Short answer: Enter the Control Unit invoice number in the live checker on this page, or scan the invoice QR code. Match the returned supplier, invoice number, date, tax and total. If KRA does not return invoice details, do not rely on the PDF alone—check the number and ask the supplier for the KRA-accepted receipt details.
Step-by-Step
1. Find the CU invoice number
Locate the Control Unit invoice number in the KRA receipt details. Do not use the supplier's internal invoice reference unless it is clearly the same value.
2. Check it on this page
Enter the CU invoice number in the checker near the top of this guide. Risiti sends the lookup to KRA and returns the available invoice details here.
3. Scan the QR code as a second route
Open the invoice and locate the QR code near the receipt or control-unit details. Scan it with your phone camera or a trusted QR reader and follow the KRA verification result.
4. Compare every material detail
Match the seller name and PIN, buyer PIN where applicable, invoice number, date, line items, taxable amount, tax amount and final total with the PDF or receipt.
5. Act on a missing or mismatched result
Keep the document and payment evidence, ask the supplier for the accepted eTIMS receipt or correction, and avoid altering the PDF yourself. Contact KRA when the supplier cannot resolve a material discrepancy.
What This Invoice Checker Can Confirm
The tool returns the supplier name, CU invoice number, invoice date, total, taxable amount and tax amount available from the KRA response. Compare the displayed amounts with the original receipt, and investigate any missing or unexpected zero amount using the official KRA result or issuing solution.
The embedded result does not display every invoice field. Compare seller and buyer PINs, line items and correction records using the original receipt, the official QR result or the issuing solution. A matching total alone does not establish that all details are correct or that a purchase qualifies for a tax deduction.
| Checker result | What it establishes | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| KRA returned a record | There is a matching lookup response for that CU number | Compare the returned supplier, date and amounts with the original document. |
| No matching record returned | This lookup did not return that number | Check the CU number and ask the supplier for the accepted receipt. This result alone does not prove fraud. |
| KRA lookup unavailable | Verification could not be completed | Keep the receipt and try the official KRA service or retry later. Do not mark it invalid solely because of an outage. |
| Try again shortly | The lookup is temporarily rate limited | Wait before another request; repeated attempts will not establish acceptance. |
Where to Find the CU Invoice Number
The Control Unit invoice number identifies the electronic receipt recorded through eTIMS. It normally appears in the receipt or KRA details area and may be labelled CU Invoice No., Control Unit Invoice Number, or shown using returned control-unit and receipt references.
A supplier may also display its own internal invoice number. That number is useful for the supplier's records but is not automatically the value required by KRA's checker. If the label is unclear, ask the supplier which value is the KRA CU invoice number.
QR-Code Verification
- ✓Open the original PDF or a clear, uncut receipt image.
- ✓Locate the QR code close to the eTIMS receipt details.
- ✓Scan it and inspect the destination before continuing.
- ✓Confirm that the result belongs to KRA and describes the invoice you are checking.
- ✓Compare the result with the document; a QR code that opens is not enough if the seller or amounts differ.
Manual Invoice-Number Verification
KRA's current eCitizen service provides an Invoice Number Checker for a Control Unit invoice number. The embedded checker above sends that number to the same KRA endpoint and returns the response on this page.
Manual verification is especially useful when the printed QR code is damaged, a camera cannot focus, or you are checking an invoice on the same phone that displays it.
Seller PIN Verification
Compare the returned supplier name with the business that supplied the goods or services. The embedded checker does not display the seller PIN: obtain it from the original receipt, the official QR result or the issuing solution. A trading name can differ from a registered legal name, so confirm the relationship rather than rejecting a legitimate invoice on the name alone.
Stop and ask for clarification when the PIN belongs to an unrelated entity, a different branch cannot be explained, or the supplier refuses to identify the legal seller.
Buyer PIN Verification
When the purchase needs to be associated with your business, confirm that the buyer PIN is your business PIN and was transmitted correctly. KRA's own validation guidance notes that the invoice checker includes buyer-detail fields that help identify errors early in the tax period.
A missing or wrong buyer PIN is not fixed by typing it onto the PDF. Ask the supplier to use the correction workflow supported by the solution that issued the original invoice.
