Accounting and payroll in Rwanda means keeping proper books for RRA, running a compliant monthly payroll with PAYE and RSSB contributions, and producing annual financial statements. For a small company with a few staff, it is very manageable, provided someone owns the calendar. Kigali Business Setup sets up your payroll and bookkeeping system and connects you with accredited accountants who do the monthly work, so you can focus on running the business.
All rates on this page come from RRA, RSSB and official law texts as of October 2026. Rates change (the pension rate rises every year from 2027), so we check the latest figures before every payroll setup.
For the full tax bands, worked examples and payslip guide, see our PAYE calculator for Rwanda.
Monthly payroll: what you deduct and what you pay
| Contribution | Employee share | Employer share | Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pension (RSSB) | 6% | 6% | Gross salary |
| Maternity leave (RSSB) | 0.3% | 0.3% | Gross salary |
| CBHI (community health insurance) | 0.5% | none | Net salary, deducted by employer |
| Occupational hazards | none | 2% | Gross salary (secondary source: PwC) |
| RSSB medical scheme (RAMA) | 7.5% | 7.5% | Basic salary, where the employer has joined |
| PAYE | 0% to 30% | none | Taxable income |
Sources: RRA pages on RSSB contributions and PAYE; Presidential Order No. 086/01 of December 2024 for pension. RSSB says private employers need at least seven employees to join its medical scheme.
The pension increase schedule
| From | Total pension rate | Employer / employee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2025 | 12% | 6% / 6% |
| 1 January 2027 | 14% | 7% / 7% |
| 1 January 2028 | 16% | 8% / 8% |
| 1 January 2029 | 18% | 9% / 9% |
| 1 January 2030 | 20% | 10% / 10% |
Budget for this now. A company with a payroll of RWF 10 million a month pays RWF 600,000 in employer pension today and will pay RWF 700,000 from January 2027.
PAYE bands
PAYE is withheld on monthly taxable income at 0% up to RWF 60,000, 10% from RWF 60,001 to 100,000, 20% from RWF 100,001 to 200,000 and 30% above RWF 200,000. PAYE is declared quarterly by employers with turnover up to RWF 200 million and monthly above that, within 15 days after the period. Our tax declaration guide has the full calendar and penalties.
Registering as an employer
- Get a TIN. If you registered your company with RDB, you already have one. See TIN number in Rwanda.
- Register employees on Ishema, RSSB's online platform. Each new employee is given an RSSB number automatically.
- Set up payroll with the correct rates and allowances. Pension is now calculated on total gross salary, including transport allowance, according to payroll providers citing RSSB.
- Declare and pay RSSB contributions by the 15th of the following month.
- Declare PAYE with RRA on e-tax by the applicable deadline.
Foreign employees are generally in the pension scheme too. RSSB excludes seconded foreign staff only for assignments of 12 months or less. Their permits are covered on our Rwanda work permit page.
Bookkeeping: what the law requires
The 2023 tax procedures law sets record-keeping duties by turnover:
- All companies and anyone in business must keep books of account.
- Turnover RWF 2 million to 12 million: records of sales.
- Turnover above RWF 20 million: records of assets and liabilities, daily income and expenses, purchases and sales, year-end stock and transactions with related parties.
- Retention: 10 years from 1 January after the fiscal year.
Small businesses that opt into the real regime can use RRA's simplified accounting guide. Every business carrying out taxable activities must issue receipts from an Electronic Billing Machine (EBM), and VAT-registered businesses need one at each sales location.
Financial statements, IFRS and accountants
The IFRS Foundation's profile of Rwanda says companies use IFRS for SMEs, while listed companies and financial institutions use full IFRS. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), set up by Law No. 11/2008, regulates the profession and licenses accountants in public practice.
Taxpayers with turnover of RWF 600 million or more must file declarations and financial statements through professionals approved by RRA. Failing to submit certified financial statements when required can cost RWF 500,000 a month until they are submitted.
A simple monthly routine
- Week 1: record last month's sales from EBM reports and match them to bank statements.
- Week 1 to 2: run payroll, calculate PAYE, pension, maternity and CBHI, and pay salaries.
- By the 15th: declare and pay RSSB contributions, and PAYE and VAT if you file monthly (quarterly filers do this after each quarter).
- End of month: file invoices and receipts so they can be found for 10 years.
Our accounting and payroll support
We are not an accounting firm. We coordinate the work and connect you with ICPAR-licensed accountants who sign off where the law requires it. A typical setup includes:
- [ ] Chart of accounts and bookkeeping software or a simple spreadsheet system
- [ ] EBM setup and monthly reconciliation to bank statements
- [ ] Payroll template with current PAYE, pension, maternity and CBHI rates
- [ ] Ishema and e-tax access in your name
- [ ] Monthly or quarterly declaration calendar
- [ ] Year-end pack for the annual return due on 31 March
New to Rwanda? Start with company registration and a business bank account, then come back to payroll before your first hire.
Use the form on this page to tell us how many employees you have, your approximate monthly transactions and whether you are VAT-registered. We will propose a setup plan and a monthly quote.
Frequently asked questions
What are the RSSB pension contribution rates in 2026?
Since 1 January 2025 the pension contribution is 12% of salary, 6% paid by the employer and 6% by the employee. Under the Presidential Order of December 2024 it rises to 14% from January 2027, then by two points a year to 20% in 2030.
What payroll deductions apply in Rwanda?
Employers typically deduct PAYE income tax, the employee's 6% pension share, the employee's 0.3% maternity leave share and the 0.5% CBHI contribution on net salary. Employers also pay their own pension and maternity shares, plus occupational hazards and, where applicable, the RSSB medical scheme.
When are RSSB contributions due?
RSSB contributions are declared and paid monthly, not later than the 15th day of the following month. Late declaration or payment attracts a monthly 1.5% surcharge, and RSSB can use forced recovery. Payment can be made by mobile money, mobile banking, internet banking or at a bank.
How do I register employees with RSSB?
Employers register employees on Ishema, the RSSB online platform at ishema.rssb.rw. New employees receive an RSSB number automatically when registered. RRA guidance also notes that RSSB contributions are now declared through Ishema.
Do foreign employees pay RSSB pension?
RSSB states that all employees working in Rwanda must contribute to the pension scheme. Seconded foreign staff are excluded only for assignments of 12 months or less. Check your contract and secondment letter before running the first payroll.
Which accounting standards apply in Rwanda?
According to the IFRS Foundation's jurisdiction profile, listed companies and financial institutions use full IFRS, and other companies use IFRS for SMEs. ICPAR, the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda, adopts the standards and licenses accountants in public practice.
How long must I keep accounting records?
The 2023 tax procedures law requires books of account and supporting documents to be kept for 10 years from 1 January after the relevant fiscal year. RRA can audit past years, so keep invoices, EBM reports, bank statements and payroll records organised.