Namibia has a progressive personal income tax from 0% to 37%, corporate income tax of 30%, VAT of 15% and a zero capital gains tax. Below are the main taxes and levies based on data from an auditor working in Namibia (October 2026), with links to a separate guide on each topic. Amounts are in N$ (Namibian dollar, NAD).
In short
- Personal income tax: a progressive scale from 0% to 37%; the first N$100,000 of annual income is not taxed.
- Corporate income tax: 30%; a cut to 28% is planned from 1 April 2027.
- Dividend tax for residents: 10%; capital gains tax: 0%.
- VAT: 15%. For non-residents dividend tax depends on the shareholding.
- Taxes and filings in a company are usually handled by an auditor rather than an in-house accountant.
All main taxes in one table
| Tax or levy | Rate | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 0–37% | progressive scale; each rate applies to the part of income above its threshold |
| Corporate income tax | 30% | a cut to 28% is planned from 1 April 2027 |
| Corporate tax: mining companies | 37.5% | sector rate |
| Corporate tax: diamond mining | 55% | sector rate |
| Corporate tax: oil and gas | 35% | sector rate |
| Dividend tax for residents | 10% | non-residents: see below |
| Capital gains tax | 0% | |
| Transfer duty on property, individual | 0–11% | on any property |
| Transfer duty, legal entity | 12% / 0% | 12% on residential, 0% on commercial property |
| Property tax | local councils | local councils decide the amount |
| Business Annual Duty | N$6.5 | per N$10,000 of share capital |
| VAT | 15% | |
| Tourism levy | 1% | on the cost of accommodation |
| Fuel levy | N$1.98 per litre | included in the fuel price |
Personal income tax
The scale is progressive: the higher the annual income, the higher the rate, but each rate applies only to the part of income above the threshold of its band.
| Annual income, N$ | Rate | How it applies | Tax at the top of the band, N$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to 100,000 | 0% | not taxed | 0 |
| 100,001 – 150,000 | 18% | on the amount above 100,000 | 9,000 |
| 150,001 – 350,000 | 25% | on the amount above 150,000 | 59,000 |
| 350,001 – 550,000 | 28% | on the amount above 350,000 | 115,000 |
| 550,001 – 850,000 | 30% | on the amount above 550,000 | 205,000 |
| 850,001 – 1,550,000 | 32% | on the amount above 850,000 | 429,000 |
| over 1,550,000 | 37% | on the amount above 1,550,000 | 429,000 plus 37% on the amount above 1,550,000 |
A worked example: annual income of N$600,000. The part up to N$100,000 is not taxed; N$50,000 in the 100,001–150,000 band at 18% gives N$9,000; N$200,000 at 25% gives N$50,000; N$200,000 at 28% gives N$56,000; the remaining N$50,000 at 30% gives N$15,000. The total tax is N$130,000, about 21.7% of income. How the scale works for a company owner is covered in Salary or Dividends.
Employer social payments
An employer pays separate contributions on employees' salaries. Payroll means the total salaries of a company for a period.
- Social security: 0.9%, capped at N$99 per employee per month.
- Occupational injury: from 0.9% to 8% depending on the line of business.
- Vocational training: 1% of payroll if payroll exceeds N$1 million a year.
More: employer social payments in Namibia.
Corporate income tax
The base rate is 30%. A cut to 28% is planned from 1 April 2027. Some sectors have higher rates: mining companies 37.5%, diamond mining 55%, oil and gas 35%. What happens to profit next is in Corporate Income Tax in Namibia.
Dividends, capital gains and property
- Dividends to residents: 10%. For foreigners it depends on status and shareholding: dividend tax for foreigners.
- Capital gains: tax rate 0%.
- Transfer of property (transfer duty): for an individual 0–11% on any property; for a legal entity 12% on residential and 0% on commercial property.
- Property tax: the amount is set by local councils.
- Business Annual Duty: a yearly company charge of N$6.5 per N$10,000 of share capital.
More on property: property taxes in Namibia, and the guides on buying property as a foreigner (general) and on the coast (Swakopmund and Walvis Bay).
VAT, excise and other levies
- VAT: 15%.
- Excise duties: on alcohol and tobacco.
- Customs duties: depend on the goods and the country of origin.
- Environmental levy: on cars, plastic bags, batteries and other goods.
- Fuel levy: N$1.98 per litre, already included in the fuel price.
- Tourism levy: 1% on the cost of accommodation.
Taxes for non-residents
Payments to non-residents are subject to withholding tax at these rates.
| Payment to a non-resident | Rate |
|---|---|
| Dividends where the shareholding is 25% or more | 10% |
| Dividends where the shareholding is less than 25% | 20% |
| Royalties | about 10% |
| Management and consulting services | 10% |
| Artists' fees | 25% |
| Directors' fees | 25% |
On dividends: dividend tax in Namibia for foreigners.
How it works in practice
According to local auditors' practice, four topics shape the overall tax burden of a company owner.
- An auditor instead of an accountant. The auditor calculates taxes and files returns: how it works.
- Accelerated depreciation. Company assets are written off over 5 years at 20% a year: write-off table.
- Company expenses. Medical insurance and leave for employees, including the director: what counts as an expense.
- Salary or dividends. A director's salary is in many cases more efficient than the path profit, corporate tax, dividends: comparing the two paths.
Articles in this series
- Corporate income tax in Namibia: 30%, 28% from 1 April 2027, sector rates
- Dividend tax for foreigners: resident, non-resident, the 25% threshold, residence permits
- Property taxes: transfer duty, capital gains, council rates
- Salary or dividends: two ways to take money out of a company
- Accelerated depreciation: 5 years at 20% a year
- Company expenses: insurance, leave, the director as an employee
- Auditor instead of an accountant: role, savings, tax planning
- Employer social payments: insurance, injury and training levies
For the wider picture for an investor, see doing business and investing in Namibia in 2026; the first steps after registration are described in register a company and where to start a business.
This material is provided for reference. Data as of October 2026.
FAQ
What is the corporate income tax rate in Namibia?
The base rate is 30%; a cut to 28% is planned from 1 April 2027. Mining companies pay 37.5%, diamond mining 55% and the oil and gas sector 35%.
Are dividends taxed?
Yes. Namibian residents pay 10%. For non-residents the rate depends on the shareholding: 10% at 25% or more and 20% below that; see the article on dividends for foreigners.
Is there a capital gains tax in Namibia?
The capital gains tax rate is 0%.
Does a company need an in-house accountant?
Usually not: the auditor calculates taxes and files returns. An audit firm's services cost less than the salary of one accountant.
What is VAT in Namibia?
The VAT rate is 15%.
