Your eTIMS invoice failed.VAT return is due.

The Kenya VAT standard rate is 16% as per KRA guidelines for 2026. This applies to most taxable goods and services. Essential items including basic foodstuffs, medical supplies, and exports are zero-rated (0%) or exempt.

Smart VAT Kenya charges a flat fee of KES 5,000 for complete VAT registration, including iTax profile update and VAT PIN generation, completed in 1–3 working days.

KRA imposes a penalty of Higher of KES 10,000 or 5% of tax due, plus 1% interest per month. VAT returns must be filed by the 20th of the following month.

A business must register for VAT when its annual taxable turnover reaches or exceeds KES 5,000,000. Voluntary registration is also possible from below KES 5,000,000.

VAT registration is done via the KRA iTax portal at itax.kra.go.ke. The process involves updating your iTax profile, completing Form VAT 1, and uploading supporting documents. Smart VAT Kenya handles the entire process for KES 5,000.

Yes. Smart VAT Kenya accepts M-PESA for all services and provides official M-PESA transaction receipts for every payment.

eTIMS (Electronic Tax Invoice Management System) is KRA's mandatory electronic invoicing system. All businesses in Kenya - VAT-registered or not - must onboard eTIMS and issue electronic invoices. From 2026, KRA validates all VAT returns against eTIMS invoice data.

KRA imposes a penalty of KES 100,000 per month (TPA s.95) for failure to register for VAT when required. This is separate from the KES 10,000 late-filing penalty.

The KRA VAT Special Table (and associated RAIS Tax Alerts) tracks suppliers under compliance review. If your supplier is flagged, input VAT claims involving their invoices are automatically blocked by iTax. Smart VAT Kenya checks this during onboarding.

KRA official guidance applies KES 5M (verified 2026-08-08); an increase to KES 8M has been reported via Finance Act 2025 commentary.

VAT payment to KRA is made via M-PESA Paybill number 572572. Use your KRA PIN as the account number. Payments must clear before the 20th of the month following the tax period. Smart VAT Kenya provides M-PESA payment guidance with every filing.

VAT registration is mandatory in Kenya when your annual taxable turnover exceeds KES 5,000,000. However, you can voluntarily register below this threshold to claim input VAT credits. Failure to register when required attracts a penalty of KES 100,000 per month (TPA s.95).

If you fail to register for VAT when your turnover exceeds the mandatory threshold, KRA can impose penalties of KES 100,000 per month (TPA s.95). Additionally, you cannot claim input VAT, and you risk audit, interest charges, and business closure.

Yes. You can voluntarily register for VAT even if your annual turnover is below KES 5 million. This allows you to claim input VAT credits on your purchases, which can improve cash flow.

VAT registration through Smart VAT Kenya typically takes 1–3 working days from the time you submit your documents by email.

You need: (1) Your KRA PIN certificate, (2) Copy of your national ID, (3) Business registration documents (CR12/13 or business license), (4) Bank account details, (5) Business address proof. Smart VAT Kenya guides you through exactly what to submit.

Yes. You can file a 'nil return' even if you have zero sales or zero output tax. Nil returns are required to maintain compliance and avoid penalties. Smart VAT Kenya files nil returns as part of monthly filing services.