Last reviewed October 2026
- Issued by
- Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), on iTax
- Valid for
- Does not expire; the PIN stays with the company
- Who needs it
- Every company, partnership and sole trader that earns income or trades in Kenya
- Where to apply
- itax.kra.go.ke
- Cost
- No fee is charged for PIN registration; check the current position on iTax
What it is
A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is the number the Kenya Revenue Authority uses to identify a taxpayer. A company has its own PIN, separate from its directors' personal PINs. The PIN certificate is the document that shows the number, the taxpayer's name and the tax obligations it is registered for, such as income tax, VAT or PAYE.
The certificate is the starting point for the tax compliance certificate: KRA issues a TCC against the PIN, so the PIN must exist and be in good standing first.
Who must have it
Every business that trades in Kenya needs a PIN, and every tender asks for the certificate at preliminary evaluation. Banks ask for it to open an account, the county asks for it for a business permit, and AGPO and NCA ask for it when you register.
Documents you need
- Certificate of incorporation or business name registration
- A current CR12 for a company, showing the directors
- The personal KRA PINs and national IDs of the directors
- The company's registered address and contact details
- The tax obligations you are registering for; VAT registration has its own threshold and rules
How to apply, step by step
- Open iTax and choose new PIN registration for a non-individual taxpayer.
- Enter the company's registration details, the directors' PINs and the business address.
- Select the tax obligations that apply. Registering for an obligation you do not need creates returns you must then file, so choose carefully or ask an accountant.
- Submit and download the PIN certificate from iTax once it is issued.
- Keep the iTax login safe. Returns, the TCC application and any amendments are all done through it.
Keeping it in good standing
The PIN does not expire, but KRA records every return due against it. A missed return, even a nil return, leaves the PIN with an outstanding obligation and blocks the tax compliance certificate. File each return on time, and if the company changes its address, directors or obligations, amend the PIN details on iTax so they match the CR12 and the tender forms.
Why bids get thrown out over it
- A director's personal PIN certificate was attached instead of the company's.
- The name or address on the certificate does not match the certificate of incorporation.
- The certificate was attached without the tax compliance certificate the tender also required.
How Tendakazi helps
The vault stores the company's PIN certificate alongside the TCC, so the two travel together into every bid. Our analysts check that the names on the PIN, the incorporation certificate and the CR12 agree. If the company has no PIN yet, you can order the registration as a quoted service, and our accounting team can take on the returns so the PIN stays clear for a TCC.
Questions
Can a company use a director's PIN for a tender?
No. The tender wants the company's own PIN. A director's PIN identifies a different taxpayer.
Does a KRA PIN certificate expire?
No. It remains valid, but the company must file all returns due against it to obtain a tax compliance certificate.
How do I get a copy of the PIN certificate?
Sign in to iTax and reprint it from the registration menu. The reprint is accepted as the certificate.
Do I have to register for VAT to bid?
Not for the PIN itself. VAT registration depends on your turnover and the goods or services you supply; check the current threshold with KRA or an accountant.
No company PIN yet? We register it on iTax as a quoted service, and the certificate goes straight into your vault.
Read next
General information for suppliers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Procurement law, regulations, thresholds and government systems change: check the current rules with the procuring entity, the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), the National Treasury or KRA, and speak to an advocate or tax adviser about your own case.