How to Get KRA PIN in Kenya 2026: Free, Online in 5 Minutes

Your KRA PIN Kenya is your tax identification number — and you need it for almost everything financial in 2026: opening a bank account, getting employed, investing in the NSE, applying for a loan, and filing tax returns. Getting it is completely free and takes five to ten minutes online. This guide shows you exactly how.

What Is a KRA PIN?

KRA stands for Kenya Revenue Authority. Your KRA PIN Kenya is an 11-character unique identifier in the format A001234567B — starting with a letter, nine digits in the middle, ending with a letter.

You need a KRA PIN to:

• Get employed — all employers require it for PAYE tax
• Open most bank accounts
• Register a business
• Apply for a bank loan or SACCO loan
• Invest in the NSE (required for CDS account)
• Buy property or land
• Apply for HELB student loan
• File tax returns
• Get government tenders
• Clear goods at customs

Getting your PIN is free. Anyone who asks you to pay for KRA PIN registration is running a scam.

How to Get Your KRA PIN Kenya Online — Step by Step

What you need before starting:

• National ID (physical card)
• Clear photo of ID front and back (under 2MB each)
• Active phone number
• Working email address
• Internet connection

Time required: 5–10 minutes

Step 1 — Go to the iTax portal

Open your browser and go to itax.kra.go.ke

This works on both phone and computer. On your phone, type the address directly into Chrome or your default browser. Do not search for it — go directly to the official URL.

Step 2 — Click “New PIN Registration”

On the iTax homepage, find and click “New PIN Registration”. You will see registration type options.

Select “Individual PIN” — this is correct for employees, students, freelancers, self-employed persons, and unemployed Kenyans. Business PIN is only for registering a company.

Then select “New KRA PIN” (not “Change” or “Retrieve”).

Step 3 — Fill in your personal details

Complete all fields exactly as they appear on your National ID:

Personal information:

• Surname: Your last name as per ID
• Other names: First and middle names as per ID
• Date of birth: DD/MM/YYYY format
• Gender: Male or Female
• ID Number: Your 8-digit National ID number
• Nationality: Kenyan

Critical: Enter your names exactly as they appear on your ID. Nicknames, abbreviations, or different spelling will cause rejection.

Contact information:

• Mobile number: Your active Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom number
• Email address: An email you check regularly — your PIN certificate will be sent here
• Postal address: Your P.O. Box or physical address

Physical address:

• County, Sub-County, Ward from the dropdowns
• Building name or house number
• Street or road name

Employment details:

• Select your employment status: Employed, Self-Employed, Student, or Unemployed
• If employed: enter employer name (employer PIN is optional)
• Students and unemployed: leave employer fields blank

Step 4 — Upload your documents

You will need to upload:

1. National ID front — clear photo showing your photo, name, and ID number
2. National ID back — clear photo of the reverse side
3. Passport photo (optional but recommended — speeds approval)

For each document:

• Click “Choose File” or “Browse”
• Select the photo from your phone or computer
• File must be under 2MB in JPG, PNG, or PDF format
• Wait for the green checkmark confirming successful upload

Photo tips: Good lighting, no blur, entire ID visible, no parts cut off. If your photo is over 2MB, use a free compression app to reduce the file size before uploading.

Step 5 — Verify your phone number (OTP)

Click “Request OTP”. You will receive a six-digit code via SMS within two minutes.

Enter the code in the OTP field and click “Verify”.

The OTP expires in five minutes. If it expires, click “Resend OTP” to receive a new code.

Not receiving OTP? Check your phone has network signal. Wait three minutes — sometimes there is a delay. If still nothing, try the Resend button. If your number is not receiving, consider the offline Huduma Centre option below.

Step 6 — Review and submit

Before submitting, verify:

• All names match your ID exactly
• ID number is correct (8 digits)
• Phone number is active
• Email is spelled correctly
• All documents uploaded successfully
• OTP verified

When satisfied, click “Review Application”, check all details one final time, then click “Submit”.

You will see a confirmation message: “Your application has been submitted successfully.”

Step 7 — Receive your KRA PIN

Your KRA PIN Kenya will arrive within minutes to 24 hours after submission.

Within minutes to 24 hours, you will receive:

• An SMS containing your KRA PIN number
• An email with your PIN and attached certificate PDF

Save the SMS immediately. Download and save the PDF certificate from your email.

Most applications are approved within 30 minutes during business hours.

How to Download Your KRA PIN Certificate

If your certificate did not arrive or you need a new copy:

1. Go to itax.kra.go.ke
2. Click “Download KRA PIN Certificate”
3. Enter your ID number and KRA PIN
4. Complete the captcha
5. Click Download
6. Save the PDF

Keep copies in three places: on your phone, in your email, and printed at home.

