Govt announces new KRA tax return deadline for nil filers and individual taxpayers
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 2, 2026National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has announced new tax return filing deadlines for nil filers and individual taxpayers as part of sweeping reforms aimed at simplifying tax compliance and easing pressure on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) filing system.
Speaking on the changes introduced under the latest tax reforms in an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Mbadi said nil-filers and individuals whose only source of income is salaries taxed under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system will now be required to file their annual tax returns by April 30 instead of the previous June 30 deadline.
“Remember, all Kenyans were required before this law change to file their tax returns by June 30. And you know, Kenyans, in our nature, we usually wait until the last day to file the return,” Mbadi said.
“So what we have now done is that those who are nail filers and individual taxpayers, or those whose only source of income is salaries and personal income tax, will now be filing their tax returns by April 30,” Mbadi added.
He explained that the move is designed to streamline the tax return process by separating individual filings from business filings, which often involve more complex accounting and tax calculations.
Reducing congestion on KRA’s online platform
He noted that introducing an earlier deadline for nil filers and individual taxpayers will reduce congestion on KRA’s online filing platform while giving businesses more time to prepare their often more complicated tax returns.
Mbadi added that businesses whose tax obligations involve more detailed financial records and computations will file separately under the staggered system, allowing for a more orderly tax administration process.
The Treasury Cabinet Secretary dismissed criticism of the reforms, saying some critics had misrepresented the changes, despite their intended purpose of making tax compliance easier for Kenyans.
“A lot of propaganda was said about it, but I’m sure Kenyans will appreciate that,” he said.
The revised filing schedule is part of broader KRA reforms aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing taxpayer compliance, and eliminating the annual last-minute rush that has traditionally characterised the tax return filing period.