Kenyans urged to file tax returns digitally due to COVID-19 restrictions

Kenyans urged to file tax returns digitally due to COVID-19 restrictions

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited physical visits, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has urged Kenyans to use digital platforms to file their tax returns before the June 30 deadline.

In a statement on Sunday, the Authority asked all individuals and companies to submit their annual returns through the company’s online portal: https://itax.kra.go.ke.

“January 1st , 2021 marked the beginning of the tax return filing season for the 2020 year of income. All annual tax returns for the year 2020 for individuals and for entities with a December year-end should be submitted online through the iTax platform on or before June 30,  2021,” the KRA said on Saturday.

Kenyans have also been advised to file their returns early in order to escape the June 30 deadline rush.

At the same time, the KRA has urged taxpayers to make use of the Authority’s service KRA M-Service App which is available for smartphone users.

The App enables taxpayers to access various services offered by the Authority such as taxpayer registration, filing of returns and payment of taxes.

In the meantime, taxpayers with only employment income can use the web-based pre-populated income tax return labeled ‘ITR for employment income only.’

Individual taxpayers who have other sources of income in addition to employment income are required to use the Excel income tax return to file their returns.

Individuals who did not earn income in 2020 have also been reminded to file a Nil Return.

The KRA M-ServiceApp also offers a Nil Return filing option.

At the same time, the Authority urged taxpayers who encounter problems to use the available virtual support during the filing process, especially given the restrictions on in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taxpayers are encouraged to contact KRA for assistance by calling 0711-099-999 or 020 4 999999, sending an email to callcentre@kra.go.ke, or using their official social media accounts.

The Authority has also released reference materials, including a step-by-step guide on filing annual returns, on various platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, ostensibly to enable taxpayers to file returns at their leisure.

Tags:

KRA tax

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories