KRA Launches Free Training on Finance Act 2026 and New iTax Rules
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has stepped up efforts to help taxpayers understand Kenya’s latest tax changes by offering free virtual training on the Finance Act 2026 and new features introduced on the iTax platform.
The training is aimed at individuals, businesses and other taxpayers who need to understand how the new tax rules affect their obligations and how to use the updated digital tax system.
KRA announced that the virtual sessions would be held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with taxpayers given two opportunities to participate. The first session was scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., while the second was scheduled from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The initiative comes shortly after the Finance Act 2026 came into force, creating a need for taxpayers to familiarise themselves with changes affecting tax administration and compliance.
Why KRA is training taxpayers
The Finance Act 2026 introduced changes to several areas of Kenya’s tax system.
For many taxpayers, the biggest challenge is not necessarily understanding the existence of a new law but knowing how the changes affect everyday compliance.
KRA’s training is therefore intended to bridge the gap between legislation and practical implementation.
The authority said the sessions would help taxpayers understand the latest changes and the new iTax functionalities, with the broader goal of supporting smoother compliance.
This is particularly important because iTax has become the main digital platform through which many Kenyans interact with KRA.
New iTax features take centre stage
One of the major areas covered by the training is the updated iTax platform.
KRA has increasingly moved tax administration online, allowing taxpayers to register, file returns, make payments and manage various tax obligations digitally.
The latest changes mean taxpayers need to understand not only the tax rules but also how the updated system processes their information.
KRA’s existing guidance shows that employment information can already be pre-populated on iTax for taxpayers filing employment-related returns.
The expansion of automated and pre-populated information means taxpayers will need to become more familiar with checking information supplied through the platform before submitting their returns.
Finance Act 2026 changed the tax landscape
The Finance Act 2026 was enacted after Parliament considered and amended the Finance Bill presented earlier in the year.
The legislation introduced amendments covering areas including income tax, VAT, excise duty and tax administration.
Professional tax analysis of the enacted law also identifies changes affecting withholding tax, VAT treatment, tax deductions and other compliance requirements.
This makes taxpayer education particularly important because the final law does not necessarily match every proposal that appeared in the original Finance Bill.
Some measures were changed or dropped during the legislative process.
Taxpayers must understand the final law
The difference between the Finance Bill and the Finance Act is important.
A Finance Bill is a proposal that can be changed during parliamentary debate. Once the President assents to the legislation and it is gazetted, the resulting Finance Act becomes law.
Consequently, taxpayers should rely on the final provisions rather than earlier reports about proposed taxes.
KRA’s training provides an opportunity for taxpayers to hear directly about how the enacted changes are being implemented.
Tax amnesty is another important issue
One of the major provisions associated with the Finance Act 2026 is the return of a tax amnesty programme.
KRA says the 2026 Tax Amnesty Programme waives 100 percent of qualifying penalties, interest and fines on tax debts accrued up to December 31, 2025, subject to settlement of the principal tax where principal tax is outstanding.
The amnesty opened on July 1, 2026 and is scheduled to close on December 31, 2026.
This gives eligible taxpayers a limited period to resolve qualifying historical tax obligations.
Who could benefit from the amnesty?
The programme could be particularly useful to taxpayers who have outstanding historical tax debts that have accumulated significant penalties and interest.
For example, a taxpayer who owes an old principal tax amount and has accumulated additional penalties could potentially have the qualifying penalties and interest waived after settling the principal tax under the programme’s conditions.
KRA’s guidance makes clear that the amnesty does not simply erase the principal tax debt.
Taxpayers should therefore check their records and determine exactly what they owe before taking action.
KRA’s digital approach is becoming more important
The training also demonstrates how tax administration in Kenya is becoming increasingly digital.
Instead of depending entirely on physical offices, KRA can use online platforms to educate large numbers of taxpayers across the country.
This is particularly useful for people living outside Nairobi and other major urban centres.
A virtual training programme can reach taxpayers in counties where accessing KRA offices may require considerable time and travel.
KRA also offers free iTax training more generally, according to its taxpayer-support information.
Taxpayers should verify information before filing
As more information becomes automatically available on iTax, taxpayers may be tempted to assume that the figures appearing on the platform are automatically correct.
That can be risky.
Taxpayers should review pre-populated information, compare it with their own records and correct any discrepancies before submitting returns.
