In Kenya, you need a KRA PIN if you are employed or are in business. You will also need it when you are filling your taxes. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) allows application of the PIN on the iTax system.

In this article, we will look into how to get a KRA Personal Identification Number (PIN) certificate for an individual for those who might not have one. It is relatively easy and only takes about 5 minutes to complete the process.

Step 1

Go to the KRA iTax website, if you already have a PIN it will prompt you to insert it but it also offers an option to register a new PIN for those without. Click on the area indicated by the arrow to register.

Step 2

Once you click on new registration, it will lead you to the second page. Here you will be prompted to indicate whether you are applying for the PIN as an individual or a company. For the purposes of this post, i have selected the individual option. You will also be asked to indicate whether you want to use an online form or be allowed to download a form that you can fill out manually and upload later. I chose the online form option which i felt is less tedious.

Step 3

Here one is expected to indicate whether one is a Kenyan, non Kenyan resident or a non Kenyan non resident. Every option chosen has different requirements in regards to details needed.

Step 4

After indicating that you are a Kenyan, one is expected to indicate their profession with various options provided like accountants, dentists, engineers among others. If your profession is not indicated choose the others option and type in your profession. For this application, the individual is a student.

The iTax system seems to be linked to the national i.d database so one only has to insert the identification number and date of birth and it will populate other details like your name and your parent’s names. If you attempt to put a wrong date of birth or put a fake i.d number the system will promptly inform you the it does not recognize the number. I found this to be very convenient in that one does not have to type in all the details.

After filling out the basic details, one is expected to fill out the next form which is obligation details. For this instance i chose Income Tax for a Resident, ensure to indicate the registration date which is basically the date when you make the registration.

The third form to fill out is the source of income details. If employed or have any other income you are expected to choose the Yes option. In this instance the student does not have any source of income.

Being an individual one is not expected to fill out the Agent details so just leave it blank.

Step 5

Once you have inserted all the data, you can submit but the system will first expect you to do some simple math so as to prove that you are human. It is only when you have given a correct answer that you will be allowed to submit.

However if you have not filled out all the details you will promptly receive a message showing the areas that you have missed.

Also if you take too long to finish the process you will be timed out which means that you have to start over again. So ensure to finish the processes as quickly as possible.

Step 6

If you have filled out all the details correctly, you will promptly receive your PIN number with an option to download a PDF version of the same. Ensure to provide the correct email address because this is where they will send the login credentials that will enable you to access the iTax system and submit your returns.

In the event that you registered your PIN before the iTax system was introduced, you need to register too. However unlike someone registering for the first time, you just need to input your PIN in the area indicated by the arrow and click on continue. You will then be prompted to update your details on iTax after which you will receive a new PIN certificate via email.

So as you have seen applying for a PIN certificate is pretty easy as such you do not have any excuse not to have one.