Who needs a KRA PIN in Kenya, how to register with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), what the number looks like, how to find or check one, and where it goes on your invoices.
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Updated for 2026
Last reviewed September 2026
What the KRA PIN is
The KRA PIN is the number Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) assigns to a taxpayer in Kenya. It follows you across every tax you deal with: VAT, income tax and withholding. Businesses that pay you will ask for it before they release payment, because they report their suppliers to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) by this number.
Eleven characters: a letter, nine digits and a letter, for example A001234567Z.
Who needs one
Every adult with a national ID, every registered business, and anyone who needs to open a bank account, register a business, buy land or take a job.
How to register, step by step
Go to iTax and choose New PIN Registration, individual or non-individual.
Enter your national ID details or, for a company, the certificate of incorporation and the directors' PINs.
Pick your tax obligations: income tax is automatic; add VAT only if you will register for it.
Download the PIN certificate from iTax and keep the PDF. Individual PINs start with A, company PINs with P.
How to find or check a KRA PIN
Log in to iTax and open your PIN certificate, or use the PIN Checker on iTax to confirm a supplier's PIN and registered name.
Where it goes on your paperwork
In the invoice header next to your business name, and in the client block when the client is a registered business. Quotations and purchase orders carry it too, so the client's accounts team can match documents. The Kenya invoice generator has a KRA PIN field in both blocks.
Questions people ask
Does it cost anything to get a KRA PIN?
Registration with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is normally free. Agents charge for filling in the same form; pay one only if you want the time saved.
Can I invoice without a KRA PIN?
You can write the document, but many clients will not pay an invoice that has no KRA PIN, and you cannot charge VAT without being registered. Register first; it is usually quick.
Is the KRA PIN the same as VAT registration?
Not necessarily. The KRA PIN identifies you as a taxpayer; VAT registration is a separate status you take on when turnover passes the threshold or you opt in. Some countries use one number for both, others issue a separate VAT number.
How long does registration take?
Online registrations are often instant or take a few days; applications that need a visit or document checks take longer. Start before you need to send your first invoice.
Written from published tax-authority guidance and reviewed on 2026-09-03. Everything here is indicative rather than a ruling on your circumstances, and rules change. Confirm anything you rely on with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) before acting on it, and tell us if you find something out of date so we can correct it.
This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not tax advice for your circumstances. Confirm your position with a qualified adviser or with Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
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Tools for Kenya
Invoices, quotations, purchase orders, credit notes and waybills in KES, with VAT and the KRA PIN on the document. Plus a VAT calculator and a salary tax calculator. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.