Kenya Revenue Authority has in the recent past made efforts to make tax payment easy by providing digital platforms. First, the Authority body rolled out online services in which tax payers easily processed services but to a certain limit.Today, KRA has taken its services to a different level by providing iTax, a web supported solution intended to deliver services to taxpayers efficiently and effectively on line, through a corporate web portal.
Four months ago, KRA rolled out a training programme meant to encouraging members of the public to learn and understand the new iTax Platform before the closure of the old system. At the time, the Authority aimed at registering 100,000 taxpayers.
Today the number of taxpayers using the system has risen to 1.3 million with a rate of 60,000 new registration per month. Through data from the new system, KRA is now than ever in a position to improve client service and promote voluntary compliance.
The intensive training is a key factor to the rapid growth of the system. Through the training, KRA has registered 1.3 million taxpayers on iTax, the company has also partnered with appointed licensed and trained intermediary agents who assist taxpayers register and file their returns through the iTax system. KRA has set up six iTax Support Centres and has presence in 16 Huduma Centres which also handle iTax related queries.
How it works for you
The platform provides a fully integrated automated solution for the administration of domestic taxes. Through the integrated tax management system, taxpayers can register, file their tax returns using Microsoft Excel or Open Office inquire of their tax status as well as monitor taxes in real time.
Taxpayers will have a cross validation of information with a future where taxpayers will be in a position to transact as long as they have access to internet services. Taxpayers will only need to log into iTax by going to the KRA website www.kra.go.ke on the website, you will see the iTax portal banner, click on it to access the iTax portal.
Security
Being well aware of technology smart individuals, KRA has also ensured security with several built in security features among them one which requires taxpayers to provide an e-mail address that is unique for every PIN registered. The threshold for the creation of a password has also been strengthened and the taxpayers are at liberty to determine the strength of their passwords.
A security question that authenticates the rightful user on issuance of a new password has also been introduced. The security stamp provided upon log in will prevent phishing programs that may attempt to hack into the taxpayers’ data, an effort that will ensure that personal and professional data of users is protected.
