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Payroll and Benefits Guide Tanzania

Last updated: Jul 12, 2021

Currency
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)
Employer Taxes
15.00%
Payroll Frequency
Daily/ Weekly / Bi-Weekly / Monthly
Employee Costs
10.00%
Capital
Dodoma
Date Format
mm/dd/yyyy
Fiscal Year
1 July - 30 June

Contributions

Employer

Employer Payroll Contributions

15.00% Total Employment Cost
4.00% Skills Development Levy
1.00% Workers Compensation Fund
10.00% Workers Compensation Fund

Employee

Employee Payroll Contributions

10.00% Total Employee Cost
10.00% National Social Security Fund
When applicable Higher Education Student Loan Board

Employee Income Tax

Mainland:
0.00% 0.00 TZS-270,000 TZS
9.00% 270,001.00 TZS- 520,000.00 TZS
20.00% on the excess of 520,001 TZS + 22,500.00 TZS 520,001.00 TZS-760,000.00 TZS
25.00% on the excess of 760,001 + 70,500.00 TZS 760,001.00 TZS- 1,000,000.00 TZS
30.00% on the excess of 1,000,001.00 TZS + 130,500.00 TZS 1,00,001.00 TZS and over
Zanzibar:
0.00% 0.00 TZS- 180,000.00 TZS
9.00% 180,001 TZS– 360,000 TZS
20.00% on the excess of 180,001 TZS + 16,200 TZS 360,001 TZS- 540,000 TZS
25.00% on the excess of 360,001 TZS + 52,200 TZS 540,001 TZS + 720,000 TZS
30.00% on the excess of 720,001 TZS + 97,200 TZS 720,000 TZS and over

Employer taxes

Highest
Lowest

Employee taxes

Highest
Lowest

Minimum Wage

General

The monthly minimum wage varies by industry, from 40,000 TZS for domestic workers, TZS to 400,000 TZS for industries such as financial services, telecommunication, and international companies.

MINIMUM WAGE (PER MONTH)

Highest
Lowest

Payroll

Payroll Cycle

In Tanzania, employees can be paid daily, weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly.

Employees who are paid on a monthly basis receive their salary no later than the end of the month.

13th Salary

There are no provisions in the law regarding 13th salaries.

Working Hours

General

A full work week is 45 hours or up to 9 hours per day. In Tanzania, employees may be required to work 6 days a week.

Overtime

Overtime must be agreed upon between the employee and employer, however, the total number of hours worked in a day cannot exceed 12 hours.

In addition, overtime is limited to 50 hours in a 4-week period and is paid at the rate of at least 150% of the regular pay rate.

For work on public holidays, the pay rate is 200% of the regular pay.

Working Week

Monday–Friday

Leave

Paid Time Off

Employees who have been employed for at least 6 months are entitled to 28 days of consecutive leave per year.

Vacation Days
Public Holidays
Highest
Lowest

Public Holidays

There are 15 public holidays in Tanzania.

Sick Days

Employees are entitled to 126 days of paid sick leave within a 36-month cycle. The first 63 days of sick leave are paid at 100% of the regular salary and thereafter, 50% of the regular salary.

In order to be entitled to sick leave and pay, the employee must provide a medical certificate.

Maternity Leave

Mothers are entitled to 84 days of paid maternity leave. For the birth of more than one child, the entitlement is 100 days of paid maternity leave.

The mother must inform her employer at least 3 months from the expected due date.

PAID MATERNITY LEAVE (DAYS)

Highest
Lowest

Paternity Leave

Fathers are entitled to 3 days of paid paternity leave within the first 7 days of the birth of the child.

Termination

Termination Process

In Tanzania written notice must be provided upon termination that includes the reason and termination date.

Notice Period

  • During the first month of employment- 7 days’ notice
  • For an employee who is employed on a daily or weekly basis– 4 days
  • For an employee who is employed on a monthly basis- 28 days

It is also possible to pay the employee in lieu of notice.

Severance Pay

In order to be eligible for severance pay, the employee must have worked for at least 12 months. Severance pay is equal to 7 days’ pay for every year of employment and is capped at 10 years.

Probation Period

The probation period in Tanzania is not outlined in the law, however, the law states that an employee cannot claim unfair dismissal if terminated within the first 6 months of employment.

VISA

VISA

In order to work in Tanzania as a third-party national, a work permit and residence permit must be obtained.

  • Class A: For third-party national employees who want to invest in the industry, mining, forest, social services, and business.
  • Class B: Foreigners employed by a company or institution who have a desired profession.
  • Class C: For missionaries, students, volunteers

Residence permits must be applied for through the Directory of Immigration Services.

To apply to work in Tanzania, the application is submitted by the employer. A filled-out application form, passport copy, passport photos, bank information proof, signed employment contract, curriculum vitae copy, academic records.

Once everything has been submitted and an application fee has been paid, the process to obtain the visa usually takes up to 2 months.

VAT

General

18% standard rate.

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Payroll and Benefits Guide
in Tanzania

What’s covered in this guide:

  • Employer/employee contributions
  • Minimum wage
  • Working hours
  • Visa requirements

And more...

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All questions are answered by our in-house compliance department working in conjunction with our local in-country partner for this specific country

Public Holidays Calendar

Tanzania 2022
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Day Date Holiday Notes
Saturday Jan-1 New Year's Day
Thursday Dec-1 Zanzibar Revolutionary Day
Monday Jul-4 The Sheikh Abeid Amani Karume Day
Monday Feb-27 Good Friday
Monday Feb-27 Easter Monday
Monday Feb-27 Union Day
Wednesday Jan-5 Labor Day
Saturday Feb-5 Festival of Breaking the Fast
Thursday Jul-7 Saba Saba
Wednesday Sep-7 Feast of the Sacrifice
Monday Aug-8 Nane Nane Day
Sunday Jul-10 Birth of the Prophet
Monday Feb-27 Nyerere Day
Monday Sep-12 Independence Day
Monday Feb-27 Christmas Day
Monday Feb-27 Boxing Day