Cyclin-dependent kinase which displays CTD kinase activity and is required for RNA splicing. Has CTD kinase activity by hyperphosphorylating the C-terminal heptapeptide repeat domain (CTD) of the largest RNA polymerase II subunit RPB1, thereby acting as a key regulator of transcription elongation. Required for RNA splicing, probably by phosphorylating SRSF1/SF2. Required during hematopoiesis. In case of infection by HIV-1 virus, interacts with HIV-1 Tat protein acetylated at 'Lys-50' and 'Lys-51', thereby increasing HIV-1 mRNA splicing and promoting the production of the doubly spliced HIV-1 protein Nef. {ECO:0000269|PubMed:16721827, ECO:0000269|PubMed:1731328, ECO:0000269|PubMed:18480452, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20952539}. This is the function of CDK13 (cyclin dependent kinase 13, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000065883).