KRA announces iTax downtime for scheduled maintenance
By Faith Lagat, April 27, 2026The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a temporary shutdown of its iTax platform to allow for scheduled system maintenance, days before the April 30 deadline for clearing outstanding tax balances.
In a notice shared on its official X account, the authority stated: “Please be advised that iTax will be undergoing a scheduled maintenance from today, Monday, 27th April 2026, 10:00 PM to Tuesday, 28th April 2026, 2:00 AM. We regret any inconvenience caused.”
The four-hour maintenance window will make the iTax system inaccessible to all users. KRA has advised taxpayers to plan ahead and complete transactions outside the stated period to avoid disruptions.
The notice comes as the authority continues to urge compliance ahead of the April 30 deadline. In an earlier public advisory, KRA stated: “Clear any outstanding balance by 30th April 2026 to avoid penalties and interest. Don’t wait, pay today!”
Failure to meet the deadline attracts penalties and interest, increasing the financial obligation for both individuals and businesses.
Tax obligations and payment process
KRA requires businesses to pay instalment tax in four equal portions on or before the 20th day of the fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth months of the accounting period. Individual taxpayers are required to settle their tax in a lump sum, although those with annual tax exceeding Ksh40,000 may opt to pay in instalments.
Once the system is restored, taxpayers can access iTax using their KRA PIN or National ID and password. The process involves registering a payment, selecting the relevant tax head, sub-head, tax period and amount, after which a Payment Registration Number is generated.
The number is then used to complete payments through designated banks or mobile money via Paybill number 222222.
Compliance measures and timelines
The authority has continued to roll out measures aimed at strengthening tax compliance. These include the Electronic Tax Invoicing Management System (eTIMS), participation in the Common Reporting Standard for exchange of financial information, and integration with banking and mobile money platforms.
KRA has also introduced the Shuru service on WhatsApp to simplify filing for employment income returns.
The April 30 payment deadline precedes the June 30, 2026 deadline for filing annual tax returns. Taxpayers have been advised to act early to ensure compliance and avoid last-minute challenges once the system resumes operations.