Cameroon Tax Calculator (2026)

Income tax rates and take-home pay for Cameroon

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Cameroon Income Tax Brackets (2025)

Bracket Income Range Rate
Standard rate: 0 to XAF 2,000,000FCFA 0 - FCFA 2,000,00011.0%
Rate: XAF 2,000,001 to XAF 3,000,000FCFA 2,000,001 - FCFA 3,000,00016.5%
Rate: XAF 3,000,001 to XAF 5,000,000FCFA 3,000,001 - FCFA 5,000,00027.5%
Top rate: above XAF 5,000,000FCFA 5,000,001+38.5%

Personal allowance: FCFA 500,000

National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) - Old Age Pension

Bracket Income Range Rate
NSIF rate 4.2%FCFA 0+4.2%

Capped at FCFA 9,000,000 per year

Cameroon Housing Fund - Employee

Bracket Income Range Rate
Housing Fund rate 1%FCFA 0+1.0%

Capped at FCFA 9,000,000 per year

Council Tax

Fixed amount: FCFA 30,240 per year

Applies when income exceeds FCFA 500,000

CRTV Royalty

Fixed amount: FCFA 13,000 per year

Key Facts

Tax Year

2025

Currency

XAF

Top Rate

38.5%

Brackets

4 brackets

Allowance

FCFA 500,000

Social Contributions

2 items

Assumptions

  • · Model assumes resident employee subject to standard PIT on employment income.
  • · Progressive PIT brackets applied to net income after standard deduction of XAF 500,000.
  • · Employee social contributions (NSIF 4.2%, Housing Fund 1%) are deductible from gross income before PIT calculation.
  • · Social contributions are capped: NSIF at XAF 9,000,000 annually; Housing Fund at XAF 750,000 monthly.
  • · Council tax (XAF 2,520/month for salaries above XAF 500,000) and CRTV royalty (up to XAF 13,000/month for gross salary above XAF 1,000,000) are modeled as fixed monthly surcharges.
  • · Employment expense deduction of up to 30% of taxable salary is not applied in this model; only the mandatory standard deduction is used.
  • · Minimum tax rule (2.2% or 5.5% of turnover) is not applicable to regular wage earners.
  • · Model does not include VAT, property taxes, or excise duties as these are not part of employee net salary calculation.
  • · Income rounded down to nearest XAF 1,000 for PIT calculation as per regulation.

Frequently asked questions

How much income tax will I pay as an employee in Cameroon?

Cameroon uses a progressive tax system with four brackets ranging from 11% on your first XAF 2,000,000 up to 38.5% on income above XAF 5,000,000. You get a standard annual deduction of XAF 500,000 before tax is calculated, and your employee social contributions (NSIF pension and housing fund) are deductible from your gross income, which reduces your taxable base.

What are the mandatory employee contributions in Cameroon?

Employees in Cameroon must contribute 4.2% to the National Social Insurance Fund (NSIF) for old age pensions and 1% to the Cameroon Housing Fund, both calculated on gross income. These contributions are capped at XAF 9,000,000 annually for NSIF and XAF 750,000 monthly for the housing fund, and they reduce the amount of income subject to personal income tax.

Are there other taxes or fees I need to budget for as an employee?

Yes, in addition to income tax and social contributions, you'll pay a council tax of XAF 30,240 per year if your salary exceeds XAF 500,000, and a CRTV royalty of up to XAF 13,000 per month. These surcharges are applied directly to your salary and are not deductible from your income tax calculation.

How is my take-home pay calculated in Cameroon?

Your take-home pay starts with your gross salary, from which mandatory social contributions (NSIF and housing fund) are subtracted first. Then income tax is applied to the remaining amount after the XAF 500,000 standard deduction, and finally the council tax and CRTV royalty surcharges are deducted to arrive at your net pay.

Do tax rates vary by region in Cameroon?

No, the income tax brackets and rates are uniform across Cameroon, so your tax liability is the same whether you work in Yaoundé, Douala, or elsewhere in the country. However, you should verify any local or municipal taxes that may apply based on your specific employer or business registration.

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