To apply for a KRA PIN online, open the official iTax portal at itax.kra.go.ke, choose New PIN Registration, then register as an Individual using the Online Form.
KRA's individual guide says you fill Section A (basic information), Section B (obligation details), and Section C (source of income), then submit. You get an acknowledgment receipt with a reference number so you can track the application while you wait for approval.
Quick answer
Portal: iTax → New PIN Registration.
Taxpayer type: Individual. Mode: Online Form.
After submit: Keep the acknowledgment reference number and await approval.
Students / no taxable activity: You can apply for a PIN Without Obligation (PWO) so you are not required to file returns until you add obligations later.
What a KRA PIN is
According to KRA, a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is used when you deal with the Kenya Revenue Authority, other government agencies, and many service providers. "Personal" covers individuals and artificial persons such as companies, clubs, and trusts. A sole proprietorship uses the proprietor's individual PIN.
KRA says you should have a PIN if you are employed, in business, have rental income, wish to apply for a HELB loan, or need a PIN for listed transactions such as land registration, motor vehicle licensing, company or business-name registration, insurance underwriting, imports, electricity connection deposits, or government supply contracts.
TAX AND REVENUE
How to Apply for a KRA PIN Online
Sep 4, 2026
Sep 4, 2026
7 min read
Published
Updated:
To apply for a KRA PIN online, open the official iTax portal at itax.kra.go.ke, choose New PIN Registration, then register as an Individual using the Online Form.
KRA's individual guide says you fill Section A (basic information), Section B (obligation details), and Section C (source of income), then submit. You get an acknowledgment receipt with a reference number so you can track the application while you wait for approval.
Quick answer
Portal: iTax → New PIN Registration.
Taxpayer type: Individual. Mode: Online Form.
After submit: Keep the acknowledgment reference number and await approval.
Students / no taxable activity: You can apply for a PIN Without Obligation (PWO) so you are not required to file returns until you add obligations later.
What a KRA PIN is
According to KRA, a PIN (Personal Identification Number) is used when you deal with the Kenya Revenue Authority, other government agencies, and many service providers. "Personal" covers individuals and artificial persons such as companies, clubs, and trusts. A sole proprietorship uses the proprietor's individual PIN.
KRA says you should have a PIN if you are employed, in business, have rental income, wish to apply for a HELB loan, or need a PIN for listed transactions such as land registration, motor vehicle licensing, company or business-name registration, insurance underwriting, imports, electricity connection deposits, or government supply contracts.
Official portal
iTax portal — New PIN Registration, login, Status Checker, and PIN Checker.
How to register for a KRA PIN (individual) — KRA's step guide.
About PIN — who needs a PIN and PIN Without Obligation.
What you need
For a Kenyan resident applying for a PIN Without Obligation, KRA's official PWO guide says you need a National Identity card. The guide also walks you through residential status, profession, National ID details, date of birth, physical and postal address, phone and email (with OTP verification), reason for application, data-privacy consent, and any supporting document upload.
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For a standard individual registration with tax obligations, follow the on-screen fields in Sections A–C on iTax. KRA's Tax Obligations page notes that while applying you select obligations such as Income Tax (compulsory for residents or non-residents as applicable), VAT (suppliers of taxable goods and services), and PAYE (employers).
KRA's public how-to pages used for this guide do not list a separate application fee for an individual PIN. Use only official KRA and iTax sites.
How to apply for a KRA PIN online (individual)
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open https://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-Portal/.
Select New PIN Registration (or the register option to apply for a PIN).
Choose taxpayer type Individual.
Select mode of registration Online Form.
Complete Section A: basic information.
Complete Section B: obligation details (or choose PIN Without Obligation if that option applies and you are not in taxable activity).
Complete Section C: source of income details when the form asks for them.
Submit the form. Save the acknowledgment receipt and reference number so you can track the application while you await approval.
PIN Without Obligation (students and others)
KRA describes PIN Without Obligation (PWO) for individuals not currently engaged in taxable activity, for example students who need a PIN for Higher Education Loans, or diplomats. Holders are not required to file returns. You will not qualify for services that need active obligations such as a Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), iTax filings, or eTIMS compliance until you amend the PIN and add obligations.
KRA's PWO guide for Kenyan residents: go to iTax → New PIN registration → Individual → Online form → answer Yes to register for a PWO → fill the form (Kenyan residential status, National ID, DOB, addresses, contacts, OTP on email) → submit. For Kenyan residents, the guide shows downloading the PIN certificate after submission. The PIN is an 11-character number starting with A and ending with a letter.
Non-Kenyan non-resident (diplomat) PWO applications are subject to approval by authorised staff. After approval, the system emails PIN details; after rejection, the officer's remarks go to the registered email.
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How to print or reprint your PIN certificate
Log in to the iTax portal.
Open the Registration tab and select Reprint my Certificate.
Select applicant type (Taxpayer or Agent).
Click Submit. KRA says your certificate is then ready for download.
Track application status
Use the acknowledgment reference number from your submission. On the iTax online services area, KRA also provides a Status Checker to consult the status of applications, plus a PIN Checker to verify a PIN.
Common problems
Wrong site: Only use itax.kra.go.ke and kra.go.ke. Fake "PIN agents" and paid shortcuts are a common scam pattern.
OTP not arriving: Check spam/junk for the iTax email OTP, then use Resend if the portal offers it.
Need HELB later: KRA lists wishing to apply for a HELB loan among reasons to have a PIN. After placement, funding applications go through HEF/HELB portals — see our HELB guides below.
Started earning after PWO: Amend your PIN on iTax and add the relevant tax obligations.
Scam warning
KRA does not ask you to pay strangers for a "fast PIN." Do not share your iTax password, OTP, or ID scans on WhatsApp with unknown numbers. Confirm contacts on kra.go.ke or the iTax portal footer.
Contacts
Times Tower Building, Haile Selassie Avenue, P. O. Box 48240 - 00100, Nairobi.
Contact Centre: 020 4 999 999 or 0711 099 999. Email: callcentre@kra.go.ke. You can also visit a Tax Service Office or Huduma centre.
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