How to Get a KRA Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) on iTax

A Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC) is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). It confirms that you have filed your tax returns and have no outstanding tax. It is one of the Chapter Six documents that public bodies ask shortlisted candidates for, and many private employers, banks and NGOs ask for it too.

The good news: if your returns are in order, you can get it online in a few minutes, and it costs nothing.

Who needs a Tax Compliance Certificate?

• Candidates shortlisted for government, county and state corporation jobs.
• People applying for senior or finance roles in the private sector.
• Suppliers bidding for government tenders, and people applying for some licences.

Even if you are unemployed or a student, you can get a TCC, as long as you have filed your returns (nil returns if you had no income).

Step by step: how to apply on iTax

1. Go to the iTax portal and log in with your KRA PIN and password. If you have forgotten your password, use the reset option; a new one is sent to your registered email.
2. Open the Certificates menu and choose Apply for Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC).
3. Fill in the reason for the application (for example, "Employment").
4. Submit the application.
5. If your account is in order, the certificate is issued straight away. It is sent to your registered email and you can also download it from iTax under Certificates > Reprint TCC.

Why iTax refuses a TCC, and how to fix it

A tax return is missing

The most common reason. Every person with a KRA PIN must file an income tax return each year by 30 June, even if they had no income (a nil return). Check your filing history on iTax, file any missing returns, then apply again.

You owe tax, penalties or interest

Late filing attracts penalties. Check your ledger on iTax, pay what is owed (you can generate a payment slip and pay through M-Pesa or a bank), and wait for the payment to reflect before applying again. If the amount looks wrong, contact KRA to have it reviewed.

You run a business but are not on eTIMS

Since late 2025, KRA requires people in business to be registered on eTIMS, its electronic tax invoicing system, before a TCC is issued. Register on eTIMS first, then apply.

Your details do not match

If your iTax details (such as your email address or ID details) are outdated, update them or visit a KRA service centre.

Checking whether a TCC is genuine

Employers can check any TCC on the iTax portal using the TCC Checker, so never use or accept an altered certificate. A faked TCC is easy to detect and is a criminal offence.

Tips for job seekers

• File your return early every year, even a nil return. Then you can get a TCC on the same day a job asks for it.
• Check the expiry date on your certificate before every application. It is valid for 12 months.
• Save it as a PDF named clearly, such as KRA-TCC-2026.pdf, so it is ready to upload.
• Do not pay anyone to "process" a TCC for you. It is free on iTax.