Company tax in Zambia: rates and returns
Companies in Zambia pay corporate income tax at a headline rate of 30% (10% agriculture, 35% telecoms), administered by ZRA. VAT is charged at 16%. Rates are set in the budget and change, so confirm the current figure with ZRA.
What you file
- 1 An annual corporate income tax return to ZRA.
- 2 VAT returns (16%) if registered — compulsory once turnover passes set by ZRA.
- 3 Employee taxes monthly if you pay salaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the corporate tax rate in Zambia?
The headline corporate income tax rate in Zambia is 30% (10% agriculture, 35% telecoms) (administered by ZRA). Confirm the current rate with ZRA.
More on Zambia
- Register a company — Zambia
- VAT / sales tax — Zambia
- Hiring staff — Zambia
- Start a business — Zambia
- Data protection — Zambia
- Tax clearance — Zambia
- Empowerment / B-BBEE — Zambia
- Licences & permits — Zambia
- Payroll & employee tax — Zambia
- Importing & customs — Zambia
- Annual returns — Zambia
- Full Zambia compliance guide
Company tax elsewhere in SADC
Want this handled, or tracked for you?
Use the free tools, or let NanoLeap take it off your plate.
Reviewed June 2026 from official sources. General information only — confirm with ZRA or a registered professional.