KRA to Temporarily Shut Down iTax for Scheduled System Upgrade — Users Advised to Act Early

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a temporary disruption to its iTax platform to allow for scheduled maintenance aimed at improving system performance and reliability.

In a notice released on Friday evening, the tax agency said the upgrade exercise will begin on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM and conclude on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 12:00 AM — a total of four hours of downtime.

“Please be advised that there will be a scheduled maintenance of iTax from Saturday, 25th October 2025, 8:00 PM to Sunday, 26th October 2025, 12:00 AM,” the notice read in part.

During this window, all users will be unable to access the iTax system, including key services such as filing returns, generating payment slips, updating profiles, and applying for tax compliance certificates.

KRA apologized for any inconvenience the interruption may cause, emphasizing that the temporary suspension is part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and secure its digital infrastructure.

“The exercise is necessary to ensure the platform remains stable, efficient, and user-friendly for millions of taxpayers,” the authority said.

Taxpayers have been urged to complete urgent transactions before 8:00 PM on Saturday to avoid disruption during the maintenance period.

Background: iTax’s Role in Kenya’s Digital Tax Drive

Since its launch in 2014, the iTax platform has become the backbone of Kenya’s digital tax administration, allowing individuals and businesses to register, file, and pay taxes online without visiting physical offices.

The system integrates multiple tax categories, including Income Tax, PAYE, VAT, Excise Duty, and Withholding Tax, streamlining the compliance process into a single digital platform.

Through iTax, taxpayers can also update personal details, access compliance history, generate payment slips, and remit taxes directly through links with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and commercial banks.

The platform forms part of KRA’s wider digital transformation agenda, which aims to boost efficiency, enhance transparency, and strengthen domestic revenue collection in line with the Public Finance Management framework.

Today, nearly every taxpayer in Kenya interacts with iTax at least once a year, particularly during the annual return-filing period — a reflection of its central role in the country’s tax ecosystem.