What is Pay As You Earn (PAYE)?

Last Updated: 17 May, 2024 - Print

Pay As You Earn (PAYE) is the method of collecting Income Tax from employees on their earnings. The employer deducts PAYE when the payments are made. It could be weekly, fortnightly or monthly hence the name Pay As You Earn.

 

Who is eligible to PAYE?

Any employer who pays an employee in excess of K150, 000 per month or K1, 800, 000 per year is liable to deduct PAYE and remit to MRA.

 

PAYE rates

With effect from 19th April 2024, the monthly rates used to charge PAYE are as follows:

• The first K150, 000 is taxed at 0%

• The next K350,000 is taxed at 25%

• The next K2, 050,000 is taxed at 30%

• The excess of K2,550, 000 is taxed at 35%

When should an employer register their employees who are eligible for PAYE?

Any employer who employs people whose earnings are in excess of K150, 000 per month or K1, 800, 000 in a year, is required to register.

Upon registration, MRA will supply the employer with registration forms (Form P1) where all the details concerning the employer are filled.

You will also be supplied with Form P4 where all details for the employee are filled.

The employer is also required to indicate the number of employees who are eligible for PAYE within a period of 21 days after becoming an employer.

In case of changes, for example, an employee has resigned, the employer is required to communicate to MRA within 14 days upon making those changes.

 

MRA will also give the employer Form P12. This is a monthly payment form that should always accompany any PAYE payments to MRA every month.

Usually, a booklet of 12 copies of Form P12 is supplied to the employer to cover a period of one fiscal year.

 

What other details does Form P1 contain?

·         The name of the organisation

·         The name of the officer (employer’s representative) or public officer who will be handling taxation issues on behalf of the organisation or company.

·         Name of other places where the employer has offices or branches.

·         Number of employees who earn more than K150, 000 per month or K1, 800, 000 per annum.

·         A declaration by the employers’ representative that the information given is correct.

·         Physical and postal addresses and contact numbers of the taxpayer.

 When and where should PAYE be paid?

The deduction of PAYE from an employee’s earnings becomes due at the time when earnings are given to employee.

The amount of tax deductable should be remitted to MRA not later than the 14th day from the end of the month during which the tax was deducted. Payment can be made through cash, bank certified cheque, or direct electronic transfers.

 

How to calculate PAYE:

If an employee receives a gross salary of K500, 000.00 per month his/her tax will be calculated as follows:

Taxable Income                                     Rate                                                  Total

 K500, 000.00

 

First K150, 000.00 at                                   0%                                             = 0.00

Balance K350, 000.00

Tax on next K350, 000.00 at                      25%                                         =K87, 500.00

Balance  K0.00

 

Total tax payable is K0.00 + K87, 500.00 = K87, 500.00

Summary

Gross salary                       Tax payable                                                 Net salary

K500, 000.00                        K87,500.00                                                   K412, 500

 

NOTE: “Remuneration” means any amount of taxable income which is paid or payable to an employee as salary, leave pay, an allowance, wages, overtime pay, a bonus, a gratuity, a commission, a fee, an emolument, pension, superannuation, a retiring allowance or a stipend

 

PAYE bracket for high income earners

If an employee receives a gross salary of K7,000, 000.00 per month his/her tax will be calculated as follows:

Taxable Income                              Rate                                      Total

 K7, 000, 000.00

 

First K150, 000.00 at                                  0%                                            = K0.00

Balance K6, 850, 000.00

Tax on next K350, 000.00 at                   25%                                          =K87, 500.00

Balance K6,500,000

Next K2, 050, 000 at                               30%                                           = K615, 000.00

Balance K4,450,000

Excess of K2, 550,000                             35%                                          = K1,557,500

Summary

Gross salary                                    Tax payable                                     Net salary

K7, 000, 000.00                                K2, 260, 000.00                                K4, 740, 000.00

 

 Advantages of PAYE to taxpayers

• It is convenient to pay while the money is available.
• It is easy and cost effective to pay.
• Affords the taxpayer to pay by installments other than having the burden to pay a lump sum.

 

What would happen to an employer who fails to remit or register their employees who earn more than K150, 000 per month or K1,800, 000 in a year?

Any employer who fails to remit or register their employees who are eligible for PAYE would be asked to: Pay all taxes due from the time he/she would have registered their employees plus 20% penalty of the taxes defaulted for the first month and a further sum of 5% per month or part thereof for the period during which the amount of the tax remains unpaid.