KRA eTIMS in Kenya 2026: POS Compliance Guide

eTIMS is the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) electronic Tax Invoice Management System. It requires the real-time transmission of invoice data to KRA, so that every tax invoice is recorded by the authority as it is issued — reducing tax evasion and increasing transparency.

In practice, a compliant invoice carries the eTIMS details that prove it was transmitted to KRA. eTIMS comes in several flavours so it can fit different businesses: a simple online portal, a lightweight app (eTIMS Lite), client modules (OSCU/VSCU), or API integration through a KRA-approved integrator.

KRA made eTIMS mandatory for all VAT-registered businesses from September 2024, and enforcement has only intensified into 2026.

Crucially, it reaches beyond VAT too: for an expense to be tax-deductible, the supporting invoice generally needs to be an eTIMS invoice. That means even many non-VAT businesses are pulled in — because their business customers will demand an eTIMS invoice to claim the expense. If you sell to other businesses, expect to be asked for one.

Non-compliance is expensive. Businesses operating without compliant eTIMS invoicing face penalties of up to KES 1,000,000, and KRA has stepped up enforcement.

Beyond the fine, there is a commercial cost: invoices that are not on eTIMS may be rejected by your customers (they cannot deduct the expense) and can trigger problems at audit. Compliance is increasingly a condition for doing business, not just a tax formality.

To get compliant, Kenyan businesses typically:

1. Register for eTIMS on the KRA platform (iTax / eTIMS onboarding). 2. Choose an eTIMS method that fits: the online portal, eTIMS Lite (for low-volume or service businesses), a client module (VSCU/OSCU), or API integration via a KRA-approved integrator for higher volumes. 3. Issue eTIMS invoices for your sales and keep them for your records and your customers.

Smaller shops often start with eTIMS Lite or the portal; growing retailers integrate eTIMS into their systems via an approved partner.

digabloPos runs your till, stock, staff, and reports in Kenyan shillings, in English and Swahili, offline — recording M-Pesa and Airtel Money as payment methods. It gives you a structured, reliable sales base.

To be clear: digabloPos does not itself transmit invoices to KRA or issue the eTIMS invoice. That is done through KRA's eTIMS channels (the portal, eTIMS Lite, a client module, or a KRA-approved integrator).

In practice, use digabloPos to record sales, track stock, and keep clean reports, and your eTIMS solution for the tax invoice. A clear, organized sales base makes eTIMS reconciliation far easier, whatever method you use.