Due to the iTax system challenges experienced today, the tax return filing deadline, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has extended the deadline to July 1.
Tomorrow, taxpayers can physically visit any KRA tax service centre nationwide between 8 AM and 8 PM. For those who may need to call KRA customer service, their phone lines will be open an hour earlier, from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Online tax return filing via the web portal will also be available.
The iTax is a system managed by KRA that allows taxpayers to register for a PIN, file their tax return, apply for a tax compliance certificate, generate a payment slip, check their ledger account, and more.
Today, on deadline day for filing tax returns, the web portal was overwhelmed as taxpayers rushed to fulfill their tax obligations.
The server overload caused a frustrating user experience; many couldn’t log in because they had to wait extended periods for the iTax one-time password needed to access the system.
Read: How to File KRA Income Tax Returns
According to Part VIII of the Income Tax Act, every person with a personal identification number (PIN) is required to file and pay their taxes via iTax on or before the due date. This is usually June 30 of every year. By law, filing your taxes late attracts penalties from KRA.
While the June 30th tax filing deadline is typically set in law, the KRA has the power to grant an extra-statutory concession. This relaxation of the rules, like the current extension, is intended to help taxpayers mitigate their tax liabilities. Last-minute taxpayers now have a few more hours to help them avoid penalties for late submission.
