Wednesday, March 1, 2023

How to File Kra Itax Tax Returns in Kenya

Dr.Don

How to file tax returns in Kenya

Filing returns in Kenya can be a daunting task, especially for individuals who have never done it before. However, with the right information and guidance, filing returns in Kenya can be a seamless process. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to file returns in Kenya.

Step 1: Register for a KRA PIN

Before you can file your returns in Kenya, you need to have a KRA PIN. A KRA PIN is a unique identification number that is issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). You can register for a KRA PIN online or by visiting a KRA service center. To register for a KRA PIN online, you will need to visit the KRA iTax portal and follow the registration process. You will be required to provide your personal details, such as your name, ID number, and email address. Once you have registered for a KRA PIN, you will receive an email with your PIN and instructions on how to activate your iTax account.

Step 2: Collect your P9 form

A P9 form is a document that shows your total income and tax deductions for the year. Your employer is responsible for issuing you with a P9 form at the end of the tax year. You can also download your P9 form from the KRA iTax portal if you have an activated iTax account. Your P9 form will provide you with the information you need to complete your tax returns.

Step 3: Log in to your iTax account

To file your returns in Kenya, you need to have an activated iTax account. You can log in to your iTax account using your KRA PIN and password. Once you have logged in to your iTax account, you will be able to access the tax returns form.

Step 4: Complete the tax returns form

The tax returns form is a document that requires you to provide information about your income, tax deductions, and other relevant details. You will need to provide accurate information to avoid penalties for submitting false information. You can save your progress as you complete the form and come back to it later if you need to.

Step 5: Submit your tax returns form

Once you have completed the tax returns form, you need to submit it. You will be required to provide your digital signature, which you can generate using your KRA PIN and password. After you have submitted your tax returns form, you will receive an acknowledgment receipt. You can download and print the receipt for your records.

Step 6: Pay any outstanding taxes

If you have any outstanding taxes, you need to pay them before the deadline. You can pay your taxes using various payment methods, including M-PESA, bank transfer, or by visiting a KRA service center. To pay your taxes through M-PESA, you need to follow the following steps:

  1. Go to the M-PESA menu and select Lipa Na M-PESA.
  2. Select Pay Bill and enter the KRA Pay Bill number (572572).
  3. Enter your KRA PIN as the account number.
  4. Enter the amount you want to pay.
  5. Enter your M-PESA PIN and confirm the transaction.

Once you have paid your taxes, you need to log in to your iTax account and confirm the payment. You will receive an acknowledgment receipt for your payment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, filing returns in Kenya is a straightforward process if you have the right information and guidance. You need to have a KRA PIN, collect your P9 form, log in to your iTax account, complete the tax returns form, submit your tax returns form, and pay any outstanding taxes before the deadline. You can also seek professional assistance if you need help filing your returns. By following these steps, you can avoid penalties and stay compliant with filing deadlines.

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

The Process of Buying Land in Kenya

Dr.Don

  Kenya is a country with diverse and rich land resources, making it a popular destination for investors looking to buy land for various purposes, including commercial, residential, agricultural, and industrial use. However, buying land in Kenya can be a complex and challenging process, especially for first-time buyers. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to buy land in Kenya.

Step 1: Conduct Research on the Land Market

The first step in buying land in Kenya is to conduct research on the land market. This will help you understand the current land prices, trends, and regulations in the areas you are interested in. You can use various resources, including online platforms, newspapers, and local real estate agents, to gather information on the land market.

Step 2: Identify the Type of Land You Want to Buy

The next step is to identify the type of land you want to buy. There are different types of land in Kenya, including agricultural, commercial, residential, and industrial land. Each type of land has its own specific regulations and restrictions, so it is essential to understand the legal requirements before making a purchase.

Step 3: Check the Land Ownership and Title Deed

Before making an offer on a piece of land, you need to check the land ownership and title deed. This can be done through the government's land registry, where you can verify the ownership of the land and obtain a copy of the title deed.

Step 4: Conduct a Physical Inspection of the Land

It is essential to conduct a physical inspection of the land to verify its location, size, and boundaries. You can hire a licensed land surveyor to conduct a survey and verify the land's boundaries and measurements.

Step 5: Negotiate the Price and Payment Terms

After conducting due diligence and verifying the land's ownership and boundaries, you can negotiate the price and payment terms with the seller. It is essential to have a written agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, including the purchase price, payment schedule, and any other relevant details.

Step 6: Pay for the Land and Transfer Ownership

Once you have agreed on the purchase price and payment terms, you can pay for the land and transfer ownership. The payment can be made through a bank transfer or a lawyer's escrow account to ensure a safe and secure transaction.

Step 7: Register the Land and Obtain a Title Deed

After paying for the land and transferring ownership, you need to register the land and obtain a title deed. This can be done through the government's land registry, where you need to provide the necessary documents and pay the registration fees.

conclusion

In conclusion, buying land in Kenya can be a complex and challenging process, but by following the steps outlined in this article, you can navigate the process successfully. It is essential to conduct research on the land market, identify the type of land you want to buy, check the land ownership and title deed, conduct a physical inspection of the land, negotiate the price and payment terms, pay for the land and transfer ownership, and register the land and obtain a title deed. By taking these steps, you can buy land in Kenya legally and securely.

