• In a statement on its X page, KRA has acknowledged the high traffic on its systems and urged users to take advantage of the extension to complete their returns early.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has granted a 4 days extension for filing annual tax returns following a nationwide outcry over the malfunctioning iTax portal just before the June 30 deadline.

Taxpayers attempting to submit their returns reported frequent system crashes, login failures, and unresponsive OTP requests, describing the experience as chaotic and frustrating.

“I had cleared my schedule for the evening just to file my returns,” said Lydia Njoroge, a university student. “But for hours, I kept encountering system errors. It felt like the whole country was stuck on the same page.”

As complaints surged online, KRA responded by extending the deadline to July 5, 2025 providing taxpayers with additional time to comply without penalty. The authority also increased service hours at Huduma Centres and KRA support desks nationwide.

In a statement on its X page, KRA has acknowledged the high traffic on its systems and urged users to take advantage of the extension to complete their returns early.

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“Due to system issues on June 30, 2025, a waiver of penalties and interest has been granted. New deadline: 5th July 2025. File your returns at itax.kra.go.ke and pay due taxes by the new date to avoid penalties,” KRA stated.

Under Kenyan tax regulations, individuals who fail to file on time face fines of up to KSh 2,000 or 5% of the tax due, whichever is higher, along with a 1% monthly interest on any unpaid balances. This extension temporarily shields taxpayers from such penalties.

Despite the criticism, the extension was widely welcomed. Cyber cafés reported renewed queues on Monday morning, with users rushing to meet the new deadline.

For many Kenyans, the glitch served as a wake-up call to avoid last-minute filing.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” Lydia said. “Next time, I’m filing in May—not the day before.”

KRA is urging the public to act quickly, promising smoother operations while reminding everyone that this is a one-time reprieve.