KRA Extends Tax Filing Deadline by 24 Hours to Ease Pressure on Taxpayers
Thousands of Kenyans now have a reason to celebrate after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) announced a 24-hour extension for the annual tax return filing deadline.
The extension comes as a huge relief to many taxpayers who were at risk of penalties due to delays.
Initially, the deadline was scheduled to expire at midnight on Monday, June 30, 2025. However, following technical issues that affected the iTax system during the final day of filing, KRA has extended the deadline to midnight on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
In an official statement, KRA said, “We have opened the service lane! There is now a 24-hour extension, giving Kenyans until tomorrow, July 1, 2025, at midnight to file and pay their tax returns!”
The authority further stated that its contact centre will remain operational between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm on Tuesday to assist taxpayers who might require help with the filing process.
Additionally, KRA service centres countrywide will operate for extended hours—from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm—to accommodate last-minute filers and provide the necessary support.
KRA reminded the public that filing annual tax returns is a legal responsibility for every eligible taxpayer.
This duty applies not only to those in formal employment but also to business owners, landlords, farmers, and even individuals who did not earn any income during the financial year. Such individuals are still required by law to submit a NIL return.
The tax authority also clarified that even if an employer deducts Pay As You Earn (PAYE) from an employee’s salary, the employee is still obligated to file a personal return independently.
For self-employed individuals, those earning rental income, or those engaged in agriculture or other business ventures, it is mandatory to disclose all sources of income when filing returns. Failing to comply with this requirement attracts stiff penalties.
KRA imposes a penalty of either 5 per cent of the tax due or Ksh2,000—whichever amount is higher—for those who fail to file their tax returns on time.
Moreover, any unpaid taxes after the deadline will attract a 5 per cent penalty on the outstanding amount. In addition, a 1 per cent monthly interest will continue to accumulate until the balance is fully cleared.
This is not the first time KRA has taken steps to assist taxpayers during peak filing periods. Back in May 2025, the authority had already taken measures to ease the burden by extending operating hours.
On Tuesday, May 20, KRA announced that its service centres and Huduma Centres across the country would remain open for longer hours to accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking to file their 2024 income tax returns.
These efforts were part of KRA’s wider plan to promote tax compliance and reduce last-minute congestion and delays, which are common as the filing deadline nears.
The initiative also aimed at ensuring that all Kenyans with active KRA Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) have a fair chance to meet their tax obligations.
The KRA continues to urge Kenyans to make use of the extended deadline and avoid waiting until the very last moment, which often leads to system overloads and further complications.
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