KRA Rules Out Extension of 2026 Income Tax Filing Deadline as Millions Face Penalties
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has firmly ruled out extending the June 30 deadline for filing 2025 income tax returns, warning that taxpayers who fail to comply could face penalties and default tax assessments.
In a notice issued on Saturday, June 27, the tax authority dismissed speculation that it would grant additional time despite concerns raised by some taxpayers over intermittent technical challenges affecting access to the iTax system.
KRA maintained that the statutory deadline remains unchanged and urged all eligible taxpayers who have not yet filed their annual returns to do so before midnight on Tuesday, June 30.
“KRA wishes to remind taxpayers that there will be no extension of the filing deadline. All returns must be submitted on or before 30th June 2026, in accordance with the law,” the authority stated.
The announcement comes as millions of Kenyans race against time to meet the legal requirement of filing annual income tax returns, with many expected to wait until the final days before the deadline.
Defaulters Face Costly Consequences
KRA cautioned that taxpayers who fail to file their returns on time risk more than just financial penalties.
According to the authority, failure to comply could also result in default tax assessments, where KRA estimates an individual’s or company’s tax liability using the information already available in its records.
Such assessments may lead to taxpayers being required to pay taxes determined by the authority, even if they disagree with the estimated amount, unless they subsequently file accurate returns and seek a review.
The authority has consistently encouraged taxpayers to avoid last-minute filing to reduce congestion on the iTax platform and minimise delays caused by heavy traffic as the deadline approaches.
Taxpayers are therefore advised to file their returns well before the June 30 deadline to avoid penalties, enforcement action and unnecessary disputes with the tax authority.
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