Three reasons you must file KRA tax returns this year
The Importance of Paying Taxes in Kenya
As long as you hold a KRA PIN Number, it is mandatory for you to submit a return. It doesn’t matter whether you have zero income at all, not employed, or been confined to a bed for all of 2018.
It is a requirement. Even for those who go abroad and say goodbye to Kenya, if you ever plan to return, your lack of filing returns will be waiting for you.
KRA allows for a NIL return, i.e. download the form and enter your details (PIN, year of return 01/01/2018 to 31/12/2109) and then skip over to the last tab and click ‘Validate’. It will generate a zero/Nil return. Then log in online and simply upload the zip file it generates.
3. The fine is now Ksh20,000 for not filing a return (whether or not you earned any income). Yes, if your watchman, or househelp or shamba boy, or car wash guy, or mama mboga has a valid KRA PIN, failure to file a return (even a nil return) will incur them a fine. That’s right.
And if they ignore this for five years, and decide to run for the position of MCA or MP, they will come face to face with a fine of over 100,000 plus unbelievable interest.
