Change of iTax KRA PIN Details and Reset of Password
How can I change the current email address from the one I registered with in iTax?Change of email address can be initiated by the taxpayer. On the taxpayers profile under registration, the taxpayer is allowed to amend PIN details. Once the process is initiated by the taxpayer, a task is created for approval by a KRAofficer.
In case I forget my KRA PIN password what canI do?Go to the iTax log in page and select forgotten password. You will be asked for the security question you used when registering for the first time. Once you submit the information successfully, new log in credentials will be sent to your registered email address.
How can I change my KRA PIN password if I have forgotten my security questionThe taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRAfor password and security question reset through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
What do I do if my KRA Pin is locked?All blocked password are reset automatically within 24 hours. Alternatively the taxpayer is can send this PIN to KRA to be unlocked reset through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
iTax pin registration
KRA requests all Kenyans to fileincome taxonline viaitax
Dear Taxpayer, many of you are done, most of you haven’t started, and a few of you are freaking out. Some of you are thinking what if I don’t file? what will happen if I don’t pay? Keep filing! Avoid penalty and interest.The Kenya Revenue Authority Says its i-tax system of filing tax returns has transformed the tax landscape by making it more convenient for users who can now file their income tax returns far more easily.KRA introduced changes to the i-tax system to boost tax complianceand revenue collection. Kenyans have been urged to be forward in tax payments so that the levies collected can be used to grow the Kenyan economy.
How to file PAYE on ITax
From August 2015 Kenya Revenue Authority KRA has issued a directive that all employers must file their Pay As You Earn PAYE payments using ITax no manual tax returns will be accepted.
This ITax guide forms a step by step guide for filling PAYE on ITax
Step 1: Log in to the ITax portal
Visit https://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-PortalEnter your PIN, click Continue and type in your password and answer the security question to access your iTax profile.
Step 2 Download the PAYE P10 excel sheet from iTax .
The PAYE P10 excel sheet that you need to download is found under the “Returns” menu item.
Click on >> Returns >> File Returns
Click >> Income tax – PAYE
A new page will open where you will be able to download the PAYE P10 file.
To download the PAYE P10 file
Click >> PAYE form compatible with MS Excel 2007 to 2010 \
The file will be downloaded as a zip file.
Log out of the online Itax portal
The PAYE spreadsheet is available in both Excel format and Open Document Format (for Open Office). However, when we tested it the ODF format file we found that it was not working at all! So that seems that right now, the only way is to buy Microsoft Excel (original only) and use the excel version. Also for the smoothest operation we recommend that you do this on a Windows machine.
Step3: Enable MS Excel Macros
Open a new Excel file and follow the instructions below.
This is a one off step, once you do it once you don’t have to repeat it on the same computer
Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Access Options.Click Trust Center, click Trust Center Settings, and then click Macro Settings.Click Enable all macros (not recommended, potentially dangerous code can run)Click this option to allow all macros to run.Click ok.
Step 4. Fill out the details of the excel sheet and generate the output – zip file.
Open the zip folder downloaded from ITax portal.
Open the P10 Excel file.
Step 4.1 Fill the basic information
The first page is your basic informationFill as required and click 'NEXT'’.Type of return select original.The Entity type is headquarters..
Step 4.2 Fill in Sheet B Employees Details
The employees’ details can be filled on two ways
You can Fill in directly on the P10 Excel file orImport as CSV file on to the P10 Excel file.
4.2.1 Fill in Directly to the P10 Excel Sheet
This sheet is user friendly, all you need to fill all relevant details as asked for each column head except for the grayed columns which will be automatically filled by the excel sheet.
Some cells have a dropdown arrow to help you select the appropriate details.
Column R - Type of housing
When you select the appropriate type of house benefit in column R, you will notice that column Q which was grayed before, will now clear and you have to fill in the appropriate amount or zero.
Column AI - Self Assessed PAYE Tax
Note that you have to fill this column as per your computed payroll or pay slip.
The amounts on this column and the totals should be exactly the same as those in column AH PAYE TAX.
