South African
tax calculators.
Work out VAT on any amount, calculate capital gains tax on property or shares, check customs duty on imports, and see what SARS takes from a pension withdrawal.
SA tax snapshot — 2026
- Standard VAT rate
- 15%
- CGT annual exclusion
- R40k
- Max income tax rate
- 45%
Tax calculators
VAT Calculator
Add or remove South Africa's 15% VAT from any amount instantly. Works for both VAT-exclusive and VAT-inclusive prices — and shows the VAT portion clearly.
OpenCapital Gains Tax
CGT on property, shares, and other assets. R40,000 annual exclusion and 40% inclusion rate applied. Includes primary residence exclusion of R2m.
OpenCustoms Duty
SARS duty and VAT on imports from Shein, Temu, Amazon or any overseas order. Full 2026 Schedule 1 rates — the old R500 exemption no longer applies.
OpenPercentage Calculator
Find X% of a number, work out what percentage one number is of another, calculate percentage change, and add or subtract a percentage. Four modes in one tool.
OpenIncome & retirement tax
Income tax is automatically deducted through PAYE for most employees. But pension withdrawals, two-pot claims, and freelance income all require their own SARS calculations — often at your marginal rate.
Pension Withdrawal Tax
SARS tax on pension or provident fund withdrawals — both retirement and early exit lump sