How to File Your Returns on iTax — Step by Step

Every Kenyan taxpayer’s relationship with the government runs through one portal: iTax, at itax.kra.go.ke. For freelancers and small-business owners it is the place you register your obligations, file returns, and get the Tax Compliance Certificate clients keep asking for. Here is the full walkthrough.

Before you start

• Your KRA PIN and password. If you have never registered, do that first — your PIN is your tax identity.
• Your income records for the year: bank statements, M-PESA business statements, invoices, and contracts.
• Records of any expenses you intend to claim (with supporting receipts).
• A stable internet connection and patience — the portal can be slow during peak filing weeks.

Step 1: Log in

Go to itax.kra.go.ke and log in with your PIN as the username and your password. If you have forgotten your password, use the “Forgot Password” flow — you will need the registered email or phone number.

Step 2: Check your obligations

After logging in, look at your dashboard for your registered tax obligations — for example, Income Tax, Turnover Tax, or VAT. If you are self-employed, your income tax obligation is typically “Income Tax — Resident Individual.”

Step 3: File your return

• Click the Returns tab and select File Return.
• Choose the tax obligation relevant to you (e.g. Income Tax — Resident Individual for freelancers).
• Select the tax period (the year you are filing).
• Download the Excel/CSV return template, fill it in with your income and allowable deductions, and validate it.
• Upload the validated file back to iTax, agree to the terms and conditions, and submit.

You will receive an acknowledgement receipt confirming your filing. Save it.

Step 4: Make your payment

If you owe tax, go to the Payments tab, select Payment Registration, choose the tax head and period, and generate a payment slip. You can pay:

• At a bank using the generated payment slip.
• Via M-PESA using KRA’s Paybill number and the payment registration number as the account number.
• By card, if supported.

Step 5: Get your compliance certificate

Once your returns are filed and any tax is paid, you can generate a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) from iTax. Many clients and corporates require a TCC before they will pay you — so keep your filings current.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Filing after the deadline — late filing attracts penalties.
• Filing a nil return when you actually had income (interest on late taxes adds up fast).
• Understating income and hoping nobody notices — KRA cross-checks bank and M-PESA data.
• Not keeping your acknowledgment receipts.

When to get help

If your affairs are simple — a single income stream and standard deductions — iTax is very doable yourself. If you have multiple businesses, employees, or cross-border income, an accountant who files through iTax is worth every shilling.