NAIROBI, Kenya — No Extensions: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has firmly shut the door on any potential timeline relief, declaring that there will be no last-minute extensions for the June 30 deadline to file 2025 individual and corporate tax returns.
With less than 48 hours left, tax compliance offices across the country are facing immense pressure as millions of Kenyans rush to beat the midnight cutoff to avoid severe financial penalties.
System Surges and Server Strain
As expected during the final week of June, the iTax portal is experiencing an unprecedented surge in user traffic. Users logged into the platform have reported intermittent downtime, slow page responsiveness, and delays in generating acknowledgment receipts.
Despite the technical hitches, KRA’s technical desk has maintained that the infrastructure is fully operational and capable of handling the volume, urging citizens not to wait until the final hours when server load peaks. The authority has deployed additional customer support personnel and extended hours at Huduma Centres nationwide to assist taxpayers struggling with the digital filing process.
Hefty Penalties Await Late Filers
The KRA has re-emphasized that failing to submit returns by June 30 will attract automatic statutory penalties. For individuals, a late filing fee of KSh 2,000 or 5% of the tax due (whichever is higher) will be automatically levied on their iTax accounts. Corporate entities face a much harsher penalty of KSh 20,000 or 5% of the tax due.
“Compliance is a constitutional obligation. The system has been open for the last six months, and we expect all eligible taxpayers to have completed their filings by now,” a senior KRA official noted, dismissing calls from business associations for a grace period.
Rush for Nil Returns
A significant chunk of the traffic hitting the iTax platform consists of unemployed youth, college students, and informal sector workers rushing to file ‘Nil Returns.’
Under Kenyan tax law, every citizen with an active KRA PIN—regardless of income status—is mandated to file a return. Financial analysts warn that many individuals often ignore this requirement, only to face blocked access to compliance certificates when seeking formal employment, government tenders, or business licensing later in the year. newsportal.co.ke
