The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), in partnership with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), has officially released a comprehensive schedule for the vetting of applicants who have sought tax exemptions under the Income Tax Exemption (ITE) scheme. The exercise, set to run from March 30 to April 30, will see thousands of Kenyans living with disabilities undergo verification at designated centers across the country.
According to a joint notice, the government has emphasized that only those who have successfully applied through the eCitizen platform and obtained official receipts will be considered for vetting. The application window on the portal is scheduled to close on March 22, giving eligible citizens a limited window to complete their submissions.
The verification exercise will be conducted at various health facilities and government offices, with specific centers designated for different regions. In Nairobi, applicants will report to the NCPWD Headquarters in Westlands and the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital in Mbagathi.
Coast region residents will head to the Tudor Sub-County Hospital in Mombasa, while those in Western Kenya will be vetted at the County Referral Hospital in Kisumu. The exercise extends to the Rift Valley, with Nakuru and Eldoret County Referral Hospitals serving as key verification points.
Other counties with designated centers include Garissa, Machakos, Murang’a, Isiolo, Bungoma, West Pokot, and Kisii, each with specific dates assigned to applicants.
The government has outlined strict documentation requirements for the vetting process. Applicants must present all original documents that were uploaded during their online application. For individuals with acquired disabilities, a specialist report from a government hospital is mandatory.
In a crucial advisory, authorities have warned citizens against potential fraudsters who might attempt to exploit the exercise. The government has stressed that the vetting process is completely free of charge, with no additional payments required beyond the initial application fees already paid through eCitizen.
“We urge the public to cooperate fully with our officers during the vetting process,” read the joint statement from KRA and NCPWD. “Proper documentation and punctuality are crucial for successful verification and approval of tax exemption claims.”
In Kenya, registered Persons with Disabilities are exempt from income tax on the first Ksh150,000 earned per month, translating to Ksh1.8 million annually. To qualify for this benefit, individuals must be registered with NCPWD and obtain a formal Income Tax Exemption Certificate from KRA through the iTax portal.
The KDF personnel will also undergo the exercise at various Defence stations, including the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital, as part of the broader national verification drive.
Authorities have reminded applicants that each county has been assigned specific dates, and adherence to the schedule is essential for smooth processing. The month-long exercise aims to ensure that all eligible persons with disabilities receive their tax exemption certificates without unnecessary delays.
