Your KRA profile is the record of who you are and what taxes you must file. If it is out of date, you miss messages, file the wrong returns and face penalties for obligations you should have cancelled. Updating it is simpler than most people expect. This guide covers the common changes: contact details, personal or business details and tax obligations.

What is on your profile

  • Your PIN and name
  • Contact details: email, phone, postal and physical address
  • Residential or business details
  • Registered tax obligations, such as income tax resident individual, PAYE, VAT, turnover tax, Monthly Rental Income or withholding
  • Bank accounts and, for businesses, directors and branches

KRA sends notices to the email and phone on file, and some OTP codes go to them, so keep them current.

Update your contact details

  1. Log in to iTax with your PIN and password.
  2. Open the menu for registration or amend PIN details (the wording can change as KRA updates the portal).
  3. Edit the email address, phone number or address. Some changes need a verification code sent to the new number or email.
  4. Submit and save the acknowledgement.

If you can no longer access the email linked to your PIN, you may not be able to receive the code. In that case, you will have to visit a KRA office or use the official support route to change it. Take your ID and PIN certificate. See how to reset your iTax password and fix login problems.

Correct personal or business details

Names, dates of birth and ID numbers are matched against other government systems. Errors need supporting documents. For an individual, submit the ID or passport. For a business, submit certificates of registration, the CR12 for companies and updated director details. The change may need approval from a KRA officer.

Add a tax obligation

You can only file a return for a tax if the obligation is registered on your PIN. To add one:

  1. Go to the registration menu and choose add tax obligation.
  2. Select the obligation, the effective date and details such as business activity.
  3. Submit and wait for approval.

Common additions:

Choose the effective date carefully. Obligations registered with an earlier date can create past-due returns, and penalties for periods you did not need to file.

Cancel an obligation you no longer need

If you have closed a business, left a job with side income or stopped renting, cancel the obligation so you are not asked for returns. File all returns up to the date, pay what is due and apply for cancellation on iTax. KRA may check before approving. See how to close or deregister a business. Until cancellation, file nil returns: nil returns explained.

Change from one regime to another

Changing from turnover tax to income tax, or from Monthly Rental Income to annual tax, normally needs a notice at the start of the year. Check the rules before switching, and compare using the turnover tax calculator and MRI or annual rental tax.

Keep your own record

Make a one-page list of your obligations, due dates and the person responsible, such as the KRA obligations register. Review it every January.

Tips

  • Use an email address you control long term, not one tied to a job you may leave.
  • Make sure the phone number is registered in your own name.
  • Keep copies of every acknowledgement.
  • Check your profile before applying for a tax compliance certificate: getting a tax compliance certificate.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change my name on the PIN? Yes, with supporting documents such as an ID or marriage certificate. The change must be approved.

How long does approval take? It varies. Simple updates can be immediate and others take days. Keep the acknowledgement while you wait.

Can someone else update my profile? Only you, or an authorised representative using proper authority, should do so. Never share your iTax password.

Will adding an obligation create backdated penalties? It can if the effective date is in the past and returns are overdue. Use the correct start date and ask KRA if unsure.