Last-minute Tips for Tax Returns in Kenya

Have you filed your 2020 tax returns? Here are some last-minute tips

The filing of annual tax returns for the year 2020 for individuals and corporate entities with a December year-end is due on or before 30th June 2021. The returns are to be filed through Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) online iTax platform.  

As of June 20th, 2021, over 3.8 million Kenyans had filed their returns successfully, translating to over 20 percent growth compared to the 3.1 million who had filed their returns by the same period the previous year. KRA Marketing and Communication Deputy Commissioner Ms. Grace Wandera attributed the increase in the number of returns filed to the current stability of the iTax system. 

For submission of returns through iTax, taxpayers with employment income only can use the web-based pre-populated income tax return, labeled ‘ITR for employment income only’. Individual taxpayers with other income in addition to employment income are required to download the excel income tax return to make their declarations. Persons who did not earn income in the year 2020 are reminded to file a Nil Return.

Following the Covid-19 pandemic that has led to restricted physical visits to public facilities, KRA has put in place measures to virtually support taxpayers who may need assistance during the filing season. Taxpayers are advised to seek KRA’s support through the Contact Centre by calling 0711-099-999 or 020 4 999 999, emailing requests to callcentre@kra.go.ke or using our official social media pages for assistance. KRA has also been running aggressive campaigns on both broadcast, print and social media platforms providing step-by-step guidelines on filing the tax returns. 

Many Kenyans still procrastinate when it comes to filing their tax returns. As you make a last-minute dash, remember that failure to file by the due date attracts a default late penalty of twenty thousand shillings and two thousand shillings for a company and for an individual respectively in line with Section 83 of the Tax Procedures Act, 2015.