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2 clusters · 4 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

Google YouTube tax withholding in Kenya

Overview

Google has announced it will begin withholding a 5% tax from the monthly earnings of YouTube creators based in Kenya. This measure is intended to comply with the Kenya Income Tax Act regarding digital content monetization.

To ensure compliance and avoid payment disruptions, creators are required to submit and verify an 11-character Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Personal Identification Number (PIN) via their AdSense for YouTube accounts by October 1, 2026. While earnings will continue to accrue for those who do not comply, Google has warned that payments may be withheld.

The new mechanism is set to apply to earnings generated in September 2026 and paid out in October 2026. This 5% Kenyan deduction will be applied in addition to any applicable United States taxes. This move follows similar actions by Meta, which began withholding 5% from Kenyan creators in January, as the Kenyan government seeks to expand its tax base through digital platforms.

Entities

Google · Kenya Revenue Authority · YouTube · Kenya · AdSense

Timeline

  1. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Google to withhold 5% from Kenyan YouTube creators' earnings

    Google will withhold 5% of YouTube earnings for Kenyan creators starting September 2026 to remit taxes to the KRA. Creators must provide a verified KRA PIN by October 1, 2026, to avoid payment freezes.

  2. about 1 month ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Google to withhold 5% tax from Kenyan YouTube creators

    Google will begin withholding a 5% Kenyan tax from YouTube earnings for creators in Kenya starting October 2026. Creators must provide a verified KRA PIN by October 1, 2026, to avoid payment holds.

Sources

businessdailyafrica.com · pulselive.co.ke · techmoran.com · techtrendske.co.ke