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Saudi Arabia Tax Guide Hub 2026: Income Tax, Rates & Calculator

KEY INSIGHT
Saudi Arabia's tax reality: 0% income tax for expats—but Saudi citizens pay 2.5% Zakat. GOSI social security: 10%+ for Saudis, just 2% levy for expats. 15% VAT on purchases. Premium Residency now available (SAR 800K lump-sum or SAR 100K/year). No capital gains or inheritance tax. Corporate tax: 20% for foreign companies.
At a glance

Key Facts

Personal Income Tax
0% — no personal income tax
Take-Home Pay (Expats)
Keep 100% of salary (no employee social contributions)
Filing Deadline
No filing required for individuals
Introduction

Saudi Arabia has no personal income tax—expats keep 100% of their salary. However, Saudi citizens pay 2.5% Zakat (Islamic wealth tax) on certain assets. GOSI social security applies to Saudi nationals only: employees pay 9% pension (annuities) + 0.75% SANED unemployment = 9.75% total; employers pay 9% pension + 2% occupational hazard + 0.75% SANED = 11.75%. Expats pay zero employee contributions. Expats pay 2% GOSI levy only. 15% VAT applies to most purchases (increased from 5% in 2020). Saudi Arabia recently introduced Premium Residency—a Green Card-style program allowing non-Saudis to live and work without employer sponsorship. No capital gains tax, no inheritance tax. ZATCA administers corporate tax (20% on non-GCC foreign company profits). Filing deadline: none for individuals. Use our calculator to compare Saudi Arabia with taxable countries.

This hub links to every Saudi Arabia tax guide and calculator on CountryTaxCalc — covering income tax rates, expat obligations, and tools to calculate your take-home pay.

Section 01

Saudi Arabia Tax Guides

Detailed Saudi Arabia tax guides on CountryTaxCalc:

Section 02

Saudi Arabia Income Tax Calculator

Saudi Arabia applies No personal income tax for individuals. Use the calculator to estimate your take-home pay after income tax:

Section 03

Related Hubs

Saudi Arabia tax connects with these hubs on CountryTaxCalc:

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Saudi Arabia have any personal income tax?

No personal income tax applies in Saudi Arabia for anyone—Saudi or expat. However, Saudi and GCC nationals must pay 2.5% Zakat (Islamic wealth tax) calculated on eligible assets including cash, investments, and business holdings. This is religious obligation administered by ZATCA but functions like a wealth tax.

What is GOSI and who pays it in Saudi Arabia?

GOSI (General Organization for Social Insurance) is Saudi's social security. Saudi employees pay 9% pension (annuities) + 0.75% SANED unemployment = 9.75% total. Employers pay 9% pension + 2% occupational hazard + 0.75% SANED = 11.75% total. Expats pay zero employee GOSI contributions — only the employer pays a 2% occupational hazard levy on expat salaries. GOSI covers retirement, disability, death benefits, and workplace injuries. Expats don't receive pension benefits.

What is Saudi Premium Residency?

Premium Residency launched in 2019 allows foreigners to live and work in Saudi Arabia without employer sponsorship. Two options: permanent (SAR 800,000 lump-sum, ~$213,000) or renewable (SAR 100,000/year, ~$27,000). Benefits include property ownership, self-employment, and family sponsorship. Similar to US Green Card but without path to citizenship.

What is the VAT rate in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia introduced 5% VAT in 2018, raised to 15% in July 2020 during the oil price crash. VAT applies to most goods and services. Exemptions include basic food items, healthcare, education, and financial services. Zero-rated items include exports and international transport. Businesses above SAR 375,000 revenue must register.
Disclaimer:This hub provides general information about Saudi Arabia taxation for educational purposes only. Tax rules change frequently and individual circumstances vary. Always verify current rates and rules with the official Saudi Arabia tax authority or a qualified local tax adviser. This is not tax or legal advice.
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