Mid-Year Tax Health Check: 7 Things Kenyan SMEs Must Review Before December 2026
June and July are critical months for Kenyan businesses. With half the year gone, many SME owners are taking stock – reviewing sales, expenses and cash flow. But few remember to do a proper mid-year tax health check. Skipping this step can be expensive. With shorter filing deadlines, automated validations and active amnesty windows in […]
eTIMS Integration Challenges: Why Many Kenyan SMEs Are Still Struggling in 2026
eTIMS was meant to simplify tax compliance. Instead, for thousands of SMEs, it has become one of the biggest operational headaches of the year. From high setup costs and frequent system downtime to suppliers who cannot issue compliant invoices, the challenges are real and widespread. Many business owners describe the integration process as frustrating, expensive […]
What to Do After Filing Your 2025 Tax Returns: A Practical H2 2026 Checklist for Kenyan Businesses
You’ve finally clicked “Submit” on your 2025 tax returns. The acknowledgement receipt is downloaded. For a moment, you feel relieved. But experienced business owners know that filing is not the end – it’s often the beginning of the next phase. Between July and December 2026 (H2), several important things can happen: KRA assessments, audits, objections, […]
How to File Corporate and Individual Income Tax Returns in Kenya (2026 Guide)
Filing tax returns in Kenya is now fully online through the iTax portal. Whether you run a limited company or file as an individual, the process is straightforward but requires attention to detail, especially with the new shorter deadlines introduced in the Finance Bill 2026. Below are clear, updated steps for both Corporate Income Tax […]
Tax Amnesty Extended But Narrowed – What It Means for Kenyan Businesses
The Finance Bill 2026 brings mixed news on tax amnesty. While the deadline has been extended, the overall relief has been tightened. Key Changes This means the window to regularise old taxes is longer, but the available benefits are smaller than many businesses expected. Quantitative Impact Item Previous Amnesty Finance Bill 2026 Position Change for […]
New Withholding Tax on Scrap Metal and Gambling Winnings: How Finance Bill 2026 Is Affecting Jua Kali and Everyday Kenyans
If you’ve spent any time in Nairobi’s industrial areas or busy markets lately, you’ve probably noticed something changing. A scrap metal dealer in Industrial Area, who used to sell old iron sheets and car parts with little paperwork, now finds himself facing new deductions. Meanwhile, a young man who occasionally tries his luck on sports […]
Informal Economy vs Formal Tax Systems: Why KRA’s Digital Push Is Challenging Kenyan SMEs in 2026
Kenya’s economy has a deep structural divide: a large, vibrant informal sector that employs the majority of citizens, versus a formal tax system that is rapidly becoming highly digital and sophisticated. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is aggressively rolling out tools like eTIMS, automated income and expense validation, real-time invoice tracking and stricter compliance requirements. […]
Expanded Royalty Definition – Why Your Payment Network Fees Just Became Much More Expensive
As a CFO or Finance Director, you’ve likely seen the headlines and felt the quiet concern in your boardroom. The Finance Bill 2026 has significantly expanded the definition of “royalty” under the Income Tax Act. What used to be treated as routine service or transaction fees for using global payment infrastructure is now officially classified […]
Tax Amnesty: Real Benefits Kenyan Businesses Can Actually Use
If you’re a business owner in Kenya right now, you’ve probably heard whispers about the Tax Amnesty in the Finance Bill 2026. For many, it feels like a rare window of opportunity – a chance to clean up old tax issues without the usual heavy penalties. But what does it actually mean on the ground? […]
Finance Bill 2026: Is the Government Raising Revenue at the Expense of Ordinary Kenyans?
You can feel the tension in the air these days. Whether you’re sipping tea at a roadside kiosk in Buruburu, loading stock at Gikomba market, or sitting in a small office in Upper Hill, one topic keeps coming up: the Finance Bill 2026. The government is trying to raise more domestic revenue – that much […]