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The Tax Invoice Management System (TIMS) is an upgrade of the current Electronic Tax Register (ETR) regime that was rolled out in 2005.

It will facilitate electronic tax invoice management through standardization, validation, and transmission of invoices to KRA on a real time or near real time basis.

A taxpayer must:A taxpayer must:

• Be VAT Registered as per the provisions of the VAT Act 2013
• Have an invoicing system with the capability to transmit invoices to KRA systems
• Have internet connectivity

KRA has published guidelines for taxpayers which can be accessed on this link;
https://kra.go.ke/images/publications/Guidelines-for-VAT-Taxpayers-2021.pdf 

The requirements are applicable to all VAT registered taxpayers.

The VAT Act of 2013 and the VAT (Electronic Tax Invoice) Regulations, 2020 provide the legal basis.

The twelve-month transition period that started from August 2021 ended on 31st July 2022.  The extended deadline for taxpayers to comply is 30th September 2022 as per the public notice issued on 1st August 2022. Extension of deadline for compliance with Tax Invoice Management System (TIMS) - KRA

Yes. Where a person is unable to comply within the timelines provided, they will be required to apply to the Commissioner for extension of time, which shall not exceed six months, as provided in the Regulations.

The application for extension shall be made in writing thirty (30) days before the expiry of the transition period.

The following are the key features in a valid invoice:

1. PIN and Name of trader;
2. Time and Date of the Invoice;
3. Invoice Serial Number;
4. Buyer PIN (Optional)
5. Total Gross Amount;
6. Total Tax Amount;
7. Tax Rate;
8. Total Net Amount;
9. Unique Register Identifier;
10. Digital Signature (QR Code);

Taking into consideration the transition period, the new features e.g. the QR Code, will only be visible once a VAT registered trader his using the Tax Invoice Management System.NB: The QR Code will only give a result where the invoice has been transmitted to KRA.

ETR Suppliers will support the traders to automatically update the tax register to reflect the change.

The VAT taxpayer should continue using the tax register as usual. Once the internet connectivity is restored, the invoices generated and stored in the tax register’s memory will be automatically transmitted to KRA.

A trader will be required to report the malfunction of the register to a service person, and report to the Commissioner in writing within 24 hours. 

In the period that the ETR is not working the trader will record sales using any other means as specified by the Commissioner.

Failure to comply with the Regulations is an offence which will attract penalties as specified in Section 63 of the VAT Act, 2013, that is, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding Kshs. 1 million, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both. In addition, upon full implementation, VAT Registered taxpayers will only be able to claim input tax and refunds using TIMS compliant tax invoices.

Yes, the requirement to adopt a compliant ETR applies to all VAT registered taxpayers regardless of the billing system in use.

Withholding VAT will still be operational as per Section 25A of the VAT Act 2013.  Traders will continue to issue invoices as usual and utilize their Withholding VAT credits in their respective VAT returns every month.

By adopting a compliant ETR. This is what you need to do:

1. Refer to the KRA website for the list of approved ETR Suppliers to get in touch with.
2. Once you acquire a compliant ETR, the device will be auto activated through iTax to enable invoice validation and transmission to KRA.
3. In order to activate the ETR, the VAT taxpayer is required to acknowledge the ETR assigned to them by responding to the confirmation email from iTax

1. Fostering a fair business environment
2. Pre-filled VAT return; simplified return filing
3. Auto activation of the Electronic Tax Register
4. Faster processing of VAT refunds
5. Non-intrusive verification of tax matters

1. Type A - suitable for small business entities whose record keeping is manual and those who do sales on the move, e.g. van sales since the ETR is portable.
2. Type B – suitable for retail outlets and shops using point of sale terminals.
3. Type C- suitable for businesses that have automated their operations and are using software billing systems/ERPs.
4. Type D – suitable for all types of business entities.

Where a taxpayer replaces the existing tax register, they are required to safeguard the previously used tax register in line with requirement to keep records for five years as stipulated in Section 23 of the Tax Procedures Act, 2015 (TPA).

• Validation of invoice data at the point of issuing an invoice.
• Generation of a unique QR code.
• Generation of a unique invoice number for every invoice/receipt; control unit invoice number.
• Transmission of the electronic tax invoice to KRA on a real-time or near real time basis.
• Capture of buyer PIN (optional); only for those who intend to claim input VAT.
• Generation of credit and debit notes to correct or amend an invoice.

Yes. The ETRs have the ability to generate credit or debit notes for purposes of amending or correcting invoices. The credit/debit note will also be transmitted to KRA and must make reference to the original invoice number.

Failure to comply with any of the Regulations will result in penalties as specified in Section 63 of the VAT Act (2013) which states that  “A person convicted of an offence under this Act for which no other penalty is provided shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one million shillings, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or to both”.

Upon assessment of the existing device or invoicing system, the ETR Supplier will advise on whether a taxpayer will need to replace their device or upgrade it in order to comply with the requirements.

Failure to comply with any of the Regulations will result in penalties as specified in Section 63 of the VAT Act (2013).

The unit of currency to feature in books of account, tax returns and tax invoices must be in Kenya shillings as per Section 23 of the Tax Procedures Act. Taxpayers are advised to convert the foreign currency into the Kenyan shilling equivalent value using the prevailing CBK mean rate for the day. The foreign currency values may appear on the invoice, however for tax purposes reference will be made to the Kenya shilling values.

The consideration for the supply (unit price) shall be reduced by the value of the discount or rebate allowed. Any discounts or rebates provided should be accounted for as per Section 13(3) of the VAT Act 2013.

A VAT registered trader is required to issue the customer an invoice for every purchase made as per Section 42 of the VAT Act 2013. There should be no lumping or consolidation of multiple sales into one invoice.

https://www.totalsolutions.co.ke/datasheets/List-of-Approved-ETR-Suppliers-Manufacturers-as-at-26.05.2022.pdf