Income tax for lawyers in Sri Lanka — Y/A 2025/2026
Client fees, retainers and appearance income with nothing withheld at source, plus interest your bank has already taxed. Work out which schedules you file and what falls due at year end.
Identify your tax profile
What did you earn this year?
Pre-filled for your profession — add what applies, skip what doesn't.
Pre-selected for Lawyer — add or remove anything that doesn't match your year.
2 of 6 selected
Common questions
- Are professional fees subject to withholding tax?
- Service fees paid by a withholding agent carry 5% WHT above the monthly threshold. That is a credit, not a final tax — the full amount still goes on your return and the 5% is offset against the slab charge.
- Do I need to pay quarterly instalments?
- Yes, once your estimated liability crosses the SET threshold. Self-assessed income has nothing withheld monthly, so the IRD collects it in four quarterly instalments due 15 August, 15 November, 15 February and 15 May.
- What records do I need for chamber expenses?
- Invoices and payment evidence for anything you deduct — chamber rent, staff, law reports, professional subscriptions. Capital items are claimed through capital allowances rather than deducted outright.
Work out a single figure instead
Income tax (IIT)
Estimate your annual liability across salary, freelance, interest and investment income — with 2025/2026 reliefs applied.
WHT on payments
Sub-contractor 5%, rent 10%, interest 10% AIT, services 5%. Pick the payment type, get the rate and the form.
Bank interest & AIT
10% Advance Income Tax withheld on deposit interest — creditable against your return, not a final tax.