Preparing for tax time in advance

The annual filing of a tax return is a task that can be handled with minimal stress involved if you plan for it properly. If you are planning on doing manual submission, you will need to set some time aside to prepare your paperwork properly and to gather together some key documents.

You will also have to decide whether you will do it yourself, or pay your tax practitioner to do it for you. During the annual tax season, running from July to November, you will be required to submit a return. Individual taxpayers need to get on the KRA website and declare to their government their earnings and payment of taxes.

Who needs to pay tax in Kenya?

If you earn an income from a salary, commission or fees you are liable for tax.

If you have a business and other income sources. If you have a KRA pin but no income or earn less than the taxable amount you still need to declare NIL returns.

Benefits of eFiling:

• eFiling is a free, simple and secure way of doing your taxes from the comfort and convenience of your home or office.
• Once you are registered, you can submit returns, view your tax status and make payments to KRA electronically 24 hours a day!
• eFilers are also given more time to make their submissions and payments.
• You also have a full history of all submissions, payments and electronic correspondence available to you at your fingertips.
• eFilers can also receive SMS and email notifications to remind you when submissions are due.
• It is the quickest route to file your income tax return.

Gather key documents together to register for tax

To enjoy the full benefits and convenience of eFiling, you need to first register to gain secure access to your own tax information.

Note: Registration for and the use of eFiling is free. All you need is internet access.

To complete the registration process you will need:

• Your tKRA PIN
• Your ID number
• Your personal details (i.e. address, telephone number, etc.)

Please note that KRA  will not provide your tax number to another person, unless the person is your tax practitioner or has power of attorney to conduct your tax affairs.