4.2.2 Import a CSV File
Where you have too many employees and you have a payroll or you keep your payroll on excel, you can export the payroll file to your desktop and save it as Excel CSV comma delimited file.
When saving the Excel CSV file, select “save as” then as type of file choose “CSV comma delimited”
You should also make sure that all columns in this file correspond to the ITax P10 Employee sheet you downloaded from ITax portal.
All columns that are grayed out on the ITax P10 excel sheet, should be left blank on the CVS excel file.
Before saving the file as CSV remove all column headings.
Make sure that if a cell does not have an amount it should be “ZERO” except for those columns that correspond to grayed columns in the P10 Excel ITax file, which should be left blank.
On the ITax P10 Excel file, Sheet B employees details sheet, click 'IMPORT CSV' button to import your CSV file
Select the CSV file saved above and click open.
Your employee details will then be populated on the ITax P10 Excel file Sheet B - employees’ details sheet.
Once uploaded peruse through the sheet to ensure everything is correct.
Should the file not be properly uploaded or where you get an error message peruse the saved CSV for any errors and correct them.
After the CSV has been successfully been uploaded click “next”
4.3 Other Employee Details Sheets C to Sheet J
All other employee sheets from sheet C to sheet J if applicable are filled the same way as the employee details sheet above.
If they are not applicable leave them blank.
4.4 Sheet D - Computation of Car Benefit
Where the employee is provided a car or one is hired for his use, this sheet should be filled with those employees details as per the sheet’s columns headings and the total taxable value should correspond to the amounts declared in Sheet B - Employees details for each respective employee.
4.5 Sheet K Payment Credits
If you had paid any PAYE in advance before the end of the month or before filling the PAYE return , fill in the respective payment details, otherwise leave this sheet blank.
4.6 Sheet L Tax Due
This sheet gives you a summary of the tax due. You countercheck this if it agrees with your payroll.
5.Validate
Once you are satisfied the tax due is ok click validate underSheet L Tax Due
The ITax P10 Excel file will then check for errors, if there are any it will direct you to second sheet from the left labeled “error”. Open it and click the respective links provided to open the particular sheet with errors for your corrections. After you make all corrections click validate again.
After you click validate, you will be asked if you want create an upload file, click ‘’YES’’.
The file will be saved as a zip file and a dialogue window will open to show you the exact location where it will be saved, in most cases it is saved in documents.
You should note down this location to enable you easily locate the file when uploading it online as per step 6 below.
Step 6: Upload the zip file onto ITax online.
Visit https://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-Portal
Enter you’re your PIN , click Continue and type in your password and answer the security question to access your iTax profile.
Click on >> Returns >> File Returns
This will take you to the “e-Returns” page.
The type of “e-Return” and “Taxpayer PIN” will already have been filled out for you.
So proceed and select the “Tax Obligation”. In this case, it is the “Income Tax – PAYE” obligation.
This will take you to the “e-Returns” page. The type of “e-Return” and “Taxpayer PIN” will already have been filled out for you so proceed to select the “Tax Obligation”. In this case, it is the “Income Tax – PAYE” obligation.
Fill out the “Income tax – PAYE form” by selecting the “Return Period From”, the “Return Period To” will automatically be filled out as the system only expects you to do a return for one month at a time.
Click the upload button to upload the zip file onto iTax. Only click the Add File button if there is more than one file you want to upload, otherwise, proceed to check the Terms and Conditions and “Submit” the form.
If your uploaded file was correctly filled out, the system will successfully submit it and give you a “Returns Receipt” in form of a link. Otherwise, you will get an error message telling you what you had done wrong.
If you get an error message, simply go back and correct the PAYE spreadsheet then validate and save it a new. You do not need to use the “File Amended Return” menu item as technically, you had not successfully submitted the first time. Repeat the process and you will be fine.
Step 7. Return Receipt
“‘Returns Receipt” is in the form of a download link that you can click and download for your filing.
Note, you are not DONE with the process…all you have done is successfully submitted the Income Tax – PAYE form.
Step 8: Generate payment slip for the just submitted PAYE liability.
