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Tax

Individual tax return workpaper

Collect all your income for the year, subtract what is allowable and see the taxable income and the tax already paid before you file.

Individual tax return workpaper template

A return is easier when everything is in one place. List each source of income with its description, the gross amount, the allowable deductions and the tax already withheld or paid, and the workbook shows the taxable income from each source, the totals and a summary by source that you can copy into your return.

Individuals with more than one source of income, such as salary, rent and a side business, and accountants preparing personal returns.

What is included

  • Sources for employment, rent, business, interest, dividends and other income
  • Allowable deductions for each source
  • Taxable income from each source
  • Tax already withheld or paid
  • Summary by source with a chart

Screenshots

  • Income and deductions for the year of Individual tax return workpaper
  • Taxable income by source of Individual tax return workpaper

How to use it

  1. List each source of income and a short description.
  2. Type the gross income for the year from that source.
  3. Enter the allowable deductions and the tax already withheld or paid.
  4. Read the taxable income and tax credits, and copy the totals to your return.

Templates are tools to help with your own records. They are not tax or legal advice. Check the figures against official sources before filing or paying.

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What the individual tax return workpaper does

A return is easier when everything is in one place. List each source of income with its description, the gross amount, the allowable deductions and the tax already withheld or paid, and the workbook shows the taxable income from each source, the totals and a summary by source that you can copy into your return.

Who it is for

Individuals with more than one source of income, such as salary, rent and a side business, and accountants preparing personal returns.

How to use the workbook

  1. List each source of income and a short description.
  2. Type the gross income for the year from that source.
  3. Enter the allowable deductions and the tax already withheld or paid.
  4. Read the taxable income and tax credits, and copy the totals to your return.
  5. Save a copy under a new name for each month or year, so earlier records stay as they were.

What is inside

  • Sources for employment, rent, business, interest, dividends and other income
  • Allowable deductions for each source
  • Taxable income from each source
  • Tax already withheld or paid
  • Summary by source with a chart

The workbook has these sheets: Instructions, Income, By source. The main table has the columns Source; Description; Gross income; Allowable deductions; Taxable income; Tax withheld or paid. Yellow cells are for you to fill in and grey cells calculate by themselves, so leave the grey cells alone. The example rows show how it works; type over them with your own entries.

Tips for getting it right

  • Use the P9, rent records and business accounts as the starting point.
  • Keep the supporting documents for every figure in the workpaper.
  • Check the rules for each type of income, since some is taxed at source.
  • File before the deadline and keep the acknowledgement.

Why keep this record

Most tax trouble comes from late or missing records rather than from the tax itself. When the figures are collected as they happen, preparing a return becomes a matter of copying totals, not of searching for receipts. A workbook that follows the same layout as the return also makes it easier to spot a number that looks wrong before KRA does, and to explain it if asked.

Questions people ask

Do I need to know Excel formulas? No. Type into the yellow cells and the rest is worked out for you. The formulas are visible if you want to see how a figure is reached.

Can I add rows or change the layout? You can add your own columns to the right and your own notes. If you insert rows inside a table, copy the grey formula cells down so the new rows calculate too.

Will it work on my phone or in Google Sheets? Yes for viewing and typing, but dropdown lists and the charts look best in desktop Excel or LibreOffice.

Keeping it safe and up to date

Tax figures change with each Finance Act, so check the Rates sheet against KRA's current guidance before you file. Keep the supporting documents with the workbook, and keep each year's copy for at least five years in case KRA asks for proof.

Read the KRA filing calendar for small businesses for the wider picture. Free calculators that go with it: P9 tax return calculator, Tax reliefs calculator, Rental income tax calculator. See more tax templates or ask us for a custom one.

The workbook works in Microsoft Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets. It is a tool to help you work out and record figures, not tax, legal or accounting advice, and it is not affiliated with the Kenya Revenue Authority. If something does not work as described, contact us and we will put it right.

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