Zambia

Employment income

Emoluments regarded as arising from a Zambian source in respect of an employment are subject to income tax. Emoluments are deemed to be from a Zambian source if it is a remuneration from employment exercised or office held in Zambia, or if it is received by virtue of any service rendered or work or labour done by a person or partnership in the carrying on in Zambia of any business, irrespective of whether payment is made outside Zambia, or by a person resident outside Zambia.

The employer is responsible for paying the income tax arising on the emoluments under the PAYE regulations.

The definition of emoluments is wide and includes any salary, wage, overtime, leave pay, commission, fee, bonus, gratuity, benefit, advantage (whether or not capable of being turned into money or money’s worth), allowance (including inducement allowance), pension, or annuity, paid, given, or granted in respect of any employment or office, wherever engaged in or held.

Benefits provided to employees that are capable of being turned into money or money’s worth are regarded as income of the employee and are subject to PAYE. However, benefits provided that are incapable of being turned into money or money’s worth (e.g. the use of cars and accommodation provided by the employer) will be taxed on the employer rather than on the employee.

In addition to the above, the employer is required to pay a skills development levy of 0.5% of a company's total emoluments on a monthly basis.

Equity compensation

The allotment or acquisition of shares under a share option scheme that is approved by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) is exempt from income tax.

Specific rules for other share option schemes apply from 1 January 2014.

Business income

Business income is generally calculated on the same basis for individuals as companies (see the Corporate tax summary for more information).

Business income is generally determined in line with applicable accounting standards (excluding receipts of a capital nature). Expenses wholly and exclusively incurred for the purposes of the business are generally deductible, provided they are of a revenue nature rather than capital in nature.

Capital expenditure is disallowed, but capital allowances are available on qualifying capital items.

Capital gains

Zambia does not have a capital gains tax, and, except where provided otherwise in the Income Tax Act, capital gains are not subject to tax.

Dividend income

Zambian resident individuals are taxed on dividend income from both Zambian and non-Zambian sources.

In the case of dividend income received from a Zambian resident company, the WHT deducted on the payment of the dividend should represent the ‘final tax’, and the Zambian resident individual receiving the dividend should not be subject to additional income tax.

Interest income

Zambian resident individuals are generally taxed on interest income from both Zambian and non-Zambian sources.

From 1 January 2022, interest earned by individuals on interest earning accounts held at banks and institutions registered under the Banking and Financial Services Act, 2017 is exempt from tax.

From 1 January 2023, interest earned by individuals on interest earning on green bonds listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange (LuSE) with maturity of at least three years is exempt.

In the case of other Zambian-source interest income, the WHT deducted on the payment of interest should represent the ‘final tax’, and the Zambian resident individual receiving the interest is not subject to additional income tax.

Rental income

From 1 January 2022, rental income is taxed by way of turnover tax at the rate of 0% for gross rental income below ZMW 12,000, 4% for gross rental income between ZMW 12,000 and ZMW 800,000, and 12.5% for gross rental income above ZMW 800,000 per annum. The tax is payable by the landlord.

Exempt income

As noted above, capital gains and non-Zambian source income (with the exception of dividends and interest) are outside the scope of income tax.

Exempt categories of income include:

• Lump sum payments withdrawn from an approved fund at retirement age, death, or permanent incapacity.
• Approved payments for injury or sickness.
• A scholarship, bursary, or maintenance for education.
• Alimony, maintenance, or matrimonial allowance.
• A pension received from an approved fund.
• A dividend declared from farming income for the first five years the distributing company commences farming.
• Ex-gratia payments to a spouse, child, or dependant on the death of an employee.
• Lump sum payments paid to an employee on loss of office on medical grounds.
• A dividend declared by a company listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange to an individual.
• Dividends declared by a company engaged in the assembly of motor vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles for five years from the declaration of the first dividend.
• Certain payments to government employees, members of the armed forces, etc.
• Pension benefit as defined by the Constitution.