"Guys, is your iTax portal working?"
It's a conversation I hear almost every end month.
Take Kamau, for example.
He runs a hardware shop and has a habit of leaving his tax returns until the last day.
On the deadline, he logs into iTax, ready to file.
The portal is slow.
He refreshes the page. Tries again. Logs out and back in.
Nothing seems to work.
He rushes to WhatsApp groups to ask whether iTax is working for everyone else.
But here's the question:
Is it a timing problem or a systems problem?
Either way, waiting until the last minute can turn a simple filing into a stressful experience.
Here are three ways Kamau could avoid this pressure:
- File early.
Don't wait until the deadline. Prepare your returns and supporting documents in advance, then submit when the portal is accessible.
- Avoid peak hours.
If the portal is slow, try again during off-peak hours, such as early morning or later in the evening.
- Keep your records and evidence ready.
Prepare your figures, check your entries and save payment confirmations and filing acknowledgements.
If the portal fails, take screenshots of the error and note the time.
And remember, a screenshot of a failed submission is not proof that your return was filed.
Don't make the last day your filing strategy.
Prepare early, submit early and keep your proof.
How has your iTax experience been lately?
