Payslip Template Sierra Leone (Free Excel Download)

Sierra Leone Payslip Template (Free Excel Download)

A ready-to-use payslip template for Sierra Leonean employers, with the country's statutory deduction lines built in: NASSIT social security contributions (5% employee, 10% employer) and PAYE income tax withheld per National Revenue Authority bands. Copy it into Excel or Google Sheets and it is ready for your monthly payroll run.

How to Use This Template

1. Fill in the employer and employee header fields once — the NASSIT number and NRA TIN stay the same every month.
2. Enter the basic salary plus allowances and overtime.
3. Apply the NASSIT and PAYE lines exactly as shown — NASSIT first, since the employee's NASSIT share is an allowable deduction before PAYE.
4. Issue one copy to the employee and keep one for your payroll records.

Sierra Leone Payslip Template

Employer: [Company Name] | NRA TIN: [] Employee: [Full Name] | NASSIT Social Security No.: [] Designation: [] | Department: [] Pay Period: [Month / Year] | Payment Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Employer contributions (not deducted from employee):

Worked Example

Monthly basic salary: NLe 10,000 (no other allowances; annualised NLe 120,000).

• NASSIT employee: 5% × 10,000 = NLe 500 (deducted; allowable before PAYE)
• PAYE: chargeable annual income = 120,000 − 6,000 (NASSIT) = 114,000. Bands: first 6,000 at 0% = 0; next 6,000 at 15% = 900; next 8,000 at 20% = 1,600; next 10,000 at 25% = 2,500; remaining 84,000 at 30% = 25,200. Annual PAYE = 30,200, so monthly PAYE = NLe 2,516.67 (deducted)
• Net pay: 10,000 − 500 − 2,516.67 = NLe 6,983.33
• NASSIT employer: 10% × 10,000 = NLe 1,000 (employer cost)
• Total employer cost: 10,000 + 1,000 = NLe 11,000 (10% on top of basic salary)

Statutory Notes for Sierra Leone Payroll

• NASSIT (National Social Security and Insurance Trust): 5% employee, 10% employer — 15% in total, calculated on basic salary.
• The employer remits the full 15% to NASSIT within 15 days after the end of the month, accompanied by the validated monthly contribution schedule.
• The employee's NASSIT contribution is an allowable deduction before PAYE is computed.
• PAYE bands (resident individuals, annual): first NLe 6,000 nil; next 6,000 at 15%; next 8,000 at 20%; next 10,000 at 25%; excess over NLe 30,000 at 30%. Employers file monthly PAYE returns by the 15th of the following month.
• Always verify current rates and bands with NASSIT and the National Revenue Authority before each payroll year, as thresholds change.

Pro Tips

• Deduct NASSIT before computing PAYE. The order matters — the employee's 5% NASSIT share reduces chargeable income, and getting it backwards over-withholds tax.
• Keep the NASSIT number on every payslip. It is the single identifier the Trust asks for on audits and benefit claims.
• File the contribution schedule even in a nil month. NASSIT requires the validated schedule monthly, whether or not contributions were remitted.
• Separate basic salary from allowances. NASSIT is charged on basic salary, so a blended "gross" line makes the 5%/10% lines unverifiable.
• Reconcile monthly. Gross minus deductions must equal net pay to the cent; a small rounding drift across staff compounds fast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is NASSIT on a Sierra Leonean payslip? A: The National Social Security and Insurance Trust contribution: 5% of basic salary deducted from the employee, plus 10% paid by the employer — 15% in total.

Q2: Is the employee's NASSIT contribution tax-deductible? A: Yes. The employee's 5% NASSIT share is an allowable deduction before PAYE is computed, so it reduces chargeable income.

Q3: What are the PAYE tax bands in Sierra Leone? A: For resident individuals (annual): first NLe 6,000 tax-free; then 15%, 20% and 25% bands up to NLe 30,000; 30% on the excess over NLe 30,000.

Q4: When must NASSIT contributions be remitted? A: Within 15 days after the end of the month, with the validated monthly contribution schedule attached.

Q5: When are PAYE returns due? A: Employers file monthly PAYE returns with the National Revenue Authority on or before the 15th of the month following payment of staff emoluments.

Q6: What is the total cost to the employer beyond basic salary? A: 10% NASSIT on basic salary, remitted together with the employee's 5% share.