The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has asked property owners to submit copies of their title documents for verification as the Authority works to clean up its records.
In a notice on March 10, KRA said the exercise targets prior charges and restraints placed on property to recover unpaid taxes.
According to the notice, KRA is reviewing entries placed on land by the Commissioner for Income Tax under the now-repealed Section 103 of the Income Tax Act, or by the Authority itself to secure outstanding tax liabilities.
The Authority noted that the update is necessary to remove outdated records and ensure its registry reflects accurate information.
“Members of the public are hereby called upon to submit copies of their property title documents on which the Commissioner for Income Tax or the Kenya Revenue Authority has placed a charge or restraint for purposes of verification,” stated KRA.
Property owners whose land may have been affected are required to send a copy of their title deed, an official land search, and their PIN number.
These documents can be emailed to [email protected] or delivered to the Commissioner, Legal & Board Services, at Ushuru Pension Towers, Block B, 5th Floor, in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
KRA said the verification will help clear historical entries and make it easier for property owners to transact.
In addition, the taxman noted that some people may still have old charges on their titles without knowing, which could delay sales, transfers, or the use of land as security for loans.
KRA and the Use of Property Charges
A charge or restraint is usually placed on property when a taxpayer has unpaid taxes, and KRA needs a way to secure the debt. This means the land is tied to the tax owed, and the owner cannot sell, transfer, or use it as collateral until the tax issue is fully resolved.
In most cases, these restrictions stay on record for years, especially if no one updates the documents after the tax is cleared.
Without checking these records, old charges can remain in the system and surprise property owners during key processes such as selling land, inheritance, or applying for financing.
KRA emphasizes that this necessitates the verification exercise to remove outdated entries and ensure that land transactions proceed smoothly without unexpected delays or disputes.
Also Read: KRA Explains Why You Still Owe Tax Even After Withholding Tax Is Paid
Why KRA Is Updating Its Property Records
KRA’s main mandate is to collect and manage government revenue, and part of this work includes ensuring people comply with tax laws, and when taxes go unpaid, the it can legally place liens on property to secure the money owed.
The Authority has used these measures to protect public funds, especially in cases where tax debt remained unsettled. As more people buy and sell land and as records move online, it has become important to keep the information accurate and up to date.
This has pushed the Authority to review older entries and remove records that may no longer be correct.
The ongoing verification exercise is part of this effort to modernize its systems, improve transparency, and ensure both taxpayers and KRA have clean, reliable property records that won’t cause problems during transactions.
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