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In a rare move prompted by nationwide complaints, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has extended the deadline for filing annual tax returns from June 30 to July 5. The decision comes after thousands of taxpayers were locked out of the iTax platform on the final filing day due to prolonged system downtime. For many Kenyans, this extension is a vital reprieve from the anxiety and consequences of missing the legally binding annual requirement.
The new deadline covers individuals, small business owners, landlords, salaried workers, and even nil return filers. KRA's decision to postpone the deadline underscores growing concerns over digital infrastructure reliability, especially in a country moving toward full digital revenue administration.
Alongside the extension, KRA announced a full waiver of penalties and interest for taxpayers affected by the system crash—provided they file by July 5 at midnight. This gesture is aimed at calming public outrage and restoring confidence in the tax system. Ordinarily, late filing attracts an automatic Ksh2,000 fine or 5% of the tax due, whichever is higher, in addition to monthly interest.
This waiver doesn’t eliminate the responsibility to file—those who fail to meet the new deadline will still face penalties and potential disruption of access to key services such as government tenders, compliance certificates, and bank loans that require tax clearance.
KRA’s digital platform, iTax, experienced a sharp surge in traffic as the June 30 deadline approached. Millions of Kenyans waited until the final days to file, leading to slowdowns, timeouts, and access failures. Many could not upload returns or even log in—prompting KRA to issue a formal apology and promise future system improvements.
While this isn’t the first time the iTax portal has struggled under peak demand, the 2024 crash was particularly widespread, affecting even physical service centers. Critics have questioned why system scalability remains a recurring issue for such a critical national function.
To manage the backlog, KRA announced extended working hours for physical offices and Huduma Centres across the country. Taxpayer Service Centres are now operational from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, with dedicated support teams helping with form processing, P9 uploads, and guidance for first-time filers.
Taxpayers have also been encouraged to avoid last-minute rushes and instead take advantage of the smoother traffic windows offered by this temporary extension. With five extra days, KRA is banking on reduced pressure and a more orderly filing process.
Whether employed, self-employed, unemployed, or a student with a KRA PIN, everyone must file a tax return annually. This includes:
-Employed persons: Required to file using their P9 forms, provided by employers.
-Business owners/landlords: Must present income details and expenses.
-Nil filers: Those without income still have to file a nil return to stay compliant.
Failure to file, even if you earned nothing, results in penalties and complicates your tax history.
This year’s disruption shines a spotlight on KRA’s ambitions for a tech-driven tax ecosystem. It also exposes a recurring disconnect between digital promises and the practical realities of taxpayer experience. Calls for better load management, system audits, and infrastructure upgrades are growing louder.
With the July 5 extension now in place, KRA has a short window to not only support taxpayers through the crisis but also deliver on its long-term mandate of digital transformation and trust-building.
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