Withholding Tax

The Withholding of Tax is a tax charged on interest paid by any person to or for the benefit of a foreign person (which includes individuals, companies, etc) from a source within Namibia.

The foreign person is responsible for the tax, but it must be withheld by the person making the interest payment to or for the benefit of the foreign person.

Withholding Tax on Services

A resident person liable for the payment of management fee, consultancy fee, entertainment fee etc. to a non-resident is required to withhold tax at a rate of 10%.

Withholding Tax on Foreign Interest

A person who pays interest to a non-resident is required to withhold tax at a rate of 10% and pay it over to Inland Revenue Department.

The Interest to non-residents is deemed to be paid on the earlier of the actual payment or the date the interest becomes payable.

Withholding Tax on Royalties

A person who pays an amount for the use of any patent, trade mark, and motion picture film including the right to use industrial, commercial or scientific equipment to a person not being ordinarily resident in Namibia is required to withhold tax on royalties at a rate of 10%.

Due Date for payment of all these taxes and submission of tax return is within 20 days after the end of the month during which the amount was withheld.

Non-Residence Shareholders' Tax (NRST)

NRST is paid on dividends declared by a company to a shareholder who is not a Namibian resident. The tax is payable by the company declaring the dividend or the agent in Namibia who is receiving the dividend on behalf of a non-resident.

NRST rate is 10% if the beneficial shareholding company holds at least 25% of the capital and 20% of the amount in all other cases.

Penalties and Interest

A penalty of 10% and interest of 20% of the amount of withholding tax will be levied on the late payment of tax for each month or part of the month. The penalty and interest are limited to the amount of unpaid tax.

Related Tax Categories

Customs and Excise Forms

TRANSIRE FOR A DESTINATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA CE-FR-004 MULTI PURPOSE GENERAL BOND CE-FR-005 BAGGAGE DECLARATION FORM_CE-FR-008


Companies & Close Corporations

Companies and Close Corporations are required to pay tax on the profit earned and submit annual financial statements. Companies that do not trade in mining activities are taxed at a flat rate of 32%. Companies are required to make two provisional pay


I earn a monthly salary

Any person who earns a salary of more than N$ 50,000 per annum should register as a taxpayer and submit the proof of registration to their employer.  An amount contributed to an approved pension or provident fund as a con


Annual Reports

This is the inaugural Annual Report for NamRA and its Financial Statements for the financial year beginning from the date of its launch on 7 April 2021 and ending on 31 March 2022. This Report is prepared in accordance with section 31 of the NamRA Ac


NamRA Section 102 Rewards Policy

NamRA Section 102 Rewards Policy


Tax Residency Certificate Application Forms

  


Importation of Goods

Goods which are intended to be imported for use or consumption within the Customs territory must be declared for home use.  They may be declared for home use either directly on importation or after another Customs procedure such as warehous


Mining Companies

Income derived from mining operations is taxed in terms of the same rules as all the other taxpayers except in respect of capital expenditure (exploration and development expenditure) and the tax rates. The capital expenditure of a mine to be deducte


I am a farmer

Income received from selling farm animals and game, leasing land for grazing and agricultural products is taxable. A farmer will also be taxed on the livestock or produce that has been donated or consumed. Each farmer is required to indicate the num


Authorised Economic Operator

HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE AEO PROGRAMME? 1. What is AEO? AEO is an acronym for the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme in terms of which authorised economic traders are assessed and approved by the Customs Administration as complying with t


I own a one-man business

For tax purposes, all income earned from any business activities carried out in Namibia is taxable. This income is regarded as ordinary income for tax purposes. Hair Salon:  Whether the salon is operated from city centre, town, informal m


Trusts

Section 1 of the Income Tax Act specifically includes trusts in the definition of a "person". Trusts are therefore taxed according to the same tax rates and principles that apply to individuals. By way of arrangement the founder of


Public Owned Enterprises

As per Section 16(1)(a) of the Income Tax ACt, revenues earned by the Government of Namibia or any other state shall be exempt from tax. However, not all state-owned enterprises are exempt from paying tax. Specific income tax principles should be co


I am a provisional Taxpayer

Any person earning taxable income in excess of N$ 50,000 per annum that is not received in the form of remuneration is required to register as a provisional taxpayer. Any directors of a private company (including members of close corporations) are a


Exportation of Goods

Exportation is the Customs procedure applicable to goods which leave the Customs territory and are intended to remain permanently/temporarily outside, for specific reasons. The legislation dealing with exports can be found in the following sections o


Prohibitions & Restrictions

The role of Customs and Excise is to control the importation and exportation of goods entering and leaving the Country. The importation and exportation of certain goods are prohibited or restricted. The aim of prohibitions and restrictions is the pr


Joint Venture & Partnership

A joint venture involves two or more companies joining together in business, whereas in partnership, it is individuals who join together for a combined venture. For the purpose of the Income Tax Act a partnership is not recognised as a "pers


ITAS

Information Brochure - How to Register on ITAS Information Brochure - ITAS password reset


General Tax Information

Information Brochure - Tax Payments Information Brochure - General Tax Information  Information Brochure - Consequences of Non-compliance


Physical Examination of Cargo

The removal of goods to the hall, or any other premises for the purpose of examination, opening, unpacking, repacking and subsequent removal shall be performed at the risk of the importer. The importer, exporter, manufacturer or owner of any goods,


Hours of General & Special Attendence

Where the attendance of an officer is required on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays, or any time not covered by hours of services in below, the person requiring such attendance apply to the Controller on form 73 and guarantee payment of the charg


