Willis Otieno questions push to move tax return filing deadline from June to April
By Mustafa Juma, May 9, 2026Lawyer and political activist Willis Otieno has raised concerns over a proposal in the Finance Bill 2026 seeking to shift the annual tax return filing deadline from June to April.
Taking to his official X account on the night of Friday, May 8, 2026, the Safina deputy party leader questioned the government’s motive behind the proposed changes, arguing that Kenyans deserve a clear and transparent explanation.
“The Finance Bill 2026 proposes moving the filing of tax returns from June to April. This proposal demands immediate and transparent justification, not just a line in a bill,” Otieno stated.
He questioned whether the proposed adjustment was intended to serve taxpayers or merely help the government access revenue faster.
“Why the rush? Who truly benefits from this accelerated timeline, beyond the government’s perceived need for quicker cash?” he posed.
Concerns over public participation
Otieno’s remarks come amid growing scrutiny of proposed tax and fiscal measures expected under the Finance Bill 2026.
The lawyer suggested that significant changes affecting taxpayers should be subjected to wider public engagement and proper explanation before implementation.
Debate over tax policies
The proposal has already sparked discussion among taxpayers and financial experts, with some expressing concern that the shorter timeline could increase compliance pressure.
Others argue that the government may be seeking to improve the efficiency of revenue collection and to align tax administration timelines with broader fiscal planning.
Concerns over tax filing timelines
Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has echoed concerns from the many provisions of the Finance Bill, 2026, that could see Kenyans’ tax burden become significantly higher, financial inclusion further eroded, and the compliance burden on businesses heavy.
Taking it to her official X account on Friday, 8th May, 2026, Odhiambo noted that the Finance Bill, 2026, which was gazetted on April 30, 2026, and is currently before the parliament, is seeking to raise Ksh3.63 trillion in revenue in the 2026/27 financial year, with the budget deficit projected to widen to 5.3% of GDP from 4.7% in 2025/26.
The due date for filing nil returns has also been reduced to January 31, with Odhiambo arguing that this will give Kenyans less time to complete the audit, complete cash-flow planning, and meet compliance requirements.
“On tax filing timelines, the Bill moves the income tax return deadline to April 30th which is two months earlier than the current June 30th and compresses nil return filing to January 31st. This reduces the time available for audit completion, cash flow planning and compliance. For small businesses and individual traders, this is not administrative reform. It is an additional compliance cost they can ill afford,” she stated.
The issue comes at a time when taxation remains one of the most politically sensitive issues in Kenya, especially following recent debates over digital taxes, mobile money integration, and cost-of-living pressures.