Take two offers. Offer A pays TZS 1,200,000 and the commute costs 5,000 a day for 22 days. Offer B pays 1,000,000 plus a 100,000 housing allowance, and the commute costs 2,000 a day. After PAYE and 10% NSSF, A leaves 928,000 and B leaves 864,500. After the commute, A leaves 818,000 and B leaves 820,500. The offer with TZS 100,000 less on paper puts TZS 2,500 more in your pocket each month.
How the tool treats allowances
It adds cash allowances to your pay and taxes them, because TRA lists allowances as employment income for private sector staff. It also takes 10% NSSF on the whole amount. Your employer may work out NSSF on a smaller figure, so ask, and read your payslip once you start.
What to ask before you choose
Take your time with the answers, and ask for each offer in writing before you resign from anything.
- Is the post permanent or a fixed term? Severance isn't due when a fixed term simply ends.
- What is the basic pay? Overtime, notice pay and severance are worked out on basic wage, so TZS 400,000 basic plus 600,000 allowances isn't the same as TZS 1,000,000 basic.
- Does the employer pay NSSF at 10% and 10%, at 15% and 5%, or all of it?
- Is there medical cover for your family? The tool can't price that for you.
- Is either offer below the sector minimum in GN 605A? It must not be.
Questions people ask
Should I count transport allowance as money I keep?
Count it as pay, then type your real commute cost as a cost. The tool does both, so you see what is left.
Can an offer be below the minimum wage if I agree to it?
The order sets the minimum for the sector and category, and an employer may pay more, not less. Check the figure with our minimum wage checker.
Does this cover a job in Zanzibar?
TRA prints the same monthly bands for Zanzibar, but your pension fund may differ there and we have not confirmed its rates. Treat the answer as rough.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026.