Monday, January 9, 2023

How to Register a Business in Kenya

Dr.Don

 

Business Registration in Kenya 

Starting a business in Kenya can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, it can also be a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the country's business registration process. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to register a business in Kenya.

Step 1: Determine the Type of Business Structure You Want to Register

The first step in registering a business in Kenya is to decide on the type of business structure you want to register. There are several business structures to choose from, including sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Each business structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is essential to do your research before making a decision.

Step 2: Choose a Business Name

Once you have determined the type of business structure you want to register, the next step is to choose a business name. The name you choose should be unique, memorable, and not already in use by another business. You can check the availability of your chosen business name on the government's online portal for business registration.

Step 3: Reserve the Business Name

After choosing a business name, you need to reserve it through the government's online portal. The reservation process takes up to 30 days, during which time no other business can use your chosen name.

Step 4: Prepare the Required Documents

To register a business in Kenya, you need to prepare the following documents:

  • Memorandum and Articles of Association for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Partnership Agreement for a Partnership
  • ID or Passport copy for the business owner(s)

Step 5: Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits before registering your business. You can find out which licenses and permits you need on the government's online portal.

Step 6: Register the Business

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you can now register your business through the government's online portal. You will need to provide the required documents and pay the registration fees, which vary depending on the type of business structure you are registering.

Step 7: Obtain a Business Permit

After registering your business, you need to obtain a business permit from the county government where your business is located. The business permit allows you to operate legally in the county and is renewable on an annual basis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, registering a business in Kenya is a straightforward process that involves determining the type of business structure you want to register, choosing a unique business name, reserving the name, preparing the necessary documents, obtaining the required licenses and permits, registering the business through the government's online portal, and obtaining a business permit from the county government. By following these steps, you can legally operate your business in Kenya and enjoy the benefits of being a registered business.

How to Register a Company in Kenya

Dr.Don
A company is defined as a legal entity formed by either an individual or a group of individuals with an aim of running a business or a profit-generating activity.

In Kenya, registering a company has become easy and more straightforward than before. Both Kenyan Citizens and foreigners can now successfully register a business or a company from the Government's services portal. Ideally, the process should take anywhere between a week to one month or even longer in case you do not have all the documentation required for Company Registration in Kenya.

Below is a list of Requirements for Registering a Company in Kenya.

1.  E-Citizen Account

2. Passport Photo

3. Application Fees ( ksh 10,000 )

Step by Step Procedure on Company Registration.

Create an E-Citizen Account

eCitizen Account Creation

The very first step to Company registration in kenya is creation of an ecitizen account, Ecitizen is the Kenyan Government portal where Government services are applied. i.e 

>Passport application
>Good Conduct application
>Birth and Death certificates application  and many more.
> Company and business registration

To register an e-citizen account you need a working phone number and and a Kenyan National ID Card.
1. Navigate to https://www.ecitizen.go.ke/ 
2. Click on Create account then use you ID Number for registration,      a confirmation message will be sent to the phone number that you      will have provided.
3. Upon registration, a dashboard showing available services will be       displayed.
4. Navigate to Business Registration Service.

Company registration

Upon navigation to the Business Registration service Dashboard,Choose your type of registration service you need i.e
 > Business name Registration
 > Public Limited Company
 > A Foreign company
 > A branch of a foreign Company
 > Limited Liability company e.t.c

Company Registration in Kenya

In this case were registering a Private Limited Company, therefore you will need a minimum of 3 Company name suggestion and a maximum of 5 Company Name suggestions of which the Registrar of companies will choose one unique Company name from the possible 5 name suggestions. Remember to write the name suggestions in order of priority,from the most desired to least desired.

The registrar of companies will approve one name from the possible 5 ,thereafter the selected name will be reserved for a maximum of 30 days from the day name reservation, that's the maximum period you have to complete the company/business registration process.

STEP BY STEP SUMMARY ON HOW TO REGISTER A COMPANY IN KENYA

Registering a company in Kenya is a straightforward process, and it's a requirement for anyone looking to start a business in the country. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register a company in Kenya:

Step 1: Choose a Company Name

The first step in registering a company in Kenya is choosing a company name. The name you choose should be unique, easy to remember, and not already in use by another company. You can check the availability of your chosen name on the eCitizen platform, which is the government's online portal for business registration.

Step 2: Reserve the Company Name

Once you have chosen a name for your company, you need to reserve it through the eCitizen platform. The reservation process takes up to 30 days, during which time no other company can use your chosen name.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

To register a company in Kenya, you need to prepare the following documents:

  • Memorandum of Association: This document outlines the company's objectives, rules, and regulations.
  • Articles of Association: This document outlines the internal management and operations of the company.
  • Company Registration Form: This form contains the details of the company, such as the name, address, and directors' details.

Step 4: Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Permits

Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits before registering your company. You can find out which licenses and permits you need on the eCitizen platform.

Step 5: Register the Company

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, you can now register your company through the eCitizen platform. You will need to provide the required documents and pay the registration fees, which vary depending on the type of company you are registering.

Step 6: Obtain a Business Permit

After registering your company, you need to obtain a business permit from the county government where your business is located. The business permit allows you to operate legally in the county and is renewable on an annual basis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, registering a company in Kenya is a straightforward process that involves choosing a unique company name, reserving the name, preparing the necessary documents, obtaining the required licenses and permits, registering the company through the eCitizen platform, and obtaining a business permit from the county government. By following these steps, you can legally operate your business in Kenya and enjoy the benefits of being a registered company.Feel free to ask for guidance and Consult whenever possible on the comment section below.








Friday, January 6, 2023

How to Request and Register for an Mpesa Paybill or Till Number

Dr.Don

What is an Mpesa Paybill/Till Number ? 

An Mpesa Paybill is a Service offered by Safaricom in conjunction with Mpesa which enables customers to  make payments to businesses. i.e. paying for supermarket bill, Loan Repayment, DSTV repayment  e.t.c . The Mpesa Paybill/Till number also enables businesses to collect payments from customers on a consistent basis. It allows businesses to track their business performance through financial statements which can be generated from the Mpesa Paybill account Dashboard.

Mpesa paybill Number

Mpesa , Mpesa Paybill and Till number services is the pinnacle of Technological advancements in the Fin-tech Sector.The Paybill service is used by millions of Kenyans to enable them to pay for good and services offered.In this article we will be discussing the process of Paybill and Till application and how to Operate one.

Whats the difference between Buy goods and Till Number.

An Mpesa paybill number is a Service that allows businesses to collect payments from their customers while a Till number enables clients to pay for goods and services offered efficiently.

How to Request for an Mpesa Till Number?

Both businesses and individuals can request for an Mpesa Till number. However the two have a different set of requirements in order to acquire these accounts.For a business to request for an mpesa till number,

  1. They should visit Safaricom business portal to Complete the application process.
  2. Click on Apply now Option.
  3. Chose the Option, Mpesa Business Till (buy goods and Services till ).
  4. Depending on the nature of your business,choose if your business is a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a Limited Company.
  5. On Completion of the above steps, you will receive an SMS notification indicating the Till number and Store Number of the Business through a phone number you will have nominated.
  6. Download a Lipa na Mpesa Sticker from the Safaricom Business Portal ,use it to write the Till Number and Store Number.
  7. Dial *234# to activate the Business Till Number.
  8. Change the pin from the menu that apperars after dialing *234#.
  9. From this point the till number is ready to start receiving payments.

How to Activate an Mpesa Till Number?

  1. Dial *234# on your keypad.
  2. Select the second option on the drop down menu that appears(Mpesa Business till)
  3. Enter the store number that was sent to you nominated contact.
  4. Accept the terms and conditions and pres on submit.
  5. After the above step,an operator id and start key will be sent via SMS on the nominated number.

Requirements to get a Till Number.

Depending on the nature of your Business, i.e Limited Company, Sole proprietorship, partnership & individuals, there are different requirements in order to be eligible for an Mpesa Till Number.
Below are some of the requirements .

Individuals Business

An individual should present a copy of :
  1. National ID
  2. Kra Pin
  3. A cancelled cheque leaf or a letter from the bank showing the bank details of the individual.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business name registered by an individual.The required Documents are as follows:
  1. Individuals ID card.
  2. Individuals KRA pin.
  3. Business Registration Certificate.
  4. A cancelled cheque leaf or a letter from the bank showing confirming validity of the applicants account details i.e Bank account number.

Limited Company (LLC)

For a limited Liability Company, the following are required for Till number Eligibility.
  1. ID cards for all directors ( Front & Back)
  2. KRA pins of all the directors of the company.
  3. A copy of the Company's KRA pin.
  4. A recent CR12 form with a 90 days validity.
  5. A copy of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation.
  6. A receipt containing the directors annual returns.
  7. A cancelled cheque leaf or a letter from the bank showing confirming validity of the applicants account details i.e Bank account number.
  8. A fully filled resolution Letter stamped or sealed and signed by all the company's directors. 

See also :

How To apply for Safaricom Paybill Number 

  1. Firstly, head to the Safaricom Business Lipa na Mpesa Portal.
  2. Download the Paybill Application form provided on the Portal.
  3. Fill out the form and agree to the terms and conditions.
  4. Sign the form and attach copies of the Stated requirements above.
  5. Visit your nearest Safaricom Shop and drop the documents.
  6. Wait for processing and approval of your Paybill application.
For Business & Company Registration Services Reach out to us for professional assistance Via e-mail on diamondcitadelkenya@gmail.com or talk to us on WhatsApp.