eTIMS Registration Online: KRA and eCitizen Steps (2026)
Short answer: Choose the eTIMS solution that matches your VAT status and invoicing workflow, then register through the official KRA route. Non-VAT small businesses can use eTIMS Lite through eCitizen, *222# or the mobile app; other taxpayers can use the online portal, Client, OSCU or VSCU. Complete activation and test an invoice before relying on the setup.
Step-by-Step
1. Confirm the taxpayer and VAT status
Use the KRA PIN of the entity making the sale. Confirm whether it is VAT registered and whether you are registering a sole proprietor, company, partnership, association, trust, or another business taxpayer.
2. Choose the right eTIMS solution
Select eCitizen/USSD/mobile Lite for eligible non-VAT small taxpayers, the online portal for browser invoicing, Client for installed pay points, or OSCU/VSCU for system-to-system integration.
3. Open the official registration route
Use ecitizen.kra.go.ke for eCitizen invoicing or etims.kra.go.ke for the taxpayer portal. Verify the domain before entering a PIN, password, or OTP.
4. Provide and verify taxpayer information
Enter the requested KRA PIN, registered contact information, business details, and verification code. Portal OTPs are sent to the contact held in KRA records.
5. Activate or onboard the selected solution
Complete the declarations and activation shown for that channel. OSCU/VSCU users also need the appropriate service request, device details, and integration initialization.
6. Create and verify a test invoice
Set up at least one correctly classified item or service, submit a test or first genuine sale as appropriate, and confirm that the resulting receipt contains the returned eTIMS details.
Which Registration Route Should You Use?
| Solution | Access | Typical fit | Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| eTIMS Lite Web | eCitizen | Eligible non-VAT small and micro taxpayers | Online |
| eTIMS Lite USSD | Dial *222# | Individuals and sole proprietors | No internet required |
| eTIMS Lite mobile app | Official app stores | Eligible non-VAT smartphone users | Mobile data or Wi-Fi |
| Online Portal | etims.kra.go.ke | Manual browser invoicing and business continuity | Stable internet |
| eTIMS Client | Installed KRA software | Pay points, branches, and supported offline operation | Can transmit after reconnection |
| OSCU | Third-party or own integration | Always-online invoicing systems | Real-time API |
| VSCU | System-to-system integration | Bulk or intermittently connected systems | Batch/offline-capable model |
What to Prepare
- ✓The correct taxpayer KRA PIN and registered legal or business name.
- ✓Access to the phone number and email held in the taxpayer's KRA records.
- ✓The business nature, branch information, and invoicing workflow.
- ✓VAT registration status and the tax treatment of the goods or services sold.
- ✓Authorized-user and device details where the chosen solution requests them.
- ✓An integrator or technical implementation plan when choosing OSCU or VSCU.
Official eTIMS Login Links
eTIMS Taxpayer Portal
Use https://etims.kra.go.ke for portal sign-up, login, solution access, invoice visibility, and the Forgot Password action.
KRA eCitizen
Use https://ecitizen.kra.go.ke for KRA eCitizen services, eTIMS Lite web invoicing, buyer-initiated invoicing, and KRA checkers.
USSD
Dial *222#, choose KRA Services, and follow the prompts. KRA lists USSD Lite for individuals and sole proprietors.
KRA information
Use kra.go.ke and its eTIMS section for current guides, downloads, tutorials, and support contacts.
Practical note: KRA says a forgotten taxpayer-portal password can be reset using the Forgot Password button. OTP delivery depends on the contact information held in KRA records.
Can You Use More Than One eTIMS Solution?
KRA says taxpayers can register on more than one eTIMS solution and view invoices from the different solutions through the online taxpayer portal. Each solution keeps a unique invoice-number sequence.
This flexibility can support business continuity, but corrections remain tied to the source: a credit note must be generated from the same solution that raised the original invoice.
Registration Problems and Fixes
OTP does not arrive
Confirm that the taxpayer's current phone details match KRA records. Do not share an OTP with anyone claiming to be support.
Wrong solution selected
Review tax status, invoice volume, connectivity, branches, and existing systems. KRA now allows multiple solutions, reducing the need to treat the first choice as permanent.
Forgot portal password
Use Forgot Password on etims.kra.go.ke. Confirm the official domain before entering account details.
Need technical help
KRA lists timsupport@kra.go.ke, callcentre@kra.go.ke, 0711 099 999, and its Tax Service Offices as support routes.
What Registration Does Not Guarantee
A successful account signup is not the end of implementation. The business still needs correct items, tax treatments, authorized users, invoice numbering, a correction process, and evidence that the chosen channel can return a valid receipt.
Avoid promising a universal registration time. Activation depends on the selected solution, the accuracy of taxpayer records, verification access, and any integration work required.
Official KRA Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for eTIMS in Kenya?
Confirm your taxpayer and VAT status, choose the appropriate KRA eTIMS solution, register through eCitizen or the eTIMS taxpayer portal, complete activation, configure your items, and verify the first invoice.
What is the official KRA eTIMS login?
The eTIMS taxpayer portal is https://etims.kra.go.ke. KRA's eCitizen services are at https://ecitizen.kra.go.ke. Check the domain carefully before entering credentials.
Is eTIMS registration free?
KRA says its eTIMS software, including the online portal and Client, is offered free of charge. Businesses may incur costs for connectivity, hardware, internal implementation, or optional third-party integration services.
Can I register for eTIMS using *222#?
KRA lists eTIMS Lite USSD through *222# for individuals and sole proprietors. Choose KRA Services and follow the prompts.
How long does eTIMS registration take?
There is no reliable universal duration. It depends on taxpayer-record accuracy, OTP access, the chosen channel, device setup, and whether OSCU/VSCU integration work is required.
Where can I get eTIMS support?
KRA lists timsupport@kra.go.ke, callcentre@kra.go.ke, 0711 099 999, official social channels, and Tax Service Offices for support.
Last reviewed: July 2026. This guide summarizes current public KRA information and is not tax or legal advice. Confirm unusual cases with KRA or a qualified tax professional.