Updated for 2026

KRA Tax Calendar 2026

Every PAYE, NSSF, SHIF, Housing Levy, and iTax filing deadline for Kenyan employers and employees. Missing a deadline can trigger penalties of 5% + 1% per month.

Monthly Recurring Deadlines (Every Month)

9of month

PAYE Remittance

Employer

Employers must remit all PAYE deducted from employee salaries for the previous month via KRA iTax. File P10 return and pay.

Late penalty: 5% of unpaid tax + 1% per month interest
9of month

SHIF Contribution

Employer

Social Health Insurance Fund contributions (2.75% employee share + employer match) remitted to SHA via payroll integration.

Late penalty: 2% monthly on outstanding balance
9of month

Housing Levy

Employer

Affordable Housing Levy — 1.5% employee + 1.5% employer of gross salary — remitted to KRA alongside PAYE.

Late penalty: 5% + 1% per month
15of month

NSSF Remittance

Employer

NSSF contributions (employee 6% + employer 6%, capped at KES 72,000 pensionable pay) remitted to NSSF portal or M-Pesa Paybill 333300.

Late penalty: 5% initial + 1% monthly interest

2026 Monthly Remittance Calendar

January 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingJan 9
NSSFJan 15
⚡ P9 forms due Jan 31

February 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingFeb 9
NSSFFeb 15
⚡ NSSF annual return Feb 28

March 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingMar 9
NSSFMar 15

April 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingApr 9
NSSFApr 15

May 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingMay 9
NSSFMay 15

June 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingJun 9
NSSFJun 15
🔴 iTax return Jun 30

July 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingJul 9
NSSFJul 15

August 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingAug 9
NSSFAug 15

September 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingSep 9
NSSFSep 15

October 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingOct 9
NSSFOct 15

November 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingNov 9
NSSFNov 15

December 2026

PAYE + SHIF + HousingDec 9
NSSFDec 15

Annual Key Dates 2026

January 31

P9 Forms Due to Employees

Employer

Employers must issue P9 tax deduction certificates to all employees by January 31 for the previous tax year. Failure is a violation of the Income Tax Act.

February 28

NSSF Annual Return

Employer

Annual NSSF return submission for the previous year. Employers with 5+ employees must submit audited contribution schedules.

March 31

Employer Annual Return (IT2C)

Employer

Annual return of income for employers showing aggregate PAYE collected. Filed via iTax portal.

April 30

Instalment Tax (1st Quarter)

Both

First instalment tax payment for individuals and companies with business income outside PAYE. 25% of estimated annual tax liability.

June 30

Individual Income Tax Return

Employee⭐ Key deadline

Annual iTax income tax return deadline for all resident individuals. Salaried employees with only PAYE income may qualify for a simplified return using just their KRA PIN and national ID.

June 30

Capital Gains Tax (2nd Quarter)

Both

Second instalment tax payment (50% cumulative). Also the deadline for capital gains tax on property disposals.

September 30

Instalment Tax (3rd Quarter)

Both

Third instalment tax payment (75% cumulative of estimated annual liability).

November 30

PAYE Annual Reconciliation

Employer

Employers must reconcile total PAYE remitted against the sum of all P9 certificates issued. Discrepancies must be resolved before year-end.

December 20

Final Instalment Tax

Both

Fourth and final instalment tax payment (100% of estimated annual liability). No penalties for minor underpayments if within threshold.

June 30 — The Most Important Date for Employees

Every Kenyan with a KRA PIN must file an income tax return by June 30 each year. In 2026, salaried employees can file in minutes — the iTax system now pulls payroll data automatically from employer submissions. You will need your KRA PIN and national ID.

Nil return

If you earned below the tax threshold — file a nil return to avoid penalties

PAYE only

Salaried employees can use simplified pre-filled return from 2026

Other income

Business income, rental, or dividends require a full self-assessment return

Late Filing Penalties Quick Reference

ObligationPenaltyInterest
Late PAYE Filing5% of the tax due, minimum KES 10,0001% per month on outstanding
Failure to File ReturnKES 20,000 per return for individuals; KES 50,000 for companies1% per month
Late NSSF Payment5% of contribution due1% per month compound
Late SHIF Payment2% of outstanding amount per monthCompounded monthly
False P9 InformationCriminal prosecution under Income Tax Act Cap 470N/A
Late Housing Levy5% + 1% per monthKRA discretionary waiver available

KRA may issue penalty waivers on application for first-time offenders in genuine hardship cases. Contact KRA on 0800 722 226 (toll-free).

Ready to file?

Use our calculators to prepare your figures before logging into iTax.

Related Tools & Guides

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