Compare the Total and Tax
| Field | What must match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Items or services | Description, quantity and line amount | Shows the KRA record represents the actual supply |
| Taxable amount | The amount on which tax was calculated | Exposes line or tax-treatment differences |
| Tax amount | The tax total for the transaction | A mismatch may indicate the wrong tax type or amount |
| Total | The final invoice amount | Should agree with the document and commercial transaction |
| Date | The sale or receipt date | Helps identify a reused or unrelated receipt |
Why a Valid-Looking PDF May Still Be Wrong
A PDF can contain a logo, professional layout, invoice number and QR-shaped image without representing an accepted KRA transaction. Visual quality is not the verification test.
The reliable check is whether the QR or official checker returns the corresponding electronic invoice and whether its seller, buyer and amounts agree with the document.
Why an Invoice May Not Be Found
| Possible reason | What to do next |
|---|---|
| Wrong number entered | Find the CU invoice number rather than the supplier's local reference and try once more. |
| Invoice is pending or failed | Ask the supplier to confirm the KRA status and provide the accepted receipt after submission completes. |
| QR image is damaged | Use the manual checker or request the original PDF. |
| Seller issued a normal PDF | Ask for the actual eTIMS receipt and returned KRA details. |
| Recent system delay or outage | Keep the record, retry later, and ask the supplier not to create an unexplained duplicate. |
| Invoice was corrected | Request the linked credit note and replacement invoice so the audit trail is complete. |
What to Ask the Supplier For
- ✓The accepted eTIMS receipt or unchanged PDF generated from the issuing solution.
- ✓The CU invoice number and confirmation that the status is submitted or accepted.
- ✓A correction through the original solution if the seller, buyer, items, tax or total are wrong.
- ✓The linked credit note and replacement invoice if the original transaction was reversed.
- ✓A response in writing when the invoice cannot be verified, so your accounts team can keep a clear trail.
Realistic Mismatch Example
A hardware supplier emails a PDF for KES 58,000. The QR result shows the correct seller PIN but a total of KES 5,800 and no buyer PIN. The PDF should not be filed as if it matches KRA's record.
The buyer should send the supplier the two conflicting values, request a correction in the original eTIMS solution, and retain the incorrect invoice, correction record and final accepted invoice together. The buyer should not edit the total or buyer PIN in a PDF editor.
Message to Send a Supplier When Details Do Not Match
You can adapt this request: Please confirm the accepted eTIMS receipt for invoice [your reference], dated [date]. The document shows [amount/detail], while the KRA lookup shows [amount/detail or no result]. Please send the CU invoice number and unchanged accepted receipt, or the linked correction documents if the invoice was corrected.
Send the request through your existing supplier contact. Keep the original document, lookup date and reply together so the discrepancy can be resolved without losing the transaction history.
Printable eTIMS Invoice Checklist
- ✓I used the embedded KRA lookup or an official kra.go.ke or ecitizen.kra.go.ke destination.
- ✓The CU invoice number in the result matches the invoice.
- ✓The seller name and KRA PIN match the supplier.
- ✓The buyer PIN is correct where it applies.
- ✓The date and item or service details match.
- ✓The taxable amount, tax amount and total match.
- ✓The invoice is accepted, not merely draft, pending, retrying or failed.
- ✓I saved the final invoice with payment evidence and any correction documents.
Related eTIMS Tasks
Official sources
Official guidance and legislation used to prepare this guide.
Frequently asked questions
Open a question to read the answer.
How do I verify an eTIMS invoice online?
Enter the CU invoice number in the live checker on this page, or scan the invoice QR code. Then compare the returned supplier, invoice date and amount details with the document.
Is the seller's invoice number the CU invoice number?
Not necessarily. A supplier may show an internal invoice reference as well as the Control Unit invoice number. Use the field labelled for the CU or KRA receipt details.
What if the QR code works but the amount is different?
Treat that as a mismatch. Keep the evidence and ask the supplier to correct the transaction through the original eTIMS solution. Do not edit the PDF.
Can Risiti verify invoices issued by another seller?
The embedded tool passes the CU invoice number to KRA's official checker and displays KRA's response. Risiti at getrisiti.com is independent invoicing software from PesaStack Limited and is not KRA's separate Risiti Legit verification app.
Updated: 14 Sept 2026. Source-check scope and limitations, where recorded, appear below. This guide is not tax or legal advice. Confirm unusual cases with KRA or a qualified tax professional.