See how to file KRA income Tax returns

With deadline day approaching, Kenya Revenues Authority (KRA) has urged Kenyans to abide by the law and file their KRA tax returns whether employed or unemployed. This means that all citizens above the age of 18, having an existing and valid KRA Personal Identification Number are required to file their individual and employed income tax returns through the KRA portal.

Unemployed citizens with no income are required to file ‘Nil Returns’. This includes students above the age of 18. Employees both in the public and private sectors are required to fill out a KRA P9 form, either by getting it from their employer or downloading it online from the KRA portal. KRA announced that it had increased its office working hours to account for all Kenyans filing their returns ahead of the end month deadline.

Filing tax returns in Kenya has been made much easier and simpler and for that matter, the compliance rate has been on the rise in preceding years. There shall be a penalty imposed on those who do not file their returns; which is an additional 5% tax to the total tax in the period.

This is how to file returns for unemployed citizens with KRA pins.

1. Log into the KRA iTax portal (Kenya Revenue Authority (kra.go.ke))
2. Enter your designated KRA PIN
3. Fill in your password
4. Solve the Arithmetic question/Security question.
5. Log in to the KRA Dashboard
6. Navigate to the ‘Returns’ tab and a drop-down menu will show.
7. Click on the ‘File Nil Return’ option.
8. Select Nil e-Return Tax Obligation
9. Fill out the Income Tax Resident Individual form

An auto-generated message appears to confirm the filing of Nil Returns and reads, ‘Filing of Nil Returns is only applicable in cases where you have No transactions to declare the period. Are you sure you want to file Nil Return?’

10. Click Ok and download the KRA Returns receipt to view the details of submission.

For employed citizens, this is how to file KRA tax returns.

1. Log into the KRA iTax portal (Kenya Revenue Authority (kra.go.ke))
2. Enter your KRA PIN
3. Fill in your password
4. Solve the Arithmetic question/Security question
5. Log in to the KRA Dashboard
6. Navigate to the ‘Returns’ tab and a drop-down menu will show
7. Click on ‘File Return’ menu
8. Select Tax Obligation as Income Tax Resident Individual
9. Download the KRA Returns form (ITR utility)
10. Fill in the form (Excel Sheet) with details shown in the P9 form.

The form has 3 sections; Return information, Employment Income, PAYE details and Tax computation section.

11. Upload the Validated KRA Returns form and click submit.
12. Download the KRA Returns for Employed acknowledgment receipt.

This is how to file returns for both employed and unemployed citizens. Better late than never.

For a more elaborate step by step tutorial on how to file income returns, visit the link below;

How to file returns on iTax in 10 easy steps (biznakenya.com)