Filing taxes in Kenya is mandatory, yet thousands of taxpayers face one frustrating issue every year: iTax rejects your return. Whether you’re an employee, business owner, or freelancer, dealing with rejection errors can feel overwhelming. The main problem? Small mistakes that slip in during filing.
In this article, we’ll break down the 10 most common reasons why iTax rejects your return and how to fix each one step-by-step, helping you avoid penalties and file smoothly. This guide is crafted specifically for the Kenya market, ensuring you get accurate and actionable information.
iTax is the official online system provided by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to help taxpayers register, file, and pay taxes. The system checks every return for accuracy, data matching, and completeness. If anything doesn’t align with KRA records, the system automatically rejects your submission.
Accurate filing isn’t just a legal requirement—it protects you from penalties, interests, and audits. When iTax rejects your return, your filing is considered incomplete, meaning you may be charged for late submission if you don’t correct it early enough.
This is the most common reason why iTax rejects your return. Many taxpayers select the wrong category, especially between:
Employment income
Business income
Rental income
Nil return
If your KRA PIN obligation includes employment or business income, filing a Nil return automatically triggers rejection.
Log in to your iTax portal.
Click Returns → File Return.
Select the correct return type based on your tax obligation.
Confirm that the obligation matches your PIN registration details.
Re-file the return.
If the PIN you enter doesn’t match KRA records, iTax rejects your return instantly. This usually happens when taxpayers:
Mistype their PIN
Use another person’s PIN
Use an inactive PIN
Check your PIN on your email certificate.
Verify your PIN on the KRA PIN checker.
Update outdated details through “Registration → Amend PIN”.
If your employer hasn’t uploaded your P9 form or submitted PAYE returns, iTax cannot authenticate your income details.
Request your HR or employer to file and upload your PAYE correctly.
Ensure the P9 is updated for the correct year.
Re-file once employer data appears on iTax.
If you file for 2022 instead of 2023, your return will be rejected. iTax validates returns by checking:
Year
Filing period
Tax obligation
Confirm the year you are filing for.
Select “Return Period From” and “Return Period To” correctly.
If the income you enter doesn’t match what your employer submitted, iTax recognizes a discrepancy and rejects the return.
Compare your P9 form to the employer-uploaded details.
Ensure gross pay, benefits, allowances, and PAYE match exactly.
Some taxpayers skip mandatory fields, such as:
Basic salary
Tax deductions
PAYE
Employment details
iTax marks incomplete returns as invalid.
Fill all fields marked with an asterisk.
Double-check income and deduction sections before uploading.
iTax only accepts specific formats, like .zip, .xlsx, and certain PDF types. Unsupported files cause failed uploads.
Always generate the correct upload file using the official KRA Excel sheet.
Zip the file without renaming required metadata files.
Another major reason why iTax rejects your return is claiming deductions without attaching proper supporting documents. Many taxpayers try to claim reliefs and deductions such as:
Insurance relief
Mortgage interest
NSSF contributions
SHA/SHIF contributions (formerly NHIF)
Withholding tax credits
However, if you claim any of these without evidence, iTax may automatically invalidate the return because the system must verify every relief through documentation.
Sometimes the problem isn’t you—it’s iTax. During peak filing dates, the system becomes slow or rejects returns due to traffic.
File early in the morning or late at night.
Clear your browser cache.
Try another browser (Chrome works best).
If your supplier or employer hasn’t uploaded the withholding certificate, your credit won’t reflect and iTax rejects your claim.
Request the withholding agent to upload the certificate.
Claim only credits visible on your iTax ledger.
To ensure your tax returns are accepted smoothly every time, here’s a simple checklist to follow:
Use the correct return type based on your tax obligations.
Update your KRA PIN details to match your current employment and business status.
Confirm that your employer has uploaded an accurate P9 form and filed PAYE correctly.
Select the correct filing year before submitting your return.
Ensure your income figures match exactly with what your employer or withholding agent submitted.
Attach all required supporting documents, including proofs for reliefs, deductions, and contributions.
By following these steps carefully, you significantly reduce the chances of iTax rejecting your return and enjoy a smooth, stress-free filing experience.
Because of missing or incorrect information, wrong file format, or unmatched employer data.
No. iTax will automatically reject it because your PIN shows an employment obligation.
Ask them to update PAYE and upload the correct P9. You cannot bypass this.
Probably due to wrong structure. Regenerate it using the official KRA Excel sheet.
Yes. Go to “File Amended Return” once the issue is corrected.
Don’t let iTax errors slow you down or put you at risk of penalties. If you want your tax return filed correctly, professionally, and fully compliant with KRA requirements, our team of licensed tax experts is ready to assist you. We help individuals, employees, freelancers, and businesses correct rejected returns, reconcile PAYE issues, and submit accurate returns on time—stress-free.
👉 Click here to get help with your KRA filing today and avoid costly mistakes.