Section 3 of 16
HR Quick Reference
Last reviewed: October 2026
This section provides a consolidated reference for the statutory rates, thresholds, and entitlements most frequently needed in day-to-day HR and payroll administration. All figures are current as at January 2026 and should be verified annually.
Statutory Rates and Thresholds
| Item | Current Rate / Threshold |
|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | TT$20.50 per hour (effective 1 January 2024) |
| Overtime, Tier 1 | 1.5× regular rate (first 4 hours beyond normal hours) |
| Overtime, Tier 2 | 2.0× regular rate (next 4 hours) |
| Overtime, Tier 3 | 3.0× regular rate (beyond 8 hours overtime) |
| Public Holiday | 2.0× regular rate |
| Overtime threshold | Applies to workers earning up to 1.5× minimum wage |
| NIS, Total Rate | 16.2% (effective 5 January 2026) |
| NIS, Employer Share | 10.8% of insurable earnings |
| NIS, Employee Share | 5.4% of insurable earnings |
| NIS, Max Insurable Earnings | TT$13,600 per month |
| NIS Rate from Jan 2027 | 19.2% total |
| PAYE, Personal Allowance | TT$90,000 per year |
| PAYE, Rate (up to TT$1M) | 25% of chargeable income |
| PAYE, Rate (above TT$1M) | 30% of chargeable income |
| Health Surcharge, Standard | TT$8.25 per week (earnings above TT$470/month) |
| Health Surcharge, Lower | TT$4.80 per week (earnings at or below TT$470/month) |
| Health Surcharge, Exempt | Under 16; age 60+; pensioners |
| Maternity Leave | Up to 14 weeks |
| Maternity Pay, Month 1 | Full salary (employer obligation, 12+ months service) |
| Maternity Pay, Months 2–3 | Half salary (employer obligation, 12+ months service) |
| Severance, Years 1–4 | 2 weeks’ basic pay per completed year |
| Severance, Year 5 onwards | 3 weeks’ basic pay per completed year |
| Severance, Tax Exemption | Up to TT$500,000 |
| Retrenchment Notice | 45 days minimum |
| TD4 Deadline | Last day of February each year |
| PAYE Remittance Deadline | 15th of the following month |
| NIS Remittance Deadline | 15th of the following month |
| OSHA Safety Policy Required | Workplaces with 25 or more employees |
| Safety Committee Required | Workplaces with 25 or more employees |
Key Legislation Reference
| Act | Key Employer Obligation |
|---|---|
| Industrial Relations Act, Chap. 88:01 | Fair treatment, due process for discipline and dismissal, union recognition |
| Retrenchment and Severance Benefits Act, Chap. 88:13 | Severance pay, 45-day notice, ministerial notification for 5+ employees |
| Minimum Wages Act, Chap. 88:04 | Minimum wage compliance, prescribed overtime rates |
| Maternity Protection Act, Chap. 45:57 | Maternity leave entitlement and pay for qualifying employees |
| Occupational Safety and Health Act, Chap. 88:08 | Duty of care, safety policy and committee (25+ employees), incident reporting |
| Equal Opportunity Act, Chap. 22:03 | Non-discrimination in all employment decisions |
| National Insurance Act (Chap. 32:01), Chap. 32:01 | NIS registration, contribution deduction and remittance |
| Income Tax Act, Chap. 75:01 | PAYE deduction, remittance, TD4 returns by last day of February |