[2023] KETAT 297 (KLR)

[2023] KETAT 297 (KLR)

The Tribunal found that the Appellant, Pesapal Limited, is licensed as a payment service provider under the National Payment Systems Act, which authorizes it to provide payment processing services but does not confer the status of a financial service provider as contemplated under the VAT Act. The Tribunal held that...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2023] KETAT 297 (KLR)
Parties
Appellant: Pesapal Limited; Respondent: Commissioner of Domestic Taxes
Court
Tax Appeal Tribunal
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Appeal 13 of 2021
Procedural Posture
Tax Appeal / Judgment
Outcome
appeal dismissed
Judges
E.N Wafula, Cynthia B. Mayaka, Grace Mukuha, AK Kiprotich, Jephthah Njagi
Legal Topics
Vat Exemptions, Payment Service Providers, Financial Services Definition, Tax Assessment, Technology Services Taxation
Source Language
en
Tax Law Commercial and Corporate Vat Exemptions Payment Service Providers Financial Services Definition Tax Assessment Technology Services Taxation

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Parties

Pesapal Limited

Appellant

Commissioner of Domestic Taxes

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Tax Appeal / Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Respondent erred by raising VAT tax assessments on the Appellant's commissions earned as a payment service provider.
  2. 2 Whether the services provided by the Appellant qualify as exempt financial services under Paragraphs 1(b) and 1(m) of Part II of the First Schedule to the VAT Act, 2013.

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal found that the Appellant, Pesapal Limited, is licensed as a payment service provider under the National Payment Systems Act, which authorizes it to provide payment processing services but does not confer the status of a financial service provider as contemplated under the VAT Act. The Tribunal held that the VAT exemption under Paragraphs 1(b) and 1(m) of Part II of the First Schedule to the VAT Act applies only to specific financial services, such as the issue, transfer, or receipt of money, and the provision of such services on behalf of another on a commission basis. The Tribunal determined that the Appellant's activities—providing an online payment platform—constitute the...

Court Disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The Appeal is hereby set aside.
  • The Respondent's objection decision dated 26th November, 2021 is upheld.