How to Apply for KRA PIN in Kenya

If you’re planning to engage in financial, tax, or business transactions, you must apply for KRA PIN in Kenya. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) assigns this unique identifier to both individuals and entities to enable tax filing, property dealings, employment registrations, and business transactions. This 2025 guide walks you through how to obtain your KRA PIN online via the iTax platform.

Table of Contents

📌 Why You Need a KRA PIN

You are required to apply for KRA PIN in Kenya to complete a wide range of official transactions:

Required For	Purpose
Filing tax returns	PAYE, VAT, income & corporate tax
Opening a bank account	Most banks require it for account setup
Land and property transactions	Buying, selling, leasing
Applying for government tenders or jobs	A key eligibility document
Motor vehicle registration & transfers	Required by NTSA
Employment registration	Required by employers, especially in public jobs
Business licensing and tax registration	Necessary for sole traders and companies
Accessing loans or mortgages	A prerequisite for most financial institutions

🇰🇪 How to Apply for KRA PIN in Kenya (For Citizens)

✅ Step 1: Visit the KRA iTax Portal

Open your browser and go to https://itax.kra.go.ke
Click “New PIN Registration” to start the application.

✅ Step 2: Select Your Application Type

Choose:

Individual if applying for personal use (e.g., employment)
Non-Individual for companies or partnerships

✅ Step 3: Enter Your Personal Details

Fill in:

ID Number (must match the name on the ID)
Date of Birth
Active Email Address
Phone Number (used for account confirmation and alerts)

✅ Step 4: Fill in Tax Obligation Details

Under the tax obligation section, select:

Tax Type	When to Select
Income Tax – Resident Individual	For personal/employment use
VAT	If you supply VAT-taxable goods or services
Turnover Tax (TOT)	For businesses with under KES 5M annual turnover

🔍 Tip: If you’re applying only for employment use, select “Income Tax – Resident Individual” and leave others unchecked.

✅ Step 5: Submit & Receive Your KRA PIN

After filling all sections, click Submit
You’ll receive your KRA PIN Certificate instantly via email
You can also download it directly from your iTax account

🌍 How to Apply for KRA PIN in Kenya (For Foreigners)

Foreign applicants must follow one of two routes based on their residency status.

✳️ Option 1: Foreigners With a Work Permit (Resident)

Follow the same online steps as Kenyan citizens, but:

Use your Alien ID Number
Have a valid work permit

The system verifies your status and issues a PIN via email.

✳️ Option 2: Foreigners Without a Work Permit (Non-Resident)

This must be done manually at a KRA office.

Required Documents:

Valid passport (copy)
Letter from a Kenyan sponsor/employer
Business registration certificate (if applicable)

Visit the nearest KRA office for biometric verification and manual processing. Once approved, your PIN will be issued.

📄 Summary Table: KRA PIN Application Paths

Category	Process Type	Key Requirements
Kenyan Citizens	Online (iTax)	National ID, KRA PIN request, email, phone
Foreigners w/ Permit	Online (iTax)	Alien ID, Work Permit, email
Foreigners w/o Permit	Manual (KRA Office)	Passport, Sponsor Letter, Business Documents

✅ Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a Kenyan citizen or a foreign national, it’s now easy to apply for KRA PIN in Kenya using the KRA iTax portal. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes for online users, while foreigners without work permits must visit the KRA offices. Having a KRA PIN is essential for financial, business, and legal transactions—so ensure you’re compliant by registering today.