Taxpayers get five extra days to file returns after major KRA system glitch

Taxpayers have been granted a five-day extension to complete their returns following a major glitch on Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) system on Monday.

KRA Commissioner-General Humphrey Wattanga on Tuesday gave taxpayers up to July 5 to file annual returns for the year ending December 2024 and avoid the five percent penalty of the taxes for residents and Sh10,000 for non-residents.

"Cognisant of the challenges faced by taxpayers during the period and taking into account the provisions of Section 89 (5a) (b) of the Tax Procedures Act, KRA assures the public that we will undertake to waive any interest or penalties that may accrue due to late filing of the end year returns for the year of income ending December 31, 2024, provided that such returns are filed by July 5, 2025," Mr Watanga wrote in a public notice Tuesday.

The law empowers the KRA boss to waive penalties and interest slapped on taxpayers if it is determined the reasons for non-compliance were beyond their control, including iTax system error.

KRA initially extended the filing period by a day on Monday after tax payment and filing services on iTax, the online tax system, were disrupted because of “high volume of taxpayers attempting,” to beat the deadline.

About 81 percent of 9.669 million active taxpayers filed returns and paid taxes on time by June 30, 2024.

The KRA did not disclose the number of taxpayers who had filed returns before the iTax system hitches on Monday.

“The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) sincerely appreciates Taxpayers for turning out in large numbers to file their income tax returns for the period ending 31 December, 2024,” Mr Wattanga said in the statement.

“The large turnout not only demonstrates the patriotism by Kenyans, but also the trust and faith you have bestowed on the tax administration.”

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