Here's that example, with fares we made up to show the sum. K9,000 gross takes home K7,490 after K970 PAYE, K450 NAPSA and K90 NHIMA. Say transport costs you K40 a day for 22 days. That's K880, which leaves K6,610. K8,000 gross takes home K6,850, and K10 a day of transport is K220, which leaves K6,630.
Are housing and transport allowances taxed in Zambia?
Yes, if they're paid in cash. ZRA says all allowances and cash benefits are taxable, with a short list of exceptions. So this tool adds cash allowances to your pay before it works out PAYE. Free housing owned and provided by the employer isn't taxed, because you can't turn it into cash. Rent, electricity or school fees your employer pays on your behalf are added to your pay and taxed.
What does the number leave out?
It can't show gratuity, medical cover, hours or how secure the job is, so read the reminders under the result. Gratuity can be large. On a 24 month contract at K6,000 basic, the law gives at least K36,000 at the end, which is the same as K1,500 a month you won't see in this sum.
What should I ask before I choose?
Get each offer in writing before you resign from anything. These questions change the answer most.
- How much of the pay is basic and how much is allowances?
- Is it a long-term contract with gratuity, or a permanent job with a pension scheme?
- How long is probation?
- What are the hours, and is the site far from where I live?
Questions people ask
Is a higher basic pay better than higher allowances?
Usually, if the total is the same. PAYE and NAPSA are worked on gross, so the split doesn't change them. But overtime, gratuity and redundancy pay are all worked from basic pay. NHIMA is too, and that's the one line where a lower basic saves you a little.
What if one offer is a job in another town?
Type the extra rent, the trips home and any other new cost in the other costs box. Then you're comparing the money you'd really have left.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026.