The Kenya Revenue Authority has rolled out a simplified three-step process for filing annual tax returns for salaried Kenyans, in a move aimed at boosting compliance and easing the filing experience for employees.
The new system, unveiled on Thursday, allows taxpayers earning employment income to complete their returns through the iTax platform in a faster and more streamlined process.
According to KRA, the updated approach is designed to reduce the complexity that many employed Kenyans previously faced while navigating multiple fields and verification stages.
Filing returns now “as easy as 1, 2, 3”
Under the revised process, salaried taxpayers are first required to log into their iTax accounts using their KRA PIN or national ID number together with their password.
Once logged in, users proceed to the Returns section and select the simplified return option for employment income. The platform then automatically guides them through the relevant prompts.
The final step requires taxpayers to confirm the tax computation, including whether there is any tax payable or refund due, before submitting the return and downloading the acknowledgement receipt.
“Filing returns for employment income just got as easy as 123. Log in, click and confirm,” KRA said in its announcement.
Shift from previous eight-step system
The simplified process marks a significant change from the earlier eight-step system introduced in February, which required users to manually confirm details such as filing period, gross income, PAYE deductions, and other tax-related figures.
Previously, employed Kenyans had to go through multiple confirmation stages before submission, a process that many users found time-consuming and prone to errors.
With the new update, several key details, including filing dates and tax computations, are now auto-populated by the system to reduce mistakes and save time.
Push for higher compliance
The latest changes come as the deadline for annual income tax return filing draws closer, with KRA urging all eligible taxpayers to file on time to avoid penalties.
The authority says the move is part of its broader effort to improve compliance rates while embracing digital solutions that simplify tax administration.
The simplified process is expected to benefit thousands of salaried Kenyans, particularly those who previously struggled with the lengthy filing requirements on the iTax portal.
Digital tax reforms continue
The rollout also reflects KRA’s continued investment in digital tax services as it seeks to make compliance more user-friendly and efficient.
For many employed taxpayers, the new process is likely to ease the burden of annual filing and encourage timely submissions ahead of the deadline.
