A tax compliance certificate (TCC) is KRA’s confirmation that you have filed your returns and paid your taxes. Employers, government jobs, tenders, liquor and other licences, and some visa and immigration processes ask for one. It is free and applied for online.

Who can get one

You qualify if, on every tax obligation on your KRA PIN:

  • all returns have been filed on time, including nil returns,
  • all tax due has been paid, and
  • there is no unpaid tax debt, penalty or interest.

Step by step

  1. Log in to iTax at itax.kra.go.ke.
  2. Open the Certificates menu (on some layouts it is under Registration) and choose Apply for Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC).
  3. Give the reason you need it, and submit.
  4. If everything is in order, the certificate is emailed to you and can be downloaded from iTax, often the same day.

The certificate is valid for twelve months from the date it is issued.

If it is rejected

iTax tells you why. The common reasons are:

  • A missing return for some year or obligation, often a VAT or turnover tax obligation you did not know was on your PIN. File the missing returns.
  • An unpaid balance - check your ledger on iTax. Small penalties from a late return in an old year are a frequent cause. Pay them, or apply for a waiver if you have a good reason.
  • Details that do not match, such as an old email address or ID.

Fix the problem, then apply again. If iTax still refuses, raise the issue with KRA through the portal or at a tax service office, taking your ID and the rejection message.

Checking a certificate

Anyone can check that a TCC is genuine with the TCC Checker on the iTax portal, using the certificate number and the holder’s PIN. Employers and tender boards do, so never alter one.

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