Kenya Revenue Authority implements automated tax cross-checking

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has implemented new automated measures to cross-check tax returns against existing digital records. Effective January 1, 2026, the authority began validating income and expenses declared in individual and non-individual tax returns against data from eTIMS, withholding tax records, and customs import information. This system is designed to flag discrepancies, such as when a company reports lower turnover than its electronic tax invoices indicate, for immediate audit.

To support these digital shifts, the KRA also scheduled a 12-hour maintenance period for its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) on September 6, 2026. The shutdown, running from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, temporarily suspended the declaration and clearance of imported and exported goods. This maintenance aims to improve system reliability and security, though it impacts cargo operations at major hubs like the Port of Mombasa.