This is a guide on how to apply for a KRA pin certificate using the KRA Portal. There are many instances where you will require to use the KRA pin. This document links you with the taxman for taxation.
The pin certificate is applied online and takes a short
time. Upon completion of the required processes for individuals, you get the
document instantly.
There Are Two Types of KRA Pin Certificates
- Individuals pin
which is then categorized as Kenyan resident, non-Kenyan resident, and
non-Kenyan non-resident.
- And
the other for companies, schools, NGOs, and other such
entities.
In this article, we are going to discuss how to apply for
the KRA pin for an individual, non-Kenyan resident, and for a company.
Keep in mind that the moment you get a KRA pin, you are
liable to pay taxes. This means you should remember to file your income tax returns annually and for any other
obligation on your pin.
How to Apply for the KRA Pin Certificate for a Kenyan
- Go
to the iTax
portal.
- On
the left-hand side where it is written ‘Do you want to apply for KRA
pin?’, click on the Register button.
- On
the next page for taxpayer type, select individual and mode of
registration select online form. Click next to proceed. An
e-registration form for individual opens.
- Select
your registration status which is either: Kenyan, Non-Kenyan Resident or
Non-Kenyan Non-Resident. Click on Kenyan option. You will require your
national ID.
There are Three Basic Tabs You Must Fill
Basic Information Tab
- Indicate
if you want to register for Digital Services Tax.
- Select
the appropriate residential details.
- Indicate
if you want to register for Turnover Tax.
- Select
your profession. Start with the major group then subgroup and finally the
minor group.
- On
the national ID details area, enter your ID number.
- On
the individual data section, enter your date of birth as it appears on the
ID. If on the ID the date has no month and date, then use 01/07 then the
year indicated on the document. Immediately after entering the date, if
the ID number and date of birth are correct, some of your personal data
and parent details are auto–populated.
If You Get an Error Message
If you get an error message – ‘a PIN has been issued for
entered National Identity Number’. This means that if you have entered the
correct ID number, then you already have a pin.
In such a case you should go to any KRA station or Huduma
centre with your original ID. They will retrieve your pin. Alternatively, scan
and email your original ID to callcentre@kra.go.ke requesting pin recovery.
An Easier Way of Recovering Your Pin With ID Only
There is an easier way of recovering your KRA pin using ID
only. You will also be able to check the email you used during registration.
Check this article on how to check KRA pin using ID number.
Physical Address
- For
the Principal Physical Address, indicate where you stay by entering the
street or road, County, Building, City or Town, District, and your Tax
area. Note that the physical address you select should be an area you can
access easily. This is because it will be your tax station where you will
be going whenever you have issues relating to your pin or taxes.
Your Contact and Address Details
- Enter
your principal postal address and postal code.
- The
next stage is to enter contact details. Enter your mobile number and email
address. Make sure you can be able to access the email address
you provide. After entering your email address, it is checked if it has
been used by another taxpayer.
The OTP Code
- You
will get a popup message – ‘In order to continue using iTax functionality
you are required to verify your email address. Please click “Send OTP”
button to receive OTP on the mentioned email address.’ Click on the new
button that appears so as to send an OTP code on your registered email.
- Open
your email and check for an email from admin.itax2. Look for a four-digit
code, note it down and go back to the iTax portal. Enter the one time
password where it is written ‘OTP code’. The code expires within 15 minutes.
- The
other information that follows after is optional. That is SMS
notifications, alternative address, bank account details if you are a
director elsewhere, and tributary bonds. At this stage, you are ready to
go to the next tab.
Tax Obligation Details Tab
The tax obligation detail is crucial as it determines the
tax type and when you will be paying for it. For an individual, the tax type is
income tax resident. If you are a non-resident, then select income tax
non-resident.
Income tax is filed once a year. It has to be before June 30
to avoid penalties. Your annual income determines the amount payable. Those
with no jobs can file zero or nil returns. After selecting the income tax,
select the registration date which is usually the same day you are applying for
your pin.
Source of Income
On this tab, you have to indicate where you get your source
of income from. If you have no income select no for employment, business
and rental income. If you have employment income, select yes
and then provide the employers’ pin.
Click on add button to have the employer details saved in
the database. If you have business income, make sure you have the business
registration certificate with you. Select yes and enter all the required
information and click add to save.
Further down; indicate the sector of economy involved. Once
done, remember to click on the add button. If you have rental houses, select
rental income and select the economy involved in; again remember to add to save
the records. Click next.
E-Agent Details
This tab is not necessary unless you have an authorized
agent who can submit any kind of application on your behalf. Well, if there is
continue to fill in all the necessary details.
Once done, perform the arithmetic problem provided and click
on submit. You will get a message alerting you that you will be getting any
communication from iTax in the email you have provided. Click on submit to
finish the process.
A link will be provided which you click to download the KRA
Pin. A copy of the pin together with your password for the first time login is
sent to your email.
How to Apply for the KRA Pin Certificate for a Non-Kenyan Resident
This is option is for foreigners residing in Kenya. Those
issued with an alien card. The process is much similar to the one above for
Kenyans. The only difference is that you use the Alien card.
Non-Kenyan KRA Pin Registration Requirements
- Alien
ID Card details.
- If
employed, employers’ PIN details.
- Business
registration certificate details for those in business.
Non-Kenyan Resident KRA Pin Application
- Visit
itax.kra.go.ke
- Select
“New PIN Registration”
- Select
“Non-Individual” and “Online Form” as your mode of registration.
- Indicate
if you want to register for Digital Services Tax.
- Select
the option Non-Kenyan Resident.
- Indicate
if you want to register for Turnover Tax.
- Fill
in your basic information.
- Upload
a copy of your Alien card.
- Select
suitable tax obligation by checking the relevant boxes.
- Enter
details of company directors or partners.
- Fill
in agent details if you have one.
- Enter
the result of the arithmetic sum provided and submit.
How to Apply for a Kra Pin for a Company
To apply for this pin, you must have registered your company and gotten the
incorporation certificate.
- Visit
itax portal
- Select
“New PIN Registration”
- Select
“Non-Individual” and “Online Form” as your mode of registration.
- Fill
in the business income details. Get these details from the incorporation
certificate. All the fields with an asterisk must be filled.
- List
the sector of the economy involved in. Remember to click the add button
after selecting.
- Scan
and upload a copy of your incorporation certificate.
- The
default obligation is Income Tax Company. However, if you want to add
other obligations such as VAT, ensure you do so. Note that it is possible
to add obligations later on. If you select VAT, indicate the estimated
Turnover.
- Add
the director(s) of the company. This is by entering their pin number and
remember to click on the add button.
- The
rest of the process is similar to that of an individual as above.
Company Pin Application Acknowledgement Receipt
You will not be issued with a pin instantly after
submitting. What you will get is an acknowledgement receipt. The pin and
password are sent to your email after approval.
How to Change Your First Time Pin Password
Go to your email and locate an email from admin.itax2. The
mail will be having your KRA pin and auto-generated password. Go to iTax portal
login page.
Enter your pin and click on continue. Enter the
auto-generated password, perform the provided calculation and click on log in.
On the next page, enter the old password from your email, then enter a new
password and confirm it.
Select a security question, agree to terms and conditions
and then submit the form. Note the password as you will be using it anytime you
are accessing the iTax portal.