iTax is the Kenya Revenue Authority's online system for registering, filing returns and paying tax. Almost every tax task you will meet, from filing your annual return to paying rental income tax, happens there. This guide explains how registration works so that you know what to expect. We are an independent site and have no access to iTax: you always register and log in yourself, and nobody on this site will ever ask for your password.

Before you start

Have these ready:

  • A national ID (for Kenyan citizens and residents) or a passport (for foreigners).
  • An email address you can access, because KRA sends the first password there.
  • A phone number in your name, for verification messages.
  • A device with a modern browser, and a few quiet minutes. Use KRA's own website, which is kra.go.ke, and be careful of look-alike pages.

Registration is free. Nobody needs to be paid to register you, and you should be wary of anyone who asks for money to "unlock" a PIN.

Step by step

  1. Open the official portal. Go to kra.go.ke and follow the link to iTax. Type the address yourself or use a bookmark rather than clicking a link from a message.
  2. Choose to register as a taxpayer. On the home page you will find an option for new PIN registration for individuals.
  3. Enter your details. You will be asked for your ID number, date of birth and contact details. Check each field, because a mistake can delay the application.
  4. Confirm by email or SMS. Follow the verification message sent to you.
  5. Receive your PIN. When the application succeeds, KRA issues a Personal Identification Number and a certificate you can download and print.
  6. Set your password. Follow the instructions to create a strong password, and store it somewhere safe. If you forget it, use the password reset on the login page.

After you register

Log in once to confirm everything works, then check that your obligations are right. An employee should show income tax on employment. A landlord might need rental income tax added, and a business owner may need VAT, PAYE or turnover tax. If an obligation is missing, add it through the profile section so that you do not miss returns. If an obligation you do not have is listed, ask KRA to remove it, because a return that is due but not filed attracts a penalty. Our penalty calculator shows how quickly that can add up.

Keeping your account safe

  • Never share your password or the codes sent to you, even with someone who says they are from KRA.
  • Use your own email and phone number so that password resets reach you.
  • Log out on shared computers.
  • Keep a record of the date and the confirmation of every return and payment.

When something goes wrong

If your ID does not match the registry, or the system rejects your application, contact KRA through its official support channels, or visit a service centre with your documents. Agents and cyber cafés can help with a form, but you should still hold the login yourself.

What next

Once you are registered, you can estimate your tax with our calculators, then file the return yourself. The employment tax guide and the 30 June deadline guide explain the annual return, and the rental income guide covers landlords.

This guide is general information, not tax advice, and the portal changes from time to time.