A plain-English guide to rental-income tax under the Income Tax Act (Cap. 323). Rates, thresholds, deadlines, and a calculator that uses the same cash-basis formula RentBook uses to keep you compliant — month after month.
Three bands, each applying a flat rate to total gross rent (1 January – 31 December). Worked example: portfolio receiving K 1,000,000 / year — in the 16% band.
| Band | Rate | On a portfolio receiving K 1,000,000 |
|---|---|---|
|
Tax-free · Up to K 30,000 / yr
Annual gross rental income of K 30,000 or less. No monthly remittance required.
|
0%
exempt
|
— portfolio not in this band |
|
Band 1 · K 30,001 – 800,000 / yr
Final tax on total gross rent. No deductions for expenses, repairs, or agent fees.
|
4%
of total gross
|
— portfolio not in this band |
|
Band 2 · Above K 800,000 / yr
16% applied to the entire portfolio once the K 800,000 threshold is crossed.
|
16%
of total gross
|
K 160,000 16% of K 1,000,000 |
| Total owed for the year | K 160,000 16.0% effective rate · 1,000,000 portfolio | |
Rates reflect the 2026 budget as enacted in Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2025, effective 1 January 2026. Rental income is taxed separately from PAYE; you cannot offset rental losses against employment income. USD-denominated rents are converted at the Bank of Zambia mid-rate on the date the payment was received. Always confirm with a registered tax practitioner — RentBook is software, not advice.
Enter your annual gross rent — across every property you let. The calculator applies the bands above.
RentBook helps you estimate and organise rental income records based on published tax bands. It does not replace advice from a registered tax practitioner or ZRA.
Miss it and ZRA charges 5% + 2% per month — compounding.
return code · TT 04 — return type · monthlyAnnual gross of K 30,000 or less — no rental tax due, but ZRA registration is still required.
threshold · K 30,000 / year gross rental income