What now needs to happen is that you need to generate a payment slip for the tax obligation. The payment slip is what you will use to make a payment for this liability at the bank.
Proceed to click the Payment button.
A lot of the details on the e-Payment Registration form will already be filled out, proceed and fill what isn’t.
Confirm the “Liability Details” as this indicates what you are meant to pay. When all is good, select that liability entry and click the “Add” button.
The “Add” button from above adds the liability details to the “Payment Details”. This should then give you the total that you are meant to pay (there could be more then one liability that you are paying for).
Proceed to select the “Mode of Payment”; Cheque, Cash or RTGS and finally select the “Receiving Bank” – this should be the bank where you intend to make your payment in most cases it is the bank that you bank with as a company.
Click “Submit” the payment details will be submitted..
A new window opens with a “Payment Slip”‘ link.
Click the download link to download the payment slip or “ESlip” and print two copies.
Step 9: Pay the PAYE at your bank
Final step is to print the “Payment Slip” in 2 copies and take both to your local bank with a cheque for the amount indicated on the payment slip.
One of those copies will be kept by the bank as an indication of your payment while the other one will be stamped and given back to you as your receipt for your own books. This is a very important document as it’s actually shows that you have paid your liability. In case the bank has an issue with their systems and miss to register your payment, you can always fall back to this document as evidence for the payment.
ITax also sends you a confirmation email when you have made a payment and you can always check your “General Ledger” on ITax for verification of the payment entry.
Payment Deposit slip
When banking inform the teller to use the “payment Registration Number” printed on the top right corner of the payment slip.
The Payment Registration number must be reflected on the deposit slip issued by the bank.
Other details you must verify are reflected include :
Your PIN numberTax obligation say PAYE you are paying forPAYE monthbeneficially account which should be Kenya Revenue Authority Collection AccountBeneficially Account number should be as per the authorized KRA list attached
HOW TO FILE A NIL VAT PAYE RETURN ON ITAX
Visit https://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-PortalEnter PIN/User ID (KRA PIN), click Continue and type in your password and answer the security question to access your iTax profile.To File a Nil Return, click on the Returns menu, select File Nil Return optionUnder Tax Obligation, select Value Added Tax – VAT or Income Tax PAYE from drop down menu.Enter the return period and click SubmitAn e-Return Acknowledgement receipt will be generated,Download the e-Return Acknowledge slip for your records
Documents required before filling itax returns
Before filing back your KRA iTax Returns online, you require the following documents:
1.Employer information for the employed individuals
2.Employer’s PIN if you’re employed
3.Financial Statements
4.Insurance Premium Certificate/ PIN of Underwriter/Mortgage interest certificate
5.Withholding tax certificates where applicable
6.KRA iTax Returns P9 form
7.Any other documents relating to income you received or deductions you need to claim
How to login to itax
To login to your KRA iTax account you will need to have your KRA pin number and password. If you have forgotten your KRA pin number you will be required to visit KRA offices in your neighbourhood.
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it by clicking on‘Forgot Password/Unlock Account’link below the tabs. For you to find that link you have to type your correct pin number and click ‘continue‘To access to KRA iTax login page follow this link
KRA iTax login page- https://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-Portal/
Advantages of using itax online in Kenya
1.Access to the taxpayer ledger. including access by employees on their PAYE deductions . . .
2.Real time update of the taxpayers ledger upon filing of returns and making payment . . .
3.iTax is accessible at the comfort of the taxpayer, i.e. office or home. . . .
4.Numerous payment channels – more Banks are being recruited to make payment of Domestic Taxes more convenient. . .
.5.Simpler domestic tax return filing . the returns are based on the excel format. . . .
6.Time saving. . . a.Reduced queuing at the banking hall . . b.Swift application and processing of tax related services e.g Tax Compliance Certificates, Refunds, Amendments, waivers, tax exemptions etc . . .
7.Reduction of Refunds backlog by allowing taxpayers to utilise approved refunds to offset other tax liabilities. . . .8.Communication via e-mail and SMS notifications upon completion of transactions . . .