Duty remission incentives

The DRI scheme is administered by the Directorate of Customs and Excise, which has dual responsibilities. First, it is required to promote manufacturing and export trade.   Second, it must ensure that the DRI scheme is not abused. &n


Refund Procedures

This is a customs procedure which provides for the refund of import duties and taxes when goods are exported, or used for specific purposes. The Chief Accountant, Section Revenue Control is responsible for the overall management of the refund proc


General Rebates, Refunds and Drawbacks

Goods which are imported and qualify for rebate of duty may be entered for home consumption under Schedule No. 3 and Schedule No. 4. of the Act.  Schedule No.3. comprising of Industrial Rebates and Schedule No. 4, comprising of General Reba


Storage and Manufacturing Warehouses

The Permanent Secretary may in terms of Section 6(1) (c) of the Act appoint places as warehousing places where customs and excise warehouses may be established.  Section19 (1) of the Act permits the Commissioner by rule to license any Custo


Excise

This chapter concerns the production, warehousing and movement of excise goods within Namibia. The excise goods are Mineral Oils, Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages (including Beer) and Manufactured Tobacco as defined in the Customs and Excise Act, 1998


Export processing zones

A Zone provides a site where operations involving foreign and domestic merchandise can take place which otherwise might have been done abroad for tariff and trade reasons. Export Processing Zones (EPZ) are governed by an Act of Parliament, Export Pro


Transportation in bond

If a person removing goods in bond has a Customs and Excise Bond, CE 110, a provisional payment or special bond will be demanded when the bond amount is clearly inadequate to cover the potential liability to the Government of the proposed activity. I


ATA Carnets

ATA (admission temporaire/temporary admission) Carnets and Carnets De Passages En Douane (CPD) are issued by Chambers of Commerce in various nations and are internationally recognized and accepted in lieu of normal customs documents to allow the temp


Security: Bonds & Provisional Payments

The main purpose of bonds is to cover for potential duties and taxes. Security is generally given in the form of a bond. Only insurance companies or registered banking institutions may be accepted as sureties to bonds. Head Office should be consulted


Registration of Licenses & Registrants

RSA Register In order to ensure uniformity, a Register of licensees and registrants is compiled by the South Africa Revenue Service (Customs and Excise). All licensees and registrants in the Common Customs Area are shown in the Register, except Lice


Detention, Seizure and Forfeiture

Customs and Excise Officers must on regular basis deal with situations where detentions, seizure and forfeiture are necessary. Some doubts may exist as to when Customs and Excise Officers must detain, seize, or impose forfeiture on goods deemed illeg


Miscellaneous Penalties

Penalties imposed in terms of the Act are done so in accordance with   sections thereof, commonly termed the penal provisions (Sections 88 to 106). Penalties may be imposed as follows; Commissioner Customs and Excise amounts from


ASYCUDAWorld System

Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) is an integrated customs management system for international trade and transport operations in a modern automated environment. ASYCUDAWorld is an advanced software application that is designed and


Clearing Agents

Application form for the licensing of a Clearing Agent or Direct Trader Input (DTI) / Renewal of Clearing Agent License Proposed Rules for the Licensing of Clearing Agents Public Notice - Licensing of New and Existing Clearing Agents


Advance Rulings

Application Forms Request of Advance Ruling for Classification: Form A Request of Advance Ruling for Customs Valuation: Form B     Request of Advance Ruling for Origin: Form C  


Tariff Tool

NamRA Online Tariff All import and export commercial transactions require commodities or products on Customs Declarations to be classified according to an appropriate Customs Tariff Code. The tariff code is directly linked to the rate of duty payabl


Customs Procedure: Traveller's Guide Information

Customs Procedure: Traveller`s Guide Information Customs and Excise is a Department within the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), responsible to facilitate and control the movement of goods involved in international trade. D


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cargo Manifest?

What is Gross Income?

What is Value-Added Tax?

What is ASYCUDA?

What is the Export Processing Zone (EPZ)?

Who is classified as a taxpayer representative?

What is the Inspection Act?

What does re-importation in the same state mean?

What is the ATA Carnet?

What does NAMSAD mean?

What are Export Processing Zone Enterprises and Certificates?

What is a surety bond?

Continue Reading

Income Tax

Namibia has adopted a Self-Assessment System. Under this system all taxpayers are required to compute their taxable income and file tax returns by the due date on an annual basis. Income received from selling farm animals and game, leasing land for g


Employee Tax

An employer is any person who pays an amount by way of remuneration to an employee. Each person who becomes an employer is required to apply to Inland Revenue Department for registration as an employer within 14 days of becoming an employer. An empl


Value Added Tax (VAT)

VAT is levied at the standard rate of 15% on the supply of most goods and services and on the importation of goods. It is mandatory for a person who carries on a business with an annual taxable turnover above N$500,000 to apply for VAT registration.


Stamp Duty

Stamp duty is the tax placed on legal documents, usually in the transfer of assets or property These legal instruments subjec to to stamp duty include: Antenuptial or postnuptial contract; High purchase agreement; Lease agreement; Mortgage bond


Transfer Duty

Levied on the value of any property acquired by any person and payable within 6 months of the acquisition date. Acquisitions Exempt from Transfer Duty include: Property by the state, local authority, educational institution of a public character;


Freight Tax

Application for Registration for Freight Tax Return of Freight Tax Rendered by non-resident agent


Tax Types

Tax, from the Latin taxo, is a compulsory financial charge or some other type of ley imposed upon a taxpayer (an individual or legal entity) by Namibia. This section looks at the various tax types relevant to Namibia: Income Tax Income tax is a ta