This is the Most Dreaded Phenomenon by Kenyans and Here is Everything You Need to Know About it

Good roads, good schools, well equipped hospitals and even well maintained high end bars are some of the things Kenyans look forward to. They wake up every day, endure long hours in traffic and obnoxious bosses all in the aim of ensuring they have some money in their pockets and that the above amenities are set in place.

My only question is how do you expect this to happen when you don’t pay taxes? When all you talk about on Friday nights after work is how to cheat your way into not paying them? And then you still sit there and complain that the government is not doing enough? Last I checked change always starts with you.

But then again, that might not be the case. Maybe you want to file your tax returns but you just don’t know how. Come on with me; let’s take a stroll into nitty gritties of fulfilling this all important obligation:

To start with, who is obligated to pay taxes? Well, employees, self- employed, landlords and even those who are unemployed. Now before you start throwing stones at me, those that are unemployed are required to file nil returns.

And how do you go about the process of filing your tax returns? Here is how together with everything else you might want to know about the process:

Q: How do I register for a PIN? click on the “PIN registration tab on this link https://itax.kra.go.ke/#iTaxToday

Q. Can I file my returns without updating my PIN?  You need to update your PIN on iTax before you file your return https://itax.kra.go.ke/#iTaxToday

Q. Are manual returns acceptable? Manual returns are no longer accepted. All returns are filed online on the iTax platform http://www.kra.go.ke/notices/pdf2016/Filing%20of%20Income%20Tax%20-13.6×16.3cm%20%281%29-%20revised.pdf #iTaxToday

 Q. If I forget/misplace my PIN, do I need another one? In case you forget/misplace your PIN, please visit the nearest KRA office or @HudumaKenya with your original ID (Passport for non-resident) for retrieval #iTaxToday

Q. What do I need to retrieve my PIN? You need to present your original national ID for Kenyans, passport for non-Kenyan-nonresident or alien ID for non-Kenyan resident to KRA office or @HudumaKenya #iTaxToday

Q. What should I do when I get an error message that my date of birth is inconsistent with the records at national registration bureau? Try using 1st/July/YOB. In case this does not work, contact us for further assistance on 0711099999 or [email protected] #iTaxToday

 Q. What do I do in case I forget my login password? Use the ‘Forgot password’ link on the portal or contact us for a password reset. https://itax.kra.go.ke/ #iTaxToday

Q. Once I file online, do I need to visit your offices? No, you will receive an acknowledgment receipt of your filed return to confirm it has been received #iTaxToday

Q. How do I make payment on iTax? log in to your web portal account through https://itax.kra.go.ke/ select payment registration under payment drop down menu, fill the required details on payment information page, submit and download the E-slip.

Using the PRN as your account number, you can make payment via Mpesa, pay bill number 572572 or use the downloaded E-slip as your deposit slip for Bank payments #iTaxToday

Q. How do I view already filed returns on iTax? Log in iTax  https://itax.kra.go.ke/, go to the ‘Returns’ tab, select ‘View Filed Return’ and click the ‘Consult’ tab. #iTaxToday

Q.What are the repercussions for failure to file or pay taxes? Failure to file returns and pay taxes where due attracts penalties and interest #iTaxToday

Q. What is the current I.T.1 version? To get the updated version of the return kindly download it through you web portal account #iTaxToday

 Q. What do I do when I get the error message ‘you might be using a cached page’? Open a new tab or refresh the web page #iTaxToday

Q. I applied for a PIN this year. I am eligible to file annual returns? This depends on the tax obligation on your PIN

NOTE: For IT1/IT2C the current filing period applies to taxpayers who acquired their PINs either in the course of 2015 or prior. #iTaxToday

Q. I was not in gainful employment in the course of 2015. Do I still need to file a return? Yes, you do. However, in your case, you shall file a Nil return #iTaxToday

Q. Where do I get a P9 form? Kindly liaise with your employer to be facilitated with the form. #iTaxToday

Q. I cannot access the email address I used during registration on iTax account. What should I do? Send a colored scan of your original national ID, PIN and the working email address to [email protected] for amendment #iTaxToday

Q: My Accounting Period is displayed wrongly in the iPage functionality. How do I get them corrected? Log in to your PIN profile, select registration and click on amend PIN details to initiate change of accounting period. #iTaxToday

Q.Is one required to file when business details have been amended and not yet approved.  i.e. accounting period, type of business. Yes one should still file, even before the amendment is done. #iTaxToday

Q. Can the amount auto-populated in the ITR be edited?  If the PAYE credits are less than 12 months, ITR can be edited. However, if the employer filed via iTax and all the credits (12 months) are updated on the iTax ledger, then the figures cannot be edited. #iTaxToday

Q. Can a VAT obligation added erroneously be removed?Yes. Visit your tax station with a letter requesting for removal of the obligation. #iTaxToday

Q. What is the validity period of an e-slip an e-slip is valid for 30 days. #iTaxToday

Q Can I make a payment before filing a return?Yes you can. Payments of taxes and filing returns have been delinked #iTaxToday

Q. What do I do if I made payments but I cannot see them on my iTax ledger? This mainly happens if payments are outside iTax platform i.e. without generating a PRN from iTax or not quoting the PRN when executing payment. The taxpayer should provide the payment documents to their respective KRA station #iTaxToday

Q How do I make payments for Income Tax – Withholding (WHT) in iTax?

Go to Payments then Payment Registration on taxpayer profile. Select Income Tax on the Tax Head then select WHT on Tax Sub Head. You can add withholdee details that you have withheld their payment either by Excel Upload or by Web Form. Add the transaction details. Generate a payment slip by selecting mode of payment and bank details. #iTaxToday

Q. Can I correct an error once I file a return? Yes. You can do this by filing an amended return. #iTaxToday

Q. Can I view a copy of the previous returns that I have filed for previous tax periods? Yes. You login to your account, select the returns tab then View filed return #iTaxToday

Q:I made an error when filing a return, what next? You can file amended return#iTaxToday

Q: I am below the tax threshold of KSH.11,135. Should I file? Yes, download the form, fill, and then the form will calculate the tax due #iTaxToday

Q: Can I file my employee income and side hustle income.Yes, fill the details on IT1, and declare you have another source of income. #iTaxToday

Q:I am uploading my return and there is an error 146021787851…The error is normally due to connectivity issue kindly, keep trying #iTaxToday

Q: how can I pay for my penalties? Generate an e-Slip pertaining Payment Registration Number (PRN) and make payment via (Mpesa,Cash, Cheque or RTGS) #iTaxToday