Sierra Leone

{"ftc_utility":"high","fbar_trigger_notes":"US expats working in Sierra Leone will typically hold accounts at local banks such as Rokel Commercial Bank, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, or branches of pan-African banks. Any account exceeding USD 10,000 in aggregate at any point in the year triggers FBAR (FinCEN 114) filing. Sierra Leone uses the Leone (SLL/SLE after redenomination); account balances must be converted to USD at the Treasury year-end rate for FBAR purposes.","ftc_utility_reason":"Sierra Leone taxes resident individuals on worldwide income at rates up to 30%. US expats who do not use the FEIE, or who have income exceeding the FEIE limit, can use the Foreign Tax Credit to offset Sierra Leone income taxes paid against US federal tax liability. The 30% top rate generally exceeds or equals US rates for many income levels, making the FTC an effective tool to reduce or eliminate US tax on Sierra Leone-sourced income.","presence_day_count_notes":"Sierra Leone does not impose restrictive entry or residency visa caps that would prevent a US citizen from maintaining 330 days of physical presence in a 12-month period. Standard visitor and work permits are available. The 330-day count is generally achievable for those on work assignments, though the security environment (Level 2 advisory as of 2025) should be factored into relocation decisions.","typical_qualifying_method":"either","housing_exclusion_available":true,"physical_presence_test_applies":true,"estimated_housing_exclusion_usd":18000,"local_tax_rate_on_earned_income":0.3,"bona_fide_residence_test_applies":true}

{"pension_income":{"notes":"Foreign pension income received by Sierra Leone tax residents is subject to income tax at progressive rates up to 30%. Locally sourced pension income from the Sierra Leone Social Security Scheme (NASSIT) is also taxable, though some exemptions may apply to smaller pension amounts within the zero-rate bracket (up to SLL 500,000 per month).","tax_rate":0.3,"locally_taxed":true},"social_security":{"notes":"No bilateral tax treaty between the US and Sierra Leone. US Social Security payments received by a Sierra Leone tax resident could be treated as foreign pension income and taxed at progressive rates. No treaty exemption or reduced rate applies.","locally_taxed":true,"treaty_protection":false},"roth_distributions":{"notes":"No US-Sierra Leone tax treaty exists. Roth IRA distributions are not recognized as a special category under Sierra Leone tax law and would be treated as foreign income subject to normal progressive rates. The tax-free character recognized in the US is not automatically respected locally.","locally_taxed":true},"us_401k_ira_distributions":{"notes":"Sierra Leone and the United States do not have a bilateral income tax treaty. US 401k and IRA distributions received by a Sierra Leone tax resident are treated as foreign-source pension or employment income and are subject to Sierra Leone income tax at progressive rates up to 30%. No treaty relief is available.","tax_rate":0.3,"locally_taxed":true,"treaty_protection":false}}

{"rate":0.3,"notes":"Sierra Leone does not have a standalone capital gains tax. Gains on disposal of assets are generally folded into taxable income and subject to the standard progressive income tax, with a top rate of 30%.","details":{"tax_type":"Capital Gains Tax","country_name":"Sierra Leone","country_iso_code":"SLE","source_references":["Sierra Leone Income Tax Act 2000 (as amended)","National Revenue Authority (NRA) Sierra Leone","KPMG Africa Tax Centre"],"last_verified_date":"2026-06-03","general_description":"Sierra Leone does not levy a separate capital gains tax. Gains derived from the disposal of capital assets are treated as ordinary income under the Income Tax Act 2000 (as amended) and taxed at progressive rates up to 30%. Certain gains on land and buildings may attract specific withholding provisions under the NRA framework.","corporate_capital_gains":{"rate":0.3,"tax_treatment":"Taxed as ordinary corporate income at the standard corporate tax rate of 30%."},"individual_capital_gains":{"rate":0.3,"tax_treatment":"Taxed as ordinary income at progressive rates up to 30%. No preferential CGT rate exists for individuals."}}}

{"notes":"Dividends paid by Sierra Leone resident companies to individuals are subject to a final withholding tax of 10%. For non-residents, a 10% withholding tax also applies. No additional tax is levied at the shareholder level once WHT is deducted.","rates":[{"rate":0.1,"type":"withholding","notes":"Final withholding tax on dividends paid to resident individuals - 10% under the Income Tax Act."},{"rate":0.1,"type":"withholding","notes":"Withholding tax on dividends paid to non-resident individuals and companies - 10%."}]}