KRA launches free tax training for women entrepreneurs and chamas across Kenya
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched a nationwide tax education drive targeting women entrepreneurs, chamas, self-help groups, fellowships and other women-led networks, in a move aimed at helping them understand their tax obligations and avoid costly compliance mistakes.
The taxman announced the initiative in a notice issued on August 3, inviting women in business and organised groups to register for free tax education sessions.
“We are inviting women in business, chamas, self-help groups, fellowships and other women networks to register for free Tax Education Sessions,” KRA stated.
The programme, dubbed “Empowering Women Through Tax Education,” forms part of KRA’s broader taxpayer education and outreach efforts.
According to the authority, the sessions are intended to provide women with practical knowledge about taxation, enabling them to make informed financial decisions while running and expanding their businesses.
KRA targets women-led groups
Women participating in chamas and other organised savings groups will be among those targeted by the programme.
Interested groups are required to provide basic information when registering, including the group’s email address, organisation name, type of group, location, telephone contact and the number of women in the group.
The initiative comes as KRA continues to push for greater voluntary tax compliance and easier access to tax information.
The authority says tax compliance involves registration, timely filing of returns, payment of tax liabilities and maintaining accurate records.
For businesses and organisations, understanding these obligations can be particularly important as the taxman increasingly relies on digital records and electronic tax information to validate declarations.
KRA has said that, from January 1, 2026, it began validating income and expenses declared in tax returns against information from sources including TIMS/eTIMS, withholding tax data and customs records.
What chamas need to know about tax
While many chamas are primarily formed to save money and support their members, the tax treatment of their activities depends on the nature of the income or transactions involved.
Groups involved in income-generating or commercial activities may therefore have tax obligations that members need to understand.
KRA’s wider guidance states that taxpayers must register according to the nature of their income and comply with applicable filing and payment requirements.
A crucial distinction is between members’ ordinary contributions and income generated from investments or commercial activities.
For example, a group’s savings contributions are not automatically the same thing as taxable business income. However, income generated through activities that fall within the scope of taxation may attract tax.
Groups with registered tax obligations are also expected to file the relevant returns. KRA’s guidance states that where a taxpayer has an Income Tax obligation but has no income to declare, a NIL return may still be required.
The authority’s taxpayer handbook similarly states that persons or entities with a tax PIN are required to file returns for the tax obligations registered under their PIN.
KRA warns businesses about compliance
The latest education campaign also comes as KRA increases its emphasis on accurate reporting and documentation.
Businesses are increasingly required to maintain proper records, while income and expenses may be checked against electronic tax invoices and other information available to the authority.
KRA says this validation process is designed to improve the accuracy of tax declarations and ensure that expenses claimed by taxpayers are supported by appropriate documentation.
For women operating small businesses, the training could therefore provide an opportunity to understand issues such as registration, tax returns, applicable taxes and record keeping before compliance problems arise.
What about non-profit organisations?
KRA’s tax guidance also makes clear that being a non-profit organisation does not automatically mean every form of income is exempt from tax.
The authority says income of NPOs may be exempt where it meets the relevant conditions, but profits or gains from businesses operated by an NPO are not automatically exempt.
KRA also states that donations received by NPOs to fund their activities do not qualify as taxable income. However, income generated through income-generating activities can be subject to tax unless the organisation has obtained the applicable exemption.
NPOs are required to obtain a KRA PIN and comply with applicable tax obligations.
Employees working for NPOs are also not automatically exempt from PAYE. KRA says PAYE must be deducted from applicable employee earnings and remitted by the ninth day of the following month.
Similarly, NPOs may have withholding tax obligations on specified payments, including certain professional, management, consultancy, training and agency fees. VAT treatment also depends on the particular supply and whether an applicable exemption exists.
Why the programme matters
For thousands of women running small enterprises and community savings groups, tax rules can sometimes appear complicated, particularly where informal savings activities evolve into businesses or investments.
KRA’s latest programme is intended to bridge that information gap by taking tax education directly to women-led groups.
The authority has increasingly expanded digital services to make compliance easier. Taxpayers can use KRA’s online platforms to register for PINs, file returns and access other tax services, while the KRA M-Service platform also supports services such as filing NIL returns and applying for tax compliance certificates.
For women entrepreneurs and chamas, the message from the taxman is increasingly clear: understanding tax obligations early could help prevent compliance problems later.
The free training therefore offers women-led groups an opportunity to get clarification directly from KRA before tax issues become more complicated — or more expensive.
Also Read: John Kaguchia Claims Armed Men Surrounded Royal Media Studios in Alleged Arrest Attempt