Tax compliance for tenders: the KRA certificate and keeping it valid

Why tenders ask for it

Most tenders, public and private, require proof that your business is up to date with its taxes. In Kenya this is normally a tax compliance certificate issued by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Bids without a valid one are often rejected at the first check, before anyone reads the rest.

What it shows

It shows that, at the time it was issued, your business had filed its returns and paid what it owed or had an arrangement to do so. It is time-limited, so it must still be valid on the day you submit and sometimes through the evaluation.

How to get ready

The certificate is applied for through KRA's official online system, so you need your PIN and your returns in order first:

• A KRA PIN for the business or company
• Returns filed for all the periods and tax heads that apply to you
• Any outstanding tax paid or an approved payment arrangement
• Access to the PIN's online account and its registered email or phone

Common reasons applications stall

Missing or late returns, a PIN registered for the wrong obligations, outstanding balances, or access problems with the account. Fix these well before a tender deadline, because corrections can take time.

Keep it valid

Diary the expiry date and renew early. Check the date against each tender's closing date and its bid validity period. If a certificate expires in the middle of an evaluation, ask the buyer how to proceed rather than assuming it is fine.

Use official channels only

Apply only through KRA's own channels and be careful of anyone offering to get a certificate for a fee without you filing and paying properly. A certificate that is not genuine can lead to disqualification and worse.