9.Electronic generation of certificates, i.e. PIN, Withholding Tax certificates, Exemption Certificates etc. . . .
10.iTax returns are excel based and therefore is easy to use. Excel also accommodates several hundred thousand columns and rows of data . .
11.xi.Inconvenience caused to taxpayers through Request for records by KRA officers will be greatly reduced.
iTax pin registration
Change of iTax KRA PIN Details and Reset of Password
How can I change the current email address from the one I registered with in iTax?Change of email address can be initiated by the taxpayer. On the taxpayers profile under registration, the taxpayer is allowed to amend PIN details. Once the process is initiated by the taxpayer, a task is created for approval by a KRAofficer.
In case I forget my KRA PIN password what canI do?Go to the iTax log in page and select forgotten password. You will be asked for the security question you used when registering for the first time. Once you submit the information successfully, new log in credentials will be sent to your registered email address.
How can I change my KRA PIN password if I have forgotten my security questionThe taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRAfor password and security question reset through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
What do I do if my KRA Pin is locked?All blocked password are reset automatically within 24 hours. Alternatively the taxpayer is can send this PIN to KRA to be unlocked reset through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
Registration with itax Kenya
Who should update iPage?All taxpayers (individuals, companies, parastatals, NGOs, etc.) should update their information using the iPage.
Why should I update my iPage?iTax provides for capture of additional registration data not previously captured. The information required in iTax includes among others your county, employer, cell phone contact, unique email address, tax agent, etc.
When should i update my iPage?Taxpayers are required to update their iPage on first log in to iTax.
Where can I update my iPage?Go tohttps://itax.kra.go.keor KRA website www.kra.go.ke. On the website you will see the iTax portal banner. Click on it to access the iTaxportal.When logging for the first time, the initial requirement will be updating iPage.
How do I update my iPage?One is required to fill in the mandatory fields especially under basic information then submit the data so as to update the taxpayers information with KRA.
What do I do if my PIN is not recognized when I try to update my iPage?This happens for new PINs that have not been migrated to iTax. The taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRA for migration through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
Do I need a VAT certificate if I have a PIN certificate?No. PIN certificate is sufficient. What the taxpayer need to do if they start dealing in vatable business is to add VAT obligation on the PIN.What happens when we try to update iPage and the data is not consistent with the database?The taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRAfor data correction through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
I am trying to register but I keep getting error ref. no. 139…..what do I do?This happens when there is poor internet connectivity. Sorry keep tryingWhat do I do if I have Error in date of birth or certificate of incorporation?The taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRAfor data correction through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
What do I do if Income tax date comes before business commencement date?The taxpayer is required to send this PIN to KRAfor data correction through email Callcentre@kra.go.ke and DTDOnlineSupport@kra.go.ke or call 020 2390919 and 020 2391099 and 0771628105 or visit the nearest KRA office.
Download KRA iTax forms
You can download these forms from this link
1.T.CC 1 – Tax Compliance Certificate Application Form
http://www.kra.go.ke/incometax/pdf/tax_compliance_certificate_application_form.pdf
2.Application Form for Amnesty for Citizens in Diaspora
http://www.kra.go.ke/notices/pdf2011/amnesty-form.pdf
3.I.T.1 –Individual Income Tax Returns
http://www.kra.go.ke/index.php/downloads/domestic-taxes-downloade/income-tax-downloads
4.I.T.1– Non-Resident Individual Returns
http://www.kra.go.ke/index.php/downloads/domestic-taxes-downloade/income-tax-downloads
5.I.T.2C– December Cases Returns
http://www.kra.go.ke/index.php/downloads/domestic-taxes-downloade/income-tax-downloads
6.I.T.2P– Partnership Returns
http://www.kra.go.ke/index.php/downloads/domestic-taxes-downloade/income-tax-downloads
7.List of PAYE Forms Used by Employers8.User Guide for Filing Individual Returns Online.
http://www.kra.go.ke/index.php/downloads/domestic-taxes-downloade/income-tax-downloads/86
8.User Guide for Filing Individual Returns Online.
