Zambia

{"ftc_utility":"high","fbar_trigger_notes":"Expats working in Zambia typically hold accounts at Zambian banks (Zanaco, Stanbic, Standard Chartered Zambia, etc.) denominated in Zambian Kwacha or USD. If aggregate balances across all foreign accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during the year, FBAR filing (FinCEN 114) is required. FATCA reporting via Form 8938 may also apply at higher thresholds.","ftc_utility_reason":"Zambia operates a worldwide income tax system for residents with top marginal rate of 37%. US expats earning Zambian-source income who pay Zambian income tax can use the Foreign Tax Credit to offset US tax liability on the same income. Given rates up to 37% versus the US top rate of 37%, FTC can substantially reduce or eliminate US tax on Zambian-source earned income.","presence_day_count_notes":"Zambia does not impose strict visa-based presence limits for most nationalities. US citizens can enter on a visa-on-arrival or standard visa for extended stays. The 330-day physical presence test is generally achievable if the individual spends that time in Zambia and other non-US countries combined. Work permit requirements apply for employed expats but do not restrict time in-country.","typical_qualifying_method":"either","housing_exclusion_available":true,"physical_presence_test_applies":true,"estimated_housing_exclusion_usd":18000,"local_tax_rate_on_earned_income":0.37,"bona_fide_residence_test_applies":true}

{"pension_income":{"notes":"Foreign pension income received by a Zambian tax resident is generally subject to progressive income tax rates up to 37%. Approved pension contributions and annuities from Zambian registered funds may receive preferential treatment, but foreign schemes such as US plans receive no such exemption.","tax_rate":0.37,"locally_taxed":true},"social_security":{"notes":"No US-Zambia totalization agreement or income tax treaty exists. US Social Security benefits received by a Zambian resident are treated as foreign pension income and included in taxable income under Zambian domestic law.","locally_taxed":true,"treaty_protection":false},"roth_distributions":{"notes":"No US-Zambia tax treaty exists. Roth distributions would be treated as foreign-source income. Zambia taxes residents on worldwide income, so Roth distributions could be subject to income tax, though the after-tax nature of Roth contributions provides no special recognition under Zambian domestic law.","locally_taxed":true},"us_401k_ira_distributions":{"notes":"Zambia and the US do not have a bilateral income tax treaty. Distributions from US 401(k) or IRA accounts received by a Zambian tax resident would be treated as foreign-source income and included in taxable income subject to progressive rates up to 37%. No treaty provisions exist to reduce or exempt such distributions.","tax_rate":0.37,"locally_taxed":true,"treaty_protection":false}}

{"rate":0.15,"notes":"Zambia imposes a property transfer tax of 15% on gains from the disposal of land, shares, and mining rights. This is distinct from income tax and applies at a flat rate.","details":{"tax_type":"Property Transfer Tax / Capital Gains","country_name":"Zambia","country_iso_code":"ZMB","source_references":["PwC Tax Summaries - Zambia","Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)","Property Transfer Tax Act"],"last_verified_date":"2026-06-03","general_description":"Zambia does not have a formal capital gains tax in the traditional sense. Instead, the Property Transfer Tax Act imposes a 15% tax on the value of gains arising from transfers of land, shares in Zambian companies, and mining rights. The tax is levied on the realized gain (sale price minus cost basis). Transfers of shares on the Lusaka Securities Exchange may have reduced rates or exemptions depending on the transaction type.","corporate_capital_gains":{"rate":0.15,"tax_treatment":"Property Transfer Tax applies to corporate disposals of land, shares, and mining rights at 15%. Gains from other asset disposals may be included in taxable income subject to corporate income tax at 30%."},"individual_capital_gains":{"rate":0.15,"tax_treatment":"Property Transfer Tax of 15% applies to individual disposals of land, shares, and mining rights. No separate CGT regime exists for other asset categories."}}}

{"notes":"Dividends paid by Zambian resident companies are subject to withholding tax. The standard rate is 15% for dividends paid to non-residents. Dividends paid to Zambian residents are subject to withholding tax at 15%, which is generally a final tax. Dividends from companies listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange may qualify for a reduced rate of 5% to encourage investment.","rates":[{"rate":0.15,"type":"withholding","notes":"Standard withholding tax on dividends paid to residents and non-residents"},{"rate":0.05,"type":"withholding","notes":"Reduced rate for dividends from companies listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange"},{"rate":0,"type":"withholding","notes":"Dividends paid between Zambian resident companies (in certain group structures) may be exempt from withholding tax"}]}