How to Calculate Pay As You Earn PAYE in Kenya

PAYE is a method of collecting tax from individuals,both Resident and Non-resident, in gainful employment.

Gains or Profits includes wages, casual wages, salary, leave pay, sick pay, payment in lieu of leave, fees, commission, bonus, gratuity, or subsistence, travelling, entertainment or other allowance received in respect of employment or services rendered.

If you are an employer you are required to register for this obligation.

As an employer you are required to deduct PAYE from your employees’ salaries and wages at the prevailing rates and remit the same to KRA on or before the 9^th of the following month.

PAYE is chargeable to persons of employment income of Kshs. 24,000 and above per month. 

What incomes are chargeable to PAYE?

• Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT)
• Non-Cash Benefit above 3,000 pm e.g. airtime
• Car Benefit
• Value of Premises provide by Employer

What incomes are not chargeable to PAYE?

• Meals provided by employer to employee not exceeding Kshs. 48,000 pa
• Subsistence, Night-out of Kshs. 2,000 per day
• Medical Cover by employer
• Pension Contribution made by employer

How is PAYE Calculated?

PAYE is computed as shown below:

Individual Tax Bands and Rates

	Monthly(in Kshs)	Annual (in Kshs)	Rates
On the first	24,000	288,000	10%
On the next	16,667	200,000	15%
On the next	16,667	200,000	20%
Above	57,334	688,000	25%
Personal Relief
	2,400	28,800

On pensions the new tax rates are:                                            

Pension Tax Bands	Annual Tax Rates
Any amount in excess of tax free amounts:
On first 400,000	10%
On next 400,000	15%
On next 400,000	20%
On any amount in excess of Ksh 1,200,000	25%

Example on Taxation of Employment Income (Monthly)                              

Gross Income from Employment	Kshs. 100,000
Less: Allowable deductions
Home Ownership Savings Plan
Mortgage Interest
Pension Contribution by Employee	Kshs. 5,000
Taxable Pay	Kshs. 95,000
First Kshs. 24,000 (Kshs. 24,000*10%)	Kshs. 2,400.00
Next Kshs. 16,667 (Kshs. 16,667*15%)	Kshs. 2,500.05
Next Kshs. 16,667 (Kshs. 16,667*20%)	Kshs. 3,333.40
Above Kshs. 57,334 (Kshs.95,000 – 57,334 )Kshs. 37,666*25%	Kshs. 9,416.50
Total Tax Payable (Before relief)	Kshs. 17,649.95
Less: Personal Relief
Monthly Personal Relief	Kshs. 2,400.00
Insurance Relief	Kshs. 0
Tax Payable (After relief)	Kshs. 15,249.95

You can also use the PAYE Calculator to determine Tax Payable.     

How do I file for PAYE?

PAYE returns are submitted online via iTax

If you have no PAYE to declare, you are required to submit a NIL return.

How do I pay for PAYE?

After filing the return online, you are required to generate a payment slip via iTax which you will present at any of the KRA appointed banks to pay the tax due.

You can make payments via Mpesa.

Use the KRA Pay bill number 572572.

The Account Number is the Payment Registration number quoted at the top right corner of the generated payment slip.

What is the penalty for late filing and paying?

Date: Return should be filed and tax payable on or before the 9th of the following month.

Penalty on late filing: Whichever is higher between, 25% of the tax due or Kshs. 10,000.

Penalty on late payment: 5% of the tax due and a late payment of 1% per month on the unpaid tax until the tax is paid in full.

Emerging Issues

• House Ownership Savings Plan is no longer an allowable deduction
• Change of Personal relief and PAYE bands
• Bonuses and Overtime paid to low income earners are now chargeable to tax
• Distinction between an employee and consultant
• Non inclusion of taxable benefits

 Filing PAYE

Is your income solely from employment?

Watch our tutorial on how to file Income Tax Returns from employment income only.

 PAYE Calculator

Find out how much is your net pay after income taxes.Calculate