Kenya Revenue Authority will automatically link export records from the customs platform iCMS to VAT returns in iTax starting May 2026, requiring exporters to have verified export values linked to their PIN and valid electronic tax invoices. This eliminates manual zero‑rated sales declaration, blocks unsupported refund claims at source, and extends oversight to services exports prefilled via electronic invoices.
The VATfaqs digest
Global VAT news, delivered Tuesday and Thursday. Free, curated from 50+ official sources, no spam.
No spam · Unsubscribe any time
Kenyans · 15 days ago
The Kenya Revenue Authority will integrate export VAT return data from its integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) with the iTax filing platform effective May 2026. Exporters will see validated export values automatically prefilled in their VAT returns, but must capture their PIN and a valid TIMS/eTIMS zero‑rated invoice number when lodging export documents in iCMS. Only transactions validated and linked to the taxpayer’s PIN and invoice will be accepted in VAT returns.
VatCalc · 27 days ago
Kenya has temporarily reduced VAT on petrol and diesel from 16% to 13% for a three‑month period, effective 15 April to 14 July 2026. The measure, announced under Legal Notice No. 69, aims to ease inflationary pressure from rising global energy prices.
KPMG · about 2 months ago
Kenyan KPMG commentary analyzes the Tax Appeals Tribunal decision that clarified the VAT treatment of insurance intermediaries. The Tribunal ruled that while insurance brokerage services remain exempt, asset management services are taxable at the standard 16% rate. The decision also highlights the High Court's 2021 ruling restoring the exemption and the appellant's unsuccessful deregistration attempt.
LinkedIn · 4 months ago
The Finance Bill 2026/27 will cut the input VAT for agricultural exporters from 16% to 8%, remove excise duty on packaging materials such as kraft paper, and scrap export promotion levies. It also allows faster offsetting of VAT refunds, offers special tax treatment for long‑standing 100% exporters, and rationalises regulatory levies to ease logistics costs. The bill is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament in March 2026.
RTC Suite · 6 days ago
Morocco is moving toward a mandatory electronic invoicing system in 2026, with a centralized CTC model that will validate invoices in real time via the DGI platform. The reform will roll out progressively, starting with B2B transactions for large companies and later expanding to SMEs and B2C. The UBL format will be the required structured data standard, and invoices must include an electronic signature before validation.
Zawya · 15 days ago
The Egyptian Tax Authority has extended the validity of VAT registration certificates until June 30, 2026, giving taxpayers who had certificates expire on March 31 or April 18, 2026, additional time to renew. The extension is the final opportunity; the deadline will not be extended further.
Put your brand alongside trusted tax-tech intelligence across 150+ countries.
Key Takeaways
The new system will begin in May 2026.
Export values must be verified in iCMS, linked to the taxpayer’s PIN, and supported by a valid electronic tax invoice issued through TIMS/eTIMS.
Services exports will be prefilled in VAT returns based on transmitted electronic invoices.
They will not appear in VAT filings, effectively blocking unsupported refund claims at the source.
Primary source
Read the full article at Kenyan WallstreetThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 28 April 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Kenya. The original source is Kenyan Wallstreet.