KRA/FILE
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to roll out a web-based income tax return filing system, marking a major shift from the long-standing Microsoft Excel-based platform that taxpayers have used for years.
The authority says the planned transition is aimed at simplifying the tax return filing process while improving the stability of KRA's iTax system, particularly during peak filing periods when millions of taxpayers submit their annual returns.
Currently, taxpayers are required to download an Excel return form from the iTax portal, enable macros, fill in their income details offline and then upload the completed file back to the system.
The Excel forms use embedded macros to automatically compute tax liabilities, deductions and applicable tax reliefs before submission.
However, KRA says the process will soon be replaced by an online, web-based platform that will allow taxpayers to complete and submit their returns directly through the iTax portal without downloading Excel files.
Speaking on the reforms, KRA Chief Manager for Tax Policy Josephine Mugure said the move is part of broader measures to strengthen the tax filing infrastructure and prevent system slowdowns experienced during the annual filing season.
"There are things we are doing to ensure the system will be stable, even if we have more filers in April. The first thing is we are introducing web-based returns. We are not going to require you to fill out the Excel anymore. It will be web-based," Mugure said.
The new filing platform is expected to eliminate common challenges associated with the current Excel system, including compatibility issues, disabled macros and difficulties experienced by taxpayers using different versions of Microsoft Excel or alternative spreadsheet software.
The planned overhaul comes alongside changes to income tax return filing deadlines under new tax laws that stagger submission dates for different categories of taxpayers.
Mugure said that beginning in 2027, individuals earning employment income whose accounting period ends in December will be required to file their annual tax returns by April instead of the traditional June deadline.
"We have staggered returns in the Act so that the individual returns will be due by April, and natural persons by June. That makes traffic not coming at the same time," she said.
The current system requires most individual taxpayers to file their annual income tax returns by the end of June, resulting in a surge of users on the iTax portal in the final weeks before the deadline.
The heavy traffic has occasionally led to system congestion and slower processing speeds.
By introducing separate filing deadlines, KRA hopes to spread the volume of users over a longer period, easing pressure on the system while improving the taxpayer experience.
The transition to a fully web-based filing platform also aligns with KRA's broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to modernise tax administration, enhance compliance and make tax services more accessible.
