The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a major shift in the country’s tax calendar, moving the deadline for filing Individual Income Tax Returns from June 30 to April 30.
The change, set out in the Finance Act 2026 and signed into law by President William Ruto, takes effect on January 1, 2027.
KRA explained that the adjustment is designed to improve efficiency in tax administration. By requiring returns to be filed by the end of the fourth month after the close of the tax year, the authority gains a four-month window to review submissions, validate data, and prepare for the next fiscal cycle.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the move would help ‘avoid the last-minute rush’ that has traditionally overwhelmed the iTax system, where millions of Kenyans attempt to file returns in the final days of June.
For years, the June 30 deadline has been synonymous with long queues at KRA offices, system overloads, and frustrated taxpayers locked out of the platform.
The new April 30 deadline is expected to spread filing activity over a longer period, easing congestion and reducing technical glitches.
KRA Commissioner General Adan Mohamed told Parliament’s Finance Committee in June that staggered timelines would also allow the authority to focus on compliance checks and data validation before the next financial year begins.
The change primarily affects individual taxpayers, including employees under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, self-employed persons, and resident individuals with mixed income. Partnerships will also be required to comply with the new deadline.
