This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
With the Covid-19 pandemic causing widespread disruptions, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is urging taxpayers to file their tax returns on or before June 30, 2020, to avoid any penalties.
As we continue to stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus, it's an opportune time to reflect on the past year's income (2019) and meet our tax obligations.
The KRA has made significant improvements to the iTax system, making it easier for taxpayers to file their returns. For instance, taxpayers with employment as their only source of income can now file their tax returns using the auto-populated function on iTax, which takes less than five minutes to complete.
However, taxpayers with other supplementary sources of income, such as rent and business, are required to file their tax returns on the excel sheet available on iTax.
Majority of university and college students who registered for KRA PINs for purposes of applying for a loan from the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb) fall under the category of Nil filers, who are expected to file a Nil return, as a declaration to the Commissioner that there was no income earned over that period.
The process has further been simplified for Nil filers as they can now submit a Nil return using the iTax mobile application available on Google Play Store.
Employers continue to play a crucial role during tax returns filing season, and they are urged to ensure they issue the P9 forms to their employees in good time to facilitate the exercise.
As the pandemic continues to affect the country, the KRA has put in place a raft of measures to ensure effective facilitation of taxpayers who may need virtual assistance in returns filing.
These measures include a call centre team on standby to assist taxpayers who might need guidance at one stage or the other, and the sharing of updated 'how-to' guides across the KRA's social media platforms.
By Elizabeth Meso, Commissioner of Domestic Taxes at KRA, published on May 25, 2020.