http://www.kra.go.ke/incometax/pdf/UserGuide_IT1.pdf
Step By Step Guide on How to fill KRA iTax Returns forms Online
1.Visit the KRA iTax online portal website athttps://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-Portal/
2.At the KRA iTax portal login page enter your KRA Pin number, password and the answer to security question
3.Click on ‘e-Returns’ or hover on ‘Returns’ on the navigation bar and click on ‘File Returns’
4.Select the type, Enter your taxpayer’s PIN and select the Taxobligation applicable to you before clicking on ‘Next’
5.The next page will walk you through the filling process. Basically, you just need to click on the links provided to either download the Tax Returs form in Excel or ODS
6.Fill out all the applicable areas in the downloaded tax returnsform and save your document in your computer.
7.You need to enable macros to be able to ‘Validate’ and Zip your File.
8.Return to the page and select the period for which you are filling the returns, upload the zipped filled out iTax Returns form, agree to the terms and select ‘Submit’.
9.When asked whether you would like to upload the file, click on ‘OK’
How to get a tax compliance certificate from iTax
There are a couple of reasons you would want to get a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC). The main one being – you are after a government tender and you have been asked for your TCC. Our main reason for getting it was purely because we wanted to be compliant, period.If you fall under either of those reasons (or a different one all together), then you will appreciate this post. In the past the process of getting a TCC was a tiresome manual one that took 30 days! With iTax, you can now get your TCC with as few clicks of a button as possible!Checklist*.Company PIN number – to log on to iTax*.A reason for your application*.Time: To apply – 2 minutes; For feedback and to follow up – 1 / 2 days*.Ensure that you have met all your tax obligations (see below)A Tax Compliance Certificate shall be issued to taxpayers who are compliant with the tax obligations as per the tax laws. These obligations are:-
1. Filing of tax returns for the registered tax obligations
2. Payment of the assessed taxes
3. Declaring the correct income.ProcedureThe Application on iTaxLog ontoiTaxusing your PIN number. On the home screen, go to the “Certificates” tab and choose the “Apply for Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC)” option from the drop down menu.Proceed to fill out the application form by giving a reason for your application – the PIN number and company name are automatically filled out – and when done, click the “Submit” button.The system then acknowledges receipt of your application and gives you back an “Acknowledgement number” and an “Acknowledgement receipt” for download. You can download this receipt for future reference.The Follow Up AfterwardsAfter “finishing” my application, I was very excited and thought how great things were now! From the olden days of physically visiting KRA, filling out a form manually and waiting 30 days for feedback on your application to just a few minutes on a machine!My excitement was short-lived as a few days later, I received an email from KRA with the subject line:“Rejection of Application forTaxComplianceCertificate”(see email below).Your first instinct is to panic! The thought of KRA catching up with youfor not submitting tax returns, is scary. At least for me it is. Then you start thinking about what you could have done wrong as you know very well you HAVE submitted all the returns (unless you have not) andhave paid!After a while you relax knowing (1) this is KRA, (2) they have a new system, (3) they are transitioning. It then becomes obviousthat the reason iTax would assume that you had not submitted your PAYE returns for the said years, was because you were not using iTax back then, chances are you were using ITMS!Ideally since BOTH are online systems, then the records should have been pushed to iTax during the transition but I guess not. This is what Idid next and it worked:I sent an email to KRA (contact us for the specific emails we used)explaining that our application had been rejected and the reason was invalid as we had submitted and paid all our tax returns and that it was obvious iTax is assuming we hadn’t done these submissions as we were using ITMS.Someone then actually got in touch with me and advised me to re-apply for the TCC and send them an email quoting the “Acknowledgement Number” of our new application.
I am assuming that they manually check that you are not lying about meeting your tax obligations and then they ‘stop’ iTax from sending you another rejection email and instead, enable it to send you an approval one as below:
This email will come with your Tax Compliance Certificate attached to it. Download it, print it, hang it on your wall and rejoice that eventually you still did not have to leave the comfort of your office to get your TCC.Note: A Tax Compliance Certificate is only valid for12 monthsfrom the date of application and KRA reserves the right to withdraw it if evidence is found that you did not meet the application criteria.The issuance of a Tax Compliance Certificate will not rule out an audit being carried out and any taxes found to be owing will be payable not withstanding the fact that a TCC has been issued.
