By Tony Wafula
Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched a new WhatsApp filing solution, marking a significant milestone in the Authority’s journey toward digital transformation and customer-focused tax reforms.
Speaking during a press briefing, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga emphasized the Authority’s commitment to providing simplified, efficient and inclusive tax solutions that drive domestic revenue growth.
The Authority has optimized its systems to allow taxpayers to file with ease, ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience.
The filing process has now been reduced from the previous eight (8) to three (3) simple steps. The introduction of the WhatsApp Filing Solution leverages the widely used messaging platform to support taxpayers in filing their annual returns and provides real-time assistance.
KRA will also offer instant support via WhatsApp to taxpayers who may encounter difficulties during the filing process, further enhancing convenience and accessibility while empowering taxpayers to self-serve.
However, Wattanga affirmed that this initiative is part of a phased filing approach designed to ease congestion and encourage timely compliance.
“In addition to the WhatsApp platform, the Authority has introduced significant system enhancements for various taxpayer categories. For individuals with employment income, the KRA now provides prefilled and simplified returns that incorporate data from employer PAYE submissions, including Gross Pay, Taxable Pay, and deductions such as the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and Affordable Housing Levy (AHL),” he noted.
Employers also benefit from a rollout of a simplified PAYE return that enables accurate capture of all applicable exemptions and reliefs within their payroll systems.
He pointed out that for taxpayers with other sources of income, the system now offers prefilled annual returns covering basic information and withholding taxes.
An enhanced taxpayer dashboard provides improved visibility of transactions related to invoices, imports and exports.
Furthermore, he said that there is expanded flexibility in expense claims, allowing for the declaration of valid non-eTIMS business expense invoices supported by appropriate documentation.
The Commissioner General also reminded all taxpayers that the statutory deadline for the payment of any balance of tax for income earned in 2025 is 30th April, 2026.
These enhancements mark the beginning of a broader transformation journey aimed at achieving timely filing of annual income tax returns.
The KRA calls upon all individuals and businesses to come forward, file their returns, and pay any tax liabilities arising from their 2025 economic activities.
