Ghana PAYE Calculator 2026: SSNIT, Tax Bands and Take-Home Pay
Enter your basic monthly salary to see your SSNIT contribution, PAYE and take-home pay under the Ghana Revenue Authority's (GRA) current monthly tax bands.
Rates checked 8 Oct 2026 against official sources (listed below).
Tax bands (a month)
- GH₵0 – GH₵5880%
- GH₵589 – GH₵6685%
- GH₵669 – GH₵76810%
- GH₵769 – GH₵3,66817.5%
- GH₵3,669 – GH₵19,66825%
- GH₵19,669 – GH₵50,00030%
- Above GH₵50,00035%
Take-home pay (a month)
GH₵3,939
PAYE
GH₵786
Effective tax rate
15.7%
Taxable income
GH₵4,725
| Item | GHS |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | GH₵5,000 |
| − SSNIT (5.5%) | GH₵275 |
| Taxable income | GH₵4,725 |
| Tax on bands | GH₵786 |
| − PAYE | GH₵786 |
| Take-home pay | GH₵3,939 |
Monthly PAYE bands under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act 1178), which the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) confirmed took effect on 1 September 2026. Your 5.5% employee SSNIT contribution comes off your basic salary before PAYE is worked out; your employer adds a further 13% (18.5% combined), capped at the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of GH₵69,000 a month. Non-resident employees pay a flat 25% on chargeable income instead of these bands.
The full explanation, with worked examples and what to watch for: PAYE in Ghana 2026: Tax Bands, SSNIT and What You Take Home
About this calculator
On a basic salary of GH₵5,000, you pay GH₵275 to SSNIT and GH₵785.75 in PAYE, taking home GH₵3,939.25 — bands confirmed current under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act 1178), in force since 1 September 2026, as of October 2026.
How it's worked out
- SSNIT comes off first. Your 5.5% employee SSNIT contribution is deducted from your basic salary before GRA works out PAYE — it's one of the deductions allowed against employment income.
- What's left is taxed in seven monthly bands: nil up to GH₵588, then 5%, 10%, 17.5%, 25% and 30%, rising to 35% on chargeable income above GH₵50,000.
- Your employer pays more, but not from your pocket: a further 13% of your basic salary goes to SSNIT, for a combined 18.5%. Of that total, 13.5% is remitted to SSNIT's Tier 1 scheme and 5% goes to a licensed Tier 2 private trustee.
- High earners have a cap. SSNIT contributions apply only up to the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of GH₵69,000 a month, so the most SSNIT can take from your pay is GH₵3,795.
Frequently asked questions
What is the tax-free threshold for PAYE in Ghana in 2026?
Monthly chargeable income (basic salary minus your 5.5% SSNIT contribution) of GH₵588 or less is tax-free — about GH₵7,056 a year. The threshold rose from GH₵490 when the Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2026 took effect on 1 September 2026.
How much SSNIT do I pay in Ghana?
You pay 5.5% of your basic salary, and your employer adds a further 13%, for a combined 18.5%. SSNIT caps contributions at the 2026 maximum insurable earnings of GH₵69,000 a month, so the most you can personally pay is GH₵3,795 a month.
Does SSNIT reduce my taxable income?
Yes. The Ghana Revenue Authority deducts your 5.5% employee SSNIT contribution from your basic salary before working out PAYE, so you only pay tax on what's left.
How much tax do I pay on a basic salary of GH₵5,000 a month?
SSNIT takes GH₵275, leaving GH₵4,725 taxable. PAYE on that comes to GH₵785.75, so you take home about GH₵3,939.25.
What is the top PAYE rate in Ghana?
35%, charged on chargeable income above GH₵50,000 a month (GH₵600,000 a year). Non-resident employees pay a flat 25% on chargeable income instead of the graduated bands.
Do I pay anything else out of my salary besides SSNIT and PAYE?
Not by default. Some employers offer optional reliefs, for example for dependents, that can lower your PAYE further — check GRA's Personal Tax Relief page or your payroll department for what you qualify for.