The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out a new USSD service aimed at enhancing tax compliance, raising questions among taxpayers about how the system works and the key services it offers.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the system, the services it offers, and how they really work.
To access the service, you will be required to dial *222# and select option 5, " KRA services," which will then display the various tax services. You can also dial *222*5# to access the service faster.
The first option, PIN Registration, will guide you on how you can register your KRA PIN. Before the USSD code, Kenyans were required to have access to the internet to access this service through an online platform.
The second option is Turnover Tax, which applies to small and micro businesses and is levied on total monthly sales rather than profits. The current TOT rate stands at 1.5 per cent of gross sales, effective from March 22, 2024.
The third option is Monthly Rental Income (MRI) tax, which allows landlords to remit the 7.5 per cent levy imposed on their gross earnings from residential property rent.
Under option four, taxpayers can use the electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) to generate and transmit tax invoices in real time, while option five facilitates the remittance of other payments to the authority.
The USSD code will further help Kenyans access a tax compliance certificate, through option 6, which acts as proof that an individual has met their tax obligations as required by the law.
Business people can also use the Customs options to access the Customs Declaration Cert Checker, which is a tool used to verify the legitimacy of certificates and documents related to customs and taxation.
Other services offered through the new system include Pin Checker, Import Certificate Checker, Pin Retrieval, Staff Checker, and Tax Station Checker, which can be accessed through option nine.
While announcing the system on Wednesday, January 7, the authority asserted that the service is aimed at elevating efficiency while accessing KRA services, especially during the upcoming tax filing season.
The system is aimed at reducing the need for Kenyans to physically present themselves at KRA offices for the services, a barrier that has often undermined tax compliance.
"One of the most frequent concerns has been around digital access. We know that not every taxpayer has a smartphone, reliable internet, or even the digital expertise needed to use platforms like iTax or eTIMS," the authority stated.
"We hear you, and we are taking action. We are working to simplify our tools, provide offline support, and increase grassroots outreach, because no Kenyan should be left behind due to technology barriers," it added.
