are subject to excise duty under the Customs and Excise Duty Act.
  2. 2 Whether payments made to Spyce IT Limited for software upgrades constitute professional fees subject to withholding tax under the Income Tax Act.

Ratio Decidendi

The court held that the appellant, as an insurance broker licensed under the Insurance Act, qualifies as a financial institution under the Customs and Excise Duty Act as amended by the Finance Act 2013. The commissions received by the appellant for brokerage services constitute 'other fees' charged by a financial institution and are therefore subject to excise duty. The distinction between 'charged' and 'earned' is immaterial, as the commission is the consideration for services rendered and falls within the statutory definition. The court further found that the payment to Spyce IT Limited was for professional services, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Tribunal was...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed with costs to the respondent

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed.
  • The appellant shall pay costs to the respondent.