How to File KRA Nil Returns on eCitizen in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide as Kenyans Abandon iTax
With the June 30, 2025 deadline looming, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has rolled out a major update: Kenyans can now file their nil tax returns on the eCitizen portal. This move, announced in June, signals a national shift toward easier, centralized, and mobile-friendly tax compliance.
KRA’s decision to integrate tax services into the eCitizen portal comes as part of a broader strategy to modernize tax administration and improve user experience. The change specifically targets nil return filers—individuals who earned no income during the 2024 tax year.
What is a Nil Return?
A nil return is a tax declaration submitted by individuals with a valid KRA PIN but no taxable income in the relevant year. Common groups required to file nil returns include:
- Students
- Unemployed individuals
- People who lost jobs during the year
- Small traders with no earnings
Failure to file attracts a KSh 2,000 penalty, even if no income was earned.
Why the Shift to eCitizen Matters
Previously, all tax returns—including nil—had to be filed through KRA’s iTax portal. But this system has long been plagued by:
- Frequent downtimes, especially near deadlines
- Poor mobile optimization
- Complex interfaces that discouraged filing
Now, eCitizen—a platform already used for services like NTSA, passports, and birth certificates—hosts a streamlined KRA section specifically for filing nil returns.
According to KRA, the eCitizen system is secure, and all tax records are updated in real-time upon submission.
How to File Nil Returns on eCitizen – Step-by-Step
Filing on eCitizen takes less than five minutes. Here’s how:
Option 1: eCitizen Portal
- Go to eCitizen.go.ke
- Log in with your ID number and password
- Navigate to KRA Services
- Click on File Returns → File Nil Returns
- Select Obligation: Income Tax – Resident Individual
- The return period will auto-fill (e.g., 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2024)
- Confirm all details (PIN, ID info, etc.)
- Click Submit
- Receive an on-screen confirmation
Option 2: Direct Link to KRA eCitizen
- Visit ecitizen.kra.go.ke
- Log in using your KRA PIN
- Follow the same steps to file a nil return
Still Using iTax? Here’s How:
If preferred, you can still file your nil returns via iTax:
- Visit itax.kra.go.ke
- Log in with your KRA PIN
- Navigate to Returns > File Nil Return
- Select the correct obligation and year
- Submit and download the acknowledgment
KRA’s Assurance: Security & Accessibility
In a public statement, KRA said:
“You can now file NIL returns on eCitizen; filing taxes has never been this easy. Use this and escape the commotion.”
The authority has assured the public that:
- The system is fully secure
- Records are automatically updated
- Filing through eCitizen is recognized as valid and compliant
KRA also acknowledged that many Kenyans have struggled with the complexity of iTax, and the shift aims to promote inclusive digital tax compliance.
Deadline Reminder: June 30, 2025
All taxpayers with active KRA PINs must file returns by June 30, even if they had no income in 2024. Penalties for non-compliance include:
- KSh 2,000 fine (individuals)
- Interest accrual
- Denial of Tax Compliance Certificates (TCCs), which are mandatory for government tenders, job applications, visa processing, and bank loans
Who Must File Nil Returns?
According to KRA:
- If you were employed in 2024 and lost your job, you must still file
- If you had multiple employers, file to disclose all earnings
- If you earned zero income, file a nil return
- If you have a side hustle, you must declare that too
Why eCitizen is the Future of Government Services
The tax integration is part of a larger push by the Kenyan government to make eCitizen the single digital gateway for all public services. Other recent directives require agencies to:
- Open e-agent accounts
- Centralize payments and services
- Streamline public access to services nationwide
Final Thoughts
The transition to eCitizen for KRA nil returns is a game-changer in Kenya’s tax compliance journey. Whether you’re a student, unemployed, or in-between jobs, take advantage of this faster, mobile-friendly system before the June 30 deadline.
Filing a nil return may seem unnecessary, but skipping it could cost you more than just a fine. Do the right thing—file now and stay compliant.
