NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Revenue Authority has rolled out a WhatsApp-based tax filing system, marking a shift from the traditional iTax platform to a chat-driven interface aimed at simplifying return submissions ahead of the April 30 deadline.
The revenue authority says the new tool is designed to reduce friction experienced on iTax, where taxpayers often navigate multiple pages, reset passwords, and manually input financial data before filing.
Under the new approach, users initiate the process directly on WhatsApp and follow guided prompts in a conversational format.
“We’ve said it before, but this time, it’s real. Filing your taxes just got easier,” KRA said in a statement announcing the rollout.
The system relies heavily on pre-filled returns. For salaried individuals, data such as employment income, tax deductions, and statutory contributions will already be populated. Taxpayers are expected to review and confirm the information rather than enter details manually.
KRA said the platform can also pull available data on additional income streams, including withholding taxes, reducing the complexity that often discourages compliance. Real-time assistance embedded in the chat is intended to address another long-standing challenge — the lack of immediate support during filing.
“Returns are now pre-filled where possible. The system is more guided and support and filing can now happen on WhatsApp,” the authority said.
The initiative targets younger taxpayers and those in the informal sector, groups considered more comfortable with mobile-first services. By embedding tax filing into a widely used messaging platform, KRA is effectively shifting compliance into a familiar digital environment.
Despite the new interface, core tax obligations remain unchanged. Filing requirements, deadlines, and compliance rules are still governed by existing regulations, with April 30 maintained as the deadline for 2025 income tax returns.
What changes is the user journey. Instead of navigating multiple forms, taxpayers move through a linear conversation, reducing the risk of incomplete submissions and data entry errors. The authority says the streamlined process should also cut the time required to file returns.
“Less time spent trying to figure things out, less stress around deadlines, more confidence and control over your filing,” KRA said.
Tax experts note that conversational interfaces have been used in other sectors to simplify complex services, but the effectiveness of the WhatsApp model will depend on reliability, data accuracy, and user trust.
The rollout forms part of KRA’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving compliance and expanding the tax base. The authority has increasingly shifted services to mobile-friendly platforms in a bid to reduce administrative barriers and boost voluntary filing.
“You don’t need to be an expert to file anymore, you just need to get started,” KRA said.