How to register a company on KRA’s iTax
Company registration on KRA’s iTaxFollowing the recentKRAdevelopments,KRAhave issued a notice informing the public about their new tax administration system. The system is meant to offer efficient and effective taxpayer service delivery and we have all been advised to file our returns through the online platform.As of the1st March 2014, KRA will not accept any manual tax returns and all taxpayers will be expected to useiTaxfor filling their returns.Kindly note that KRA will not accept nor issue receipts for manual returns of Domestic Tax Payments in any of its offices. All Domestic Tax Payments MUST be made through the Payment Gateway in any of the KRA agent banks listed on the KRA website.iTaxwill eventually replace the oldITMSand the TSW taxpayer software (used for VAT returns) but for a period, KRA seems to be running both alongside each other.We will cover the new iTax in detail as more and more features are enabled and as we learn more about how to use the system.In this blog post we will guide you through registering your company on iTax as this is required for any usage of the system.
STEP 1. Confirm your Tax obligations (old system).iTax will pull the information about which TAX obligations your company has from the old (ITMS) system, so the first thing to do is to verify that you have enabled the correct tax obligations.It is especially important to remember the withholding tax obligation, as this one was never really required before – but you need it to do withholding tax going forward!
STEP 2. Register on iTax (iPage)Click on the big iTax banner on KRA’s main website – it will take you directly to the login section of the new iTax.You need to first register your PIN on the iTax software to be able to access the system. The above login page allows you to do that.Click on the ‘Have PIN but not Registered Online?’ link.Select ‘Non Individual’ for the company and proceed to fill our your company PIN number and your Business Registration Certificate Number.The sections above allow you to update all you taxpayer information. Start from section A all through to section F confirming that all you details are correct, some might need to be updated but most will remain as they are. The iTax system more or less has picked all your information from the old ITMS system so there is little to make changes on.Typically, you will not be able to submit your information if there were any mandatory fields left unanswered.But once you are done and everything is up-to-date you will get this download link to access your new PIN certificate (Print it and hang it somewhere visible in your office).
STEP 3. First login / Change passwordAt this point you have received an email with the login and password that you can use to log into iTax. Two things worth noting here:
1.Everyone is assigned the same inital password, so you should change it as soon as possible (kind of a security risk if you ask us).
2.The first time login / change password page is broken – especially if you are using Linux or Mac OSX, more on this.When you first login you will be presented with a form that asks you to change your password, but upon clicking the submit button you are very likely to see the error message “Please read the KRA Website Secure Password Policy Guidelines and mark it into checkbox”Problem is you can not see/find the checkbox that you are supposed to check. How bad this problem is depends on your Browser and operating system.Essentially the checkbox is visually locatedUNDER the Vision 2030 logo, and there is no way you can click on it.
There are a few possible solutions to this problem.
*.If you are familiar with webdevelopment you can use Firebug or a similar tool to “remove” the Vision 2030 logo.
*.In your browser settings you might be able to remove the showing of images all together.
*.In your browser settings you might be able to reduce the text-size – thereby making the checkbox move up from behind the logo.The easiest solution however might be to use a Windows computer using Internet Explorer as a browser.
Using Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 11 we were able to see a tiny bit of the checkbox peeking up from under the Vision 2030 logo – just enough that you can actually click it.Once you are successful in changing your password, you can login back into the iTax software to see the different things that you can be able to do using the electronic system.Take special care to look at the “returns” menu point – from where youwill find sections for PAYE, VAT etc (depending on which tax obligations your company has enabled – see step 1).For your own sake we highly recommend that you download the example spreadsheets and take a look at what you need to fill out before you can upload file a return – It is quite significant the amount of information you need to fill out.
