Clock ticking: Kenyans urged to file 2024 tax returns before June 30 deadline

As the June 30 deadline fast approaches, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is urging all taxpayers to file their 2024 income tax returns promptly to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the law. Whether you earned an income last year or not, the law requires that if you are a Kenyan who holds a KRA Personal Identification Number (PIN), you must file a return for the year ending December 31, 2024.

Filing your tax return isn’t just a legal obligation under the Income Tax Act, it’s a crucial step toward enhancing transparency in the country’s tax system. It enables you to know whether you owe the taxman anything or whether KRA actually owes you a refund.

Who Needs to File?

Every individual, company, partnership, or other legal entity with a KRA PIN is required to file. This includes:

                •             Employed persons, even those who changed or lost jobs during 2024.

                •             Business owners and landlords.

                •             Freelancers and individuals with side hustles.

                •             Individuals with no income, who must submit a NIL return.

                •             Those receiving income from abroad or from inheritance.

                •             Partners in a partnership firm.

Penalties for not filing returns on time include a Sh2,000 fine for individuals and up to Sh20,000 for companies. KRA emphasizes that failing to file is not an option if your PIN is active.

What You Need to File

For those in formal employment, filing is fairly straightforward. You’ll need:

                •             Your P9 form from your employer.

                •             Insurance or mortgage certificates (if applicable).

                •             A tax exemption certificate (if applicable).

If you have business, rental, or farming income, you’ll need to present a set of financial records, including an income statement, balance sheet, and any relevant withholding certificates.

And yes, even if tax was already deducted from your income (via Pay As You Earn or Withholding Tax), you still have to file. Those credits are taken into account in your final assessment.

Many Kenyans assume they don’t need to file if they earned nothing, or if tax was already deducted. That’s incorrect. KRA systems require an annual return from every PIN holder. If you didn’t earn anything, the system still expects a NIL return. It’s quick and helps you avoid unnecessary penalties.

Another misconception is that once you’ve lost access to your iTax email or forgotten your password, you’re stuck. Not so. KRA has support channels to help you reset your credentials or update your email via their customer care hotline or website chat services.

If you’re unsure of the process, KRA has published step-by-step guides online on everything from filing returns using multiple P9 forms, to submitting NIL returns, to resetting your iTax password. These can be accessed via their official website: www.kra.go.ke/file-my-returns

With just weeks to go before the June 30 cutoff, KRA is appealing to all Kenyans to act now. The system is open 24/7, and early filers avoid the last-minute rush and inevitable system slowdowns.

Whether you’re a full-time employee, a business owner, or simply someone with a dormant PIN, jiondolee jam, file and pay your 2024 returns on iTax today.

For more information, you can reach KRA on their official social media pages or write an email to [email protected]. You can also call 0711099 999 or chat with them viahttps://kenya-revenue-authority.custhelp.com/app/chat/chat_launch.