Filing your KRA Nil returns is essentially telling the taxman, “I didn’t make enough to be taxed, but I’m still a law-abiding citizen.” It takes less than five minutes and saves you from a 2,000 KES penalty.
Since we are in 2026, you are currently filing for the 2025 calendar year. Here is the punchy, no-nonsense guide to getting it done.
Before You Start
- KRA PIN: Your 11-digit identifier.
- Password: If you forgot it, use the “Forgot Password” link to get a reset one in your email.
- Basic Math: You’ll need to solve a simple arithmetic problem (the “Security Stamp”) to log in.
The 6-Step Quick File
- Log In: Head to the iTax Portal. Enter your PIN, click Continue, enter your password, solve the math challenge, and hit Login.
- Navigate to Returns: On the top red menu bar, hover over Returns and select the last option: File Nil Return.
- Select Obligation:
- The “Type” and “Taxpayer PIN” will be pre-filled.
- For the “Tax Obligation” dropdown, select Income Tax – Resident Individual. Click Next.
- Confirm the Period:
- For the 2026 filing season, the Return Period From should be 01/01/2025.
- The Return Period To should be 31/12/2025.
- Note: If you have a “Wife PIN,” you can usually leave that field blank unless you are filing jointly.
- Submit: Click the Submit button. A pop-up will ask if you are sure; click OK.
- Download the Receipt: Once successful, you’ll see a “Download Returns Receipt” link. Click it. This is your only proof of filing—save it in your Google Drive or email it to yourself.
Pro-Tips for 2026
- The “Update Profile” Glitch: If iTax forces you to “Update Professional Details” before filing, just select “Others” or your current field, save, and then go back to the Returns menu.
- Deadline: The portal gets incredibly slow in late June. Do it now to avoid the June 30th “system is busy” headache.
- Mobile App: You can also use the M-Service app on your phone for an even faster experience.