KRA PIN Kenya — Huduma Centre Offline Option

If you cannot complete the online process, visit any Huduma Centre during weekday business hours (typically 8am–5pm).

What to bring:

• Original National ID
• Photocopy of ID (front and back)
• One passport photo
• Your email address (written down)
• Your phone number

The process: Tell the security desk you need KRA PIN registration. Queue for KRA services. When called, the officer fills the form with you, scans your ID, and prints your certificate on the spot — usually within 15 minutes once you reach the desk.

Advantage: Instant printed certificate. Disadvantage: Queue times of one to three hours are common at busy centres.

How to Check If You Already Have a KRA PIN

Method 1 — iTax portal: Go to itax.kra.go.ke → click “Verify PIN Status” → enter your ID number → complete captcha → search. If a PIN exists, it displays.

Method 2 — SMS: Dial *662# and follow the prompts to check your PIN status.

Method 3 — Call KRA: Phone 0711 099 999. Provide your full name, ID number, and date of birth. They will confirm whether you have a PIN and what it is.

If you already have a PIN, do not register again — retrieve your existing certificate instead.

How to Recover a Lost KRA PIN

Lost your KRA PIN Kenya? You can recover it in minutes using any of these four methods.

Online recovery: Go to itax.kra.go.ke → click “Forgot PIN” or “Retrieve PIN” → enter your ID number, full name, email, and phone → submit. Your PIN is sent to your registered email.

SMS recovery: Send SMS to 0722 209 929 in the format: PIN [Your ID Number] (example: PIN 12345678). Your PIN is returned by SMS.

Call KRA: Phone 0711 099 999. Verify your identity and they will send your PIN via SMS or email.

Common Problems and Fixes

“ID Number Already Registered” You already have a KRA PIN. Use the recovery methods above to retrieve it — do not register again.

OTP not received Wait five minutes and click Resend. If still nothing after two attempts, check your phone has network and airtime. Try a different browser. If the problem persists, use the Huduma Centre offline option.

“Invalid ID Number” Check you have entered exactly eight digits with no spaces, dashes, or leading zeros added incorrectly. Verify by checking your physical ID card.

Upload failed Compress your photos to under 2MB using a free compression app. Convert to JPG format if in a different format. Try on WiFi rather than mobile data.

Names rejected Enter names exactly as printed on your National ID — same spelling, same order, same capitalisation. Middle names included if they appear on your ID.

Application pending over 48 hours Call KRA on 0711 099 999 with your application reference number. They will check status and advise whether resubmission is needed.

What to Do After Getting Your KRA PIN

Save your PIN immediately — write it in your phone notes, save the SMS, and download the PDF certificate to multiple locations.

Activate your iTax account — go to itax.kra.go.ke, click “New Account,” enter your KRA PIN and ID number, create a password, and verify your email. This allows you to file returns, download certificates, and check your tax status online.

Provide to your employer — your employer needs your KRA PIN for PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax processing. Give HR your PIN and a copy of your certificate.

Use it to open a CDS account — a KRA PIN is one of the three documents required to open a Central Depository System account for NSE investing. See our How to Invest in NSE Kenya 2026 guide for the full account opening process. Your KES 10,000 in survey earnings can start earning 13.3% NSE dividend yield within days of getting your PIN.

File nil returns if unemployed or not earning — KRA requires annual tax returns from all PIN holders even with zero income. Log into iTax and file a nil return before June 30 each year to avoid penalties.

FAQ

How do I get my KRA PIN Kenya for free?”

Yes — completely free. No registration fee, processing fee, or certificate fee. Anyone asking for payment is running a scam.

How long does it take to get a KRA PIN online?

Five to ten minutes to complete the application. PIN received within 30 minutes to 24 hours — most applications approved within 30 minutes during business hours.

Can students get a KRA PIN?

Yes. Any Kenyan aged 18 or over can get a KRA PIN regardless of employment status. Students select “Student” as their employment status. You need a KRA PIN for HELB loan applications and any part-time or freelance income.

Can I have two KRA PINs?

No. Each person has exactly one KRA PIN linked to their ID number. Attempting to register again results in “ID already registered.” Retrieve your existing PIN using the recovery methods above.

Do I need a KRA PIN to invest in the NSE?

Yes. A KRA PIN is required to open a CDS account — the account that holds your NSE shares. See our How to Invest in NSE Kenya 2026 guide once you have your PIN.

Is KRA PIN permanent?

Yes — it is issued once and never expires. You do not renew it. You can update your contact details (phone, email, address) but the PIN number itself never changes.

Key contacts:

• iTax portal: itax.kra.go.ke
• KRA hotline: 0711 099 999 / 0711 088 999
• KRA email: [email protected]
• Huduma Centre: 0800 221 900

Getting a KRA PIN is free. If anyone asks you to pay, report them to KRA on 0711 099 999. Last updated March 2026.