KRA’s current return-filing guidance already encourages taxpayers to verify information such as employment income and withholding-tax details when completing their returns.
The move toward automated returns makes this verification process even more important.
Businesses face additional compliance responsibilities
The Finance Act 2026 is particularly significant for businesses.
Companies may need to review their accounting systems, invoices, payroll processes, withholding-tax calculations and VAT treatment to determine whether the new rules affect their operations.
Businesses that fail to update their systems could potentially submit incorrect information or miss new compliance requirements.
The KRA training therefore provides an opportunity for business owners, accountants and finance teams to understand how the new rules should be applied.
Small businesses should pay attention
Small and medium-sized enterprises are also likely to benefit from the training.
Many smaller businesses do not have dedicated tax departments and may rely on business owners or external accountants to handle tax matters.
Changes to iTax can therefore have a direct effect on how these businesses file returns and manage their tax obligations.
Understanding the new system can help reduce errors and avoid unnecessary compliance problems.
The training comes after tax filing challenges
KRA’s latest taxpayer education drive also comes after difficulties experienced by some taxpayers during the previous annual return-filing period.
KRA’s official guidance states that the filing window for 2025 income tax returns ran from January 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026.
Reports also emerged of taxpayers experiencing difficulties accessing the system around the deadline.
These experiences have increased attention on the reliability and usability of iTax.
Training taxpayers to use the system correctly could help reduce mistakes, although the performance of the platform itself remains equally important.
Tax amnesty implementation has faced questions
The rollout of the tax amnesty has also demonstrated why clear communication about new tax measures is important.
Earlier in July, KRA acknowledged that the amnesty functionality had not immediately appeared on iTax, leaving some taxpayers uncertain about how to proceed. The authority said further guidance would be issued on implementation.
The development highlighted the practical challenges that can arise when new legislation requires changes to digital government systems.
For taxpayers, having clear instructions before attempting to use a new feature can prevent confusion.
What Kenyans should learn from the training
Taxpayers do not need to become tax experts to benefit from the new system.
However, they should understand several basic issues.
First, they should know which tax obligations apply to them.
Second, they should understand the deadlines for filing and payment.
Third, they should know how to access and verify information on iTax.
Finally, taxpayers should understand what to do when information on their account appears incorrect.
These basic steps can make tax compliance significantly easier.
KRA wants compliance to become easier
The purpose of taxpayer education is not simply to tell Kenyans what they owe.
KRA also wants taxpayers to understand the systems through which they can meet their obligations.
Digital tax administration can reduce paperwork and eliminate some of the need for physical visits to tax offices.
But these benefits can only be achieved if taxpayers understand how the platforms work.
The virtual training therefore represents part of a broader transition toward more technology-driven tax administration.
READ: Finance Act 2026 Takes Effect: What It Means for Kenyan Taxpayers and Businesses
What taxpayers should do after the training
Kenyans who want to take advantage of the information provided by KRA should consider reviewing their tax records after familiarising themselves with the new rules.
They can check their iTax accounts, confirm their registration details and review any outstanding tax obligations.
Taxpayers with old debts should also determine whether they qualify for the 2026 Tax Amnesty Programme before the December deadline.
Businesses, meanwhile, should review their internal tax procedures and determine whether changes are required.
Where a taxpayer has a complicated tax issue, professional tax advice may be appropriate.
A more digitally driven tax system
KRA’s decision to provide free virtual training shows the increasing importance of digital platforms in Kenya’s tax system.
The Finance Act 2026 introduces new rules, but taxpayers also need to understand how those rules are being translated into practical procedures through iTax.
The authority’s approach combines legislation, technology and taxpayer education.
For Kenyans, this means tax compliance is becoming increasingly dependent on staying informed and regularly checking digital tax accounts.
The new KRA training comes at an important time for Kenyan taxpayers.
With the Finance Act 2026 now in force and new iTax functionalities being introduced, taxpayers need to understand what has changed and how those changes affect their obligations.
The availability of free virtual training gives individuals and businesses an opportunity to learn directly from the tax authority rather than relying solely on informal explanations circulating online.
The bigger message is that understanding Kenya’s new tax rules is becoming just as important as paying the taxes themselves.
As KRA continues digitising tax administration, taxpayers who regularly monitor their iTax accounts, keep accurate records and stay informed about legislative changes will be better positioned to comply with the law and avoid unnecessary penalties.
