Getting Your KRA PIN as a Freelancer — Everything You Need
No PIN means no business. Here is how to register with KRA as an individual freelancer, what information you need, and what to do if you have never filed.
Kolekta
In Kenya, your KRA PIN is your tax identity — and increasingly, your key to getting paid. Clients, platforms, and banks ask for it constantly. If you are freelancing without one, you are leaving money and opportunities on the table.
Why freelancers need a PIN
- To invoice clients — corporates require a PIN to process supplier invoices.
- To register tax obligations and file returns on iTax.
- To pay taxes via M-PESA Paybill and bank payment slips.
- To open business bank accounts and sign contracts.
What you need to register
- Your national ID (or passport for non-residents).
- A phone number and email address.
- Your address and date of birth.
- Your source(s) of income (e.g. freelance services, digital content, consulting).
Step-by-step registration
- Visit the iTax portal at itax.kra.go.ke and open the registration page.
- Choose “Individual” as your taxpayer type.
- Select “Online Form” as the mode of registration.
- Fill in Section A (basic information), Section B (obligation details), and Section C (source of income details).
- Submit the form.
You will receive an acknowledgment receipt with a reference number so you can track your application while you await approval.
What happens after approval
You receive your PIN certificate. Log in to iTax, confirm your tax obligations (typically Income Tax — Resident Individual), and you are officially in the system.
First-time filer? Start here
If you have been earning and have never filed, the best move is to file a voluntary disclosure before KRA comes looking. Voluntary disclosures generally attract more favourable treatment than a surprise audit letter. Gather your income records, use the iTax walkthrough in our KRA iTax guide, and consider an accountant if your affairs are complex.
PIN hygiene
Never share your PIN password. Beware “KRA officers” who call demanding payment or asking you to share your password — KRA will never ask for your password. Official communication comes through the iTax portal and official KRA channels.