Tax reliefs and exemptions claim tracker

What the tax reliefs and exemptions claim tracker does

Reliefs only help if you claim them and can prove them. List each relief or exemption, the tax year and the amount claimed, note the document that supports it and whether you hold it, and record whether it was claimed, pending or rejected, so that you claim everything you are entitled to and can answer any query.

Who it is for

Employees, landlords, business owners and accountants who claim reliefs such as insurance, pension, mortgage interest and disability exemption.

How to use the workbook

1. Add a row for each relief or exemption you can claim.
2. Enter the amount and the supporting document.
3. Mark whether you hold the document.
4. Update the status when KRA accepts or queries the claim.
5. Save a copy under a new name for each month or year, so earlier records stay as they were.

What is inside

• Relief type, tax year and amount claimed
• Supporting document and whether it is held
• Claimed, pending or rejected status
• Total claimed at the top
• Summary by relief type with a chart

The workbook has these sheets: Instructions, Claims, By relief. The main table has the columns Taxpayer; Relief; Tax year; Amount claimed; Supporting document; Document held?; Status. 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

• Ask for insurance and pension certificates every January.
• Claim in the year the expense happened.
• Keep documents for five years.
• Check each relief's limit before you claim.

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: Tax reliefs calculator, Paye 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.

Related guides, calculators and templates

• Free calculator: Tax Reliefs Calculator
• Free calculator: PAYE Calculator
• Guide: How to prepare for a performance review and a salary talk
• Guide: Caretakers and property managers: roles, pay and oversight
• Guide: How KRA uses data matching and what it means for you
• Another template: PAYE with reliefs and deductions calculator
• Another template: Annual income tax estimator
• Another template: Annual income tax return filing checklist

Need something different? Request a custom template, browse all guides or see every Excel template.