Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has expanded operating hours across its service centers and contact points to accommodate the surge in annual tax return filings as the June 30, 2026 deadline approaches.
The move is intended to ease congestion during the final days of the filing period and provide taxpayers with broader access to compliance support.
Service centers will now operate from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays until June 26, with extended hours until midnight on June 30.
Weekend access has been introduced on June 20 and 27, with centers open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Huduma Centers will provide differentiated schedules, with select outlets extending to 7:00 p.m. while others maintain the standard 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. timetable.
These adjustments are designed to spread demand more evenly across the filing period, reducing the last minute rush that has historically strained both taxpayers and KRA systems.
The KRA Contact Center has also broadened its coverage, operating from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. between June 17 and 26, and stretching to midnight on June 29 and 30. Weekend support will be available on June 27 and 28, running from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
This dual approach of physical service points and remote assistance reflects the authority’s recognition that taxpayers require multiple channels of support, particularly as digital platforms continue to evolve.
Taxpayers are being urged to take advantage of these extended hours to avoid penalties associated with late submissions. “We encourage taxpayers to file early and utilize the extended hours to avoid unnecessary penalties,” said a KRA spokesperson.
The statement underscores the authority’s strategy of coupling enforcement with facilitation, ensuring that compliance obligations are met without undue hardship.
Digital filing remains central to the process, with the iTax portal offering online submission and the WhatsApp based Shuru service providing simplified filing through a three step process.
These innovations are designed to reduce reliance on physical centers, but the extended hours suggest that a substantial portion of taxpayers still prefer or require in person assistance.
The hybrid model combining digital convenience with physical accessibility illustrates the transitional phase of Kenya’s tax administration, where modernization must coexist with traditional service delivery.
The broader implication of KRA’s move lies in its operational capacity to manage peak demand while reinforcing compliance culture. By extending hours and diversifying support channels, the authority is signaling its intent to minimize friction in the filing process, thereby strengthening taxpayer confidence in the system.
As the June 30 deadline nears, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested not only in the volume of returns processed but also in the extent to which taxpayers perceive the system as responsive and reliable.
