This archive report was first published on 25 June 2021.
As the 2020 annual income tax return deadline draws near, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has taken steps to ensure a smooth filing process for taxpayers. The authority has enhanced the iTax system to handle the expected high traffic, with the deadline set for June 30th.
According to KRA, the iTax system is currently very efficient, enabling taxpayers to file their returns 24 hours a day without hitches. The authority has also extended its Service Centres and Contact Centre opening hours to serve the increasing footfall.
As of June 20th, over 3.8 million Kenyans had successfully filed their returns, representing a 20% growth compared to the same period the previous year. 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.
Ms. Wandera noted that more taxpayers are expected to file their returns before the deadline. "The iTax system is currently very efficient, enabling taxpayers to file their returns 24 hours a day, without hitches," she said. "We have also extended our Service Centres and Contact Centre opening hours to serve the increasing footfall. In the month of June alone, we have served over 230,000 customers, registering 71 percent growth of customers seeking services at the Huduma Centres and Service Centres compared to last year."
Customer support for filing of returns has also been optimized through various channels, including calls, emails, social media, chats, KRA service centres, and Huduma centres. So far, KRA is serving approximately 20,000 customers in the various channels daily.
For taxpayers who may need assistance during the filing season, KRA has put in place necessary measures to support them virtually. The authority has also packaged and published various reference materials and guides on filing of tax returns on its website and official social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.
As a reminder, all annual income tax returns for both resident and non-resident individuals, companies, and partnerships for the period from 1st January to 31st December 2020, should be submitted online on the iTax platform on or before 30th June 2021. Taxpayers can access the iTax portal at https://itax.kra.go.ke.
