The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a four-day extension for filing individual tax returns, along with a complete remission of penalties for late submissions.
This is a surprise but good development. For millions of Kenyans who had missed the June 30 deadline because of technological difficulties, last-minute delays, or ignorance, the announcement, which was made on July 1, is a huge relief.
The move, described by KRA as a “taxpayer facilitation measure,” gives individuals until Friday, July 5, to file their 2023 tax returns without incurring the mandatory Ksh2,000 penalty. This extension is rare and signals a responsive approach by the revenue body amid mounting pressure and digital system overloads reported in the final days of the deadline.
“We recognize that many compliant taxpayers encountered last-minute system downtimes and access difficulties due to the high volume of traffic,” said KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga. “This extension and waiver are meant to accommodate them and encourage a culture of voluntary compliance.”
The reprieve, however, applies strictly to individuals, companies and other entities are still required to comply within statutory deadlines unless officially advised otherwise.
Financial experts have welcomed the gesture as timely and people-centred, especially in a period when many households are grappling with rising living costs. “This is not just about tax; it’s about trust,” says tax analyst Faith Makori. “When the public sees KRA listening and responding empathetically, compliance improves.”
KRA has urged eligible taxpayers to take immediate advantage of this final window and file via the iTax portal to avoid future penalties. The authority also advised those with account issues to use available customer support channels, including Huduma Centres and KRA’s contact center.
With nearly 7 million individual taxpayers registered, this extension offers one last chance to stay compliant, without the sting of a fine.
