Freelancer rate
Sri Lanka freelancer rate calculator for 2025/26
Find an hourly or deliverable rate that covers non-billable time, expenses, platform fees, and APIT.
How is a freelance rate calculated?
Monthly billable hours = billable hours per day × billable days per month. Required revenue after platform fees = profit before APIT + monthly expenses. Required gross before platform fees = required revenue after platform fees ÷ (1 − fee percentage). Minimum hourly rate = required gross ÷ monthly billable hours. For deliverable pricing, divide required gross by deliverables per month instead.
How is standard monthly APIT estimated?
The calculator applies IRD Table 01 to monthly taxable freelance profit: Rs 0 up to Rs 150,000; income × 6% − Rs 9,000 up to Rs 233,333; × 18% − Rs 37,000 up to Rs 275,000; × 24% − Rs 53,500 up to Rs 316,667; × 30% − Rs 72,500 up to Rs 358,333; and × 36% − Rs 94,000 above that.
How much do I take home at Rs 2,500 per hour?
At 6 billable hours a day for 20 days, monthly gross is Rs 2,500 × 6 × 20 = Rs 300,000. With Rs 5,000 expenses and no platform fee, taxable profit is Rs 295,000. APIT = Rs 295,000 × 24% − Rs 53,500 = Rs 17,300, leaving Rs 277,700.
Which official source supports the tax estimate?
Rates last verified: 12 July 2026. Indicative only; not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a freelance hourly rate?
Divide required monthly gross revenue by realistic monthly billable hours.
How do platform fees change my rate?
Gross up by dividing after-fee revenue by one minus the fee percentage.
How much do I take home at Rs 2,500 per hour?
Rs 277,700 under the worked assumptions above.
Should I count every working hour as billable?
No; count only invoiceable time.
Are EPF and ETF automatically charged to freelancers?
No; the contribution model is optional and scenario-only.