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Guide · South Sudan · Published 2026-10-11

How to file your income tax return in South Sudan

Filing your income tax return in South Sudan: who must file, the tax year and deadline, what documents you need, and what happens if you are late.

  • SSP
  • Sales tax 18%
  • TIN
  • A4
  • English

This is the general edition of this guide for South Sudan. It explains how the TIN, Sales tax and annual filing work and names South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) as the place to confirm thresholds and dates. Country-specific figures are added as each edition is reviewed.

Who must file

In most countries, anyone with income above the tax-free amount who was not fully taxed through payroll withholding must file: the self-employed, landlords, company directors and anyone with more than one income source. Companies file their own return. Check South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)'s rules for employees, who are sometimes exempt or auto-assessed.

Tax year and deadline

Every country fixes a tax year and a filing deadline a few months after it ends. South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) publishes both. Put the deadline in your calendar with a reminder a month before, because late filing is penalised even when no tax is due.

What you need

  • Your TIN and login for South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)'s online service.
  • Employment income statements from each employer showing pay and tax withheld.
  • Your invoices, bank statements and expense records if you are self-employed.
  • Certificates for pension contributions, insurance, donations and other reliefs you will claim.
  • Last year's return, to check nothing is missed.

Filing step by step

  1. Log in to South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)'s online service on eTax portal (etax.nra.gov.ss) and open the return for the year.
  2. Check any pre-filled income against your own records and add anything missing.
  3. Enter business income and allowable expenses, then reliefs and deductions with the supporting figures.
  4. Review the calculation, submit, and save the acknowledgement. Pay any balance by the payment deadline.

Penalties for filing or paying late

Under the Taxation Act 2009, tax not paid by its last day carries a 5% penalty that is applied again at the start of each further month it stays unpaid (s.37), plus interest at 120% of the commercial banks' prime lending rate, published at least once a year (s.36). A return filed late adds 5% of the tax shown on it for every month it is late, up to 25% (s.38). The penalty can be waived only for verifiable reasons outside your control.

Employees and salary tax

Employers in South Sudan withhold income tax from salaries and pay it to South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA). Keep your payslips and the annual statement; the return reconciles what was withheld against what is due, and refunds arise when too much was taken.

If you are late

Late returns attract a fixed penalty and late payment attracts interest, both set by South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA). File even if you cannot pay in full; penalties for not filing are usually heavier than for paying late, and most authorities allow instalment plans.

Questions people ask

Do I need to file if my employer already deducted tax?
It depends on South Sudan's rules. Some countries require every taxpayer to file, some auto-assess employees, others exempt employees with a single employer and no other income. The rule for South Sudan is set out above.
What if I had no income?
If you are registered with South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), you may still have to file a nil return. Failing to do so is treated as a late return in many countries.
Can I file late without a penalty?
Rarely. Some authorities allow an extension if requested before the deadline. Otherwise file as soon as possible; penalties often grow with time.
Should I use an accountant?
If you are employed with no other income, the online service is designed for you. If you run a business or have foreign income or property, an accountant usually saves more than the fee.

Sources

How this guide was made

Written from published tax-authority guidance and reviewed on 2026-10-11. Everything here is indicative rather than a ruling on your circumstances, and rules change. Confirm anything you rely on with South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) before acting on it, and tell us if you find something out of date so we can correct it.

This guide explains the rules in general terms and is not tax advice for your circumstances. Confirm your position with a qualified adviser or with South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA).