Apply for a KRA tax refund
Kenya Revenue Authority · sources read 30 Sep 2026
Paid too much tax? File your return first, then apply for the refund on iTax under the Refunds menu and upload your supporting documents. KRA does not refund you automatically.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Individual income tax refunds are processed within 120 days of handing in all the required documents.
- Deadline
- Claim an income tax refund within 5 years of the date you paid the tax
- Where
- Online on the KRA iTax portal, under the Refunds menu
What you need
- P9 form from your employer
- Letter of appointment, contract or resignation
- Insurance certificate, if you are claiming insurance relief
- Mortgage interest certificate, if you are claiming mortgage relief
- For tax paid by mistake: your letter and proof of the payment
- Your filed tax returns
Steps
- File your annual return showing the overpayment. Filing alone does not get you the money, so go on to apply.
- Log in to iTax with your KRA PIN and password, open the Refunds menu and pick the tax (for example Income Tax or VAT).
- Confirm your details, enter your bank account, then choose the refund type, reason and amount. Upload your documents and submit.
- You get an acknowledgement number by email. Use it to track your claim on iTax under "Track status of Application".
Watch out
- Before you apply, check your iTax ledger to confirm your employer actually paid in all the PAYE taken from your salary.
- First-time claimants are audited before they are paid, so keep your documents ready.
- VAT refunds that need an audit can take up to 180 days after you submit all the documents.
Who can apply
- Anyone who paid more tax than they owed, or paid tax by mistake
- Income tax: for example your employer deducted too much PAYE
- Income tax: reliefs you did not get, like mortgage interest or insurance premium relief
- VAT: excess credits from zero-rated supplies or withholding VAT
Official sources (5)
- Tax Refunds (FAQs) kra.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- How do I apply for an income tax refund? (FAQ) kra.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- KRA Service Charter (April 2026) kra.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- Tax Refunds: Are Employees Claiming Their Dues? (KRA blog) kra.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026
- iTax portal itax.kra.go.ke · read 30 Sep 2026