The Kenya Revenue Authority KRA has announced a waiver of penalties and interest on late filing of income tax returns for the year ending December 31, 2024, following system glitch experienced on June 30, 2025.

In a public notice, KRA said the large number of taxpayers who turned out to file their returns, overwhelmed it’s online filing system, leading to technical issues that hindered timely submissions.

To address the challenge, KRA invoked Section 89 (5A)(b) of the Tax Procedures Act and confirmed that taxpayers who file their returns by July 5, 2025, will not face any penalties or interest for late submission.

KRA is urging Kenyans to take advantage of the extension and ensure all returns and due taxes are filed and paid before the new deadline.

Consequently, Kenyans seeking assistance at the KRA contact centre will access services between 7am and 8pm on Tuesday July 1.

In addition, tax offices at service centres across the country will remain open for an extended 12-hour period, from 8am to 8pm, to facilitate last-minute filing.

According to the KRA, filing annual tax returns is a mandatory legal obligation for all eligible taxpayers, not just salaried employees. 

For instance,  business owners, landlords, farmers, and even individuals with no income during the year should file tax returns. Those with no income are required to file a NIL return.

KRA emphasised that filing must be done even after a person’s employer has already deducted and remitted Pay As You Earn (PAYE). 

Failure to meet the filing deadline attracts penalties.

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