This Is How iTax Works
ver the years, Kenyan taxpayers have been filing tax returns manually every time they are due. This process has been lengthy and cumbersome since taxpayers had to go to a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) office to submit these returns.To improve domestic tax services, KRA has introduced iTax system, a webbased system intended to deliver services to taxpayers effectively and efficiently. This is also intended to improve collection and enable convenient and improved taxpayer compliance. The iTax portal enables taxpayer registration, filing of tax returns and other key compliance functions such as issuance of Tax Compliance Certificates, refunds, waivers and tax exemptions. You can also update your tax registration details and monitor your account in iTax system.To help spread awareness and improve on the understanding of how the iTax system works, Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) last evening hosted an iTax team from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) at Nailab, Bishop Magua building.According to the KRA iTax team present, the iTax system automates everything therefore you don’t have to submit physical forms while filing your tax returns. They have now done away with the manual system whichwas very inefficient and cumbersome. This iTax system also allows taxpayers to register for the first time and apply for a PIN, without having to go to KRA. For those who have PIN from the old system, they will simplyupdate it in the iTax system before proceeding.The KRA iTax team stated that among the services that used to be manually offered such as tax compliance certificate application can now be done conveniently online using the iTax system. You can check the status of your application and print your tax compliance certificate (TCC) once approved. Through the TCC checker in the same system, you can verify your TCC.Using the iTax system, taxpayers can file returns for PAYE, VAT and individual returns after registering in the system. It is very important to provide a reliable e-mail address which you can easily access since your password will be sent to this e-mail address. ITax system also allows you to change your email address.According to the iTax team present yesterday, all taxpayers must file their tax returns by the June 30th deadline to avoid penalties. If you don’t file your returns by this date, the system will automatically penalize you. They further stated that this deadline is set by law and filing of returns cannot bean open process, as many taxpayers have requested.In the iTax system, taxpayers can also check and print withholding tax certificate and apply for waiver. If you have no taxes to declare, you can file a NIL return on iTax system. This is done by going to the Returns tab and picking file NIL return on the drop-down menu. The iTax system is Excel based with formulas. To ensure that the system works properly, you must enable macros in your Excel, otherwise you may end up with errors.The audience had many questions for the KRA team regarding tax refunds and waivers. As far as tax refunds are concerned, the KRA team agreed with the audience that it takes a long time to get any refunds but clarified that refunds have to be allocated by the Treasury, not KRA. Other queries on tax waivers and penalties just couldn’t go away but to improve the experience, taxpayers are also expected to provide accurate information and pay their taxes and file returns within the given period to avoid penalties.The evening ended with a feeling that more such sessions need to be organized frequently to clear the air not only on iTax system but the issue of taxation as a whole. It is now just 2 weeks to the deadline, have you filedyour returns on iTax system? There will be no more manual filling of forms,just clickHEREtoday and avoid penalties.
No more manual tax filling after Aug 1 2015– KRA
The authority said no manual filling for VAT, PAYE and Income Tax returns will be accepted and instead, taxpayers will be required to fill their returns through KRA’s online system, iTax.“All VAT, PAYE and Income Tax Filers are advised to file their tax returnsdue in August 2015 in the iTax system. Therefore NO manual VAT, PAYE and Income Tax returns will be accepted with effect from 1st August 2015 at any KRA office,” a statement from the authority read.Taxpayers have now been urged to update their details in the iTax system in order to access all online tax services.KRA says it is confident that the iTax system can now be accessed by everyone and which at the moment can allow all taxpayers to file tax returns from anywhere, anytime.“The system allows taxpayers to update their tax registration details, make payments and enquire about their tax status. It is one of KRA’s key initiatives that provide an integrated view of a taxpayer,” the authority said.Currently, more than two million taxpayers are registered on the system and are accessing tax services through the platform.In order to assist taxpayers, KRA says it will continue to sensitise and train taxpayers in all regions adding that iTax Support Centres have been set-up in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Thika, Eldoret and Nakuru to offer any needed support.In addition, KRA has devolved its support services to all Huduma Centres countrywide and partnered with 33 banks to facilitate faster payment of taxes.Taxpayers are advised to access iTax system through https://itax.kra.go.ke and file their returns online. A step by step guide has been provided on the KRA Website.