How to get a KRA PIN: a step-by-step guide
Register on iTax in a few minutes if you have a Kenyan ID, or with extra documents if you are a foreigner or live abroad.
Quick answer
You apply for a KRA PIN online on the Kenya Revenue Authority's iTax portal (itax.kra.go.ke). If you have a Kenyan national ID, it usually takes a few minutes, and KRA's website lists no registration fee. Foreigners and some other applicants get an acknowledgement receipt first and must send extra documents before the PIN is issued.
At a glance
| What it is | Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), used for tax and many official transactions |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online on iTax: itax.kra.go.ke |
| Who needs one | Anyone who expects to earn income from Kenya, resident or non-resident |
| Cost | No fee is listed on KRA's registration pages |
| Time | Minutes for Kenyan residents with an ID; longer for non-residents, who must present documents first |
| After you register | File an income tax return every year by 30 June |
Your KRA PIN is the number the Kenya Revenue Authority uses to identify you as a taxpayer. You will be asked for it far beyond tax: to start a job, open some bank accounts, register a business, transfer land or a car, and apply for many government services on eCitizen. The good news is that you can get it yourself, online, without an agent.
Before you start: what you need
What you need depends on who you are. KRA publishes separate lists for each group.
Kenyan residents
- Your national ID details (or alien ID card details if you are a foreign resident).
- If you are employed: your employer's KRA PIN.
- If you run a business: your business registration certificate details.
- An email address you can open. The PIN certificate and iTax messages go there.
Foreigners working in Kenya
- A valid passport and a copy.
- A work permit that shows your employer's name.
- An introduction letter from your employer, and your employer's KRA PIN.
- The acknowledgement receipt you get when you submit the iTax form.
Foreign investors who live outside Kenya
- A passport copy certified by a notary public in your home country.
- An introduction letter from a Kenyan tax agent, plus the agent's PIN and valid tax compliance certificate.
- Evidence of the investment, such as a certificate of incorporation. KRA also asks for a Kenya Investment Authority endorsement where the investment is above $100,000.
KRA also lists requirements for students, dependants of foreign workers, refugees, diplomats, missionaries, people buying or inheriting property, and people coming for medical treatment. If you fit one of these, check the official requirements page before you apply.
Step by step
Gather your details
Have your national ID number, date of birth, a working email address and a phone number ready. If you are employed, you also need your employer's KRA PIN. If you run a business, you need its registration certificate details.
Open the iTax registration form
Go to itax.kra.go.ke and choose New PIN Registration. Select Individual as the taxpayer type and Online Form as the mode of registration.
Fill in Section A: basic information
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID. iTax checks residents' details against government records, so a mismatch in spelling or date of birth can stop the form.
Fill in Section B: tax obligations
Choose the taxes that apply to you. Most employees and first-time applicants only need Income Tax – Resident Individual. Add others, such as VAT, only if they really apply, because each obligation you add means another return to file.
Fill in Section C: source of income
Say where your income comes from. Employees enter their employer's PIN. People in business enter their business registration details.
Submit and keep your acknowledgement receipt
Submit the form. iTax gives you an acknowledgement receipt with a reference number. Kenyan residents usually receive the PIN certificate by email once it is approved. Non-residents must present the receipt and their documents to KRA to finish registration.
Log in and set up your account
Log in to iTax with your new PIN and set your password. Save your PIN certificate as a PDF, because banks, employers and government offices will ask for it.
How long it takes
| Who | Typical | When it takes longer |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyan resident with an ID | Minutes; the certificate arrives by email once approved | Your name or date of birth does not match government records |
| Foreign employee | After KRA checks your documents | Your work permit is missing or does not show the employer |
| Non-resident investor | After KRA checks your documents | Your notarised passport copy or agent's documents are incomplete |
What happens after you get your PIN
Getting a PIN also creates obligations. KRA says every PIN holder must file and pay through iTax by the due dates:
| Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Income tax (annual return) | 30 June, for the previous January–December year |
| PAYE (employers) | 9th of the following month |
| VAT | 20th of the following month |
| Residential rental income tax | 20th of the following month |
Most employees only have the annual income tax return. Your employer deducts PAYE and sends you a P9 form, which you use to fill in the return on iTax.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Adding obligations you do not have. If you tick VAT or rental income "just in case", iTax will expect those returns every month. Only choose what applies to you.
- Using an email address you will lose. Your PIN certificate and password resets go to that address. Use a personal email, not a work or cyber café account.
- Typing your name differently from your ID. The details must match government records, or the form will not go through.
- Paying someone for something you can do yourself. The iTax form is free to use. If you use a cyber café, sign in yourself and do not leave your password with anyone.
- Forgetting to file. A PIN with no returns falls behind, even if you earn nothing. File a nil return by 30 June each year if you had no income.
If you are abroad
You do not need to travel to Kenya. Kenyans abroad can register on iTax the same way as residents. KRA says you need a PIN if you expect any income from Kenya, for example rent from a house, dividends or a business. If you get stuck, KRA encourages Kenyans in the diaspora to visit a Kenyan embassy or high commission for help with PIN and filing questions.
Official links
- KRA iTax portal: register, log in and file returns.
- KRA: how to register for a PIN (individuals)
- KRA: requirements for each type of applicant
- KRA: PIN and tax obligations for Kenyans abroad
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to get a KRA PIN?
KRA's registration pages do not list any fee. You apply yourself on iTax. Cyber cafés and agents may charge for their time, but you do not need them.
I live abroad. Can I still get a KRA PIN?
Yes. KRA says you need a PIN if you expect any income from Kenya, whether or not you live in the country. You can apply online, and KRA encourages Kenyans in the diaspora to visit a Kenyan mission abroad for help.
I have no income. Do I still need to file a return?
Every PIN holder must file an annual income tax return on iTax by 30 June for the previous year. If you had no income, you file a nil return. Not filing can lead to penalties.
I am a foreigner working in Kenya. What do I need?
KRA asks for your passport, a work permit showing your employer, an introduction letter from your employer and your employer's KRA PIN, along with the iTax acknowledgement receipt.
Can a company use my personal PIN?
No. A company or other business entity registers for its own PIN as a non-individual taxpayer on iTax.
Sources
Fees and rules change. We last checked these facts on 30 September 2026. Always confirm with the official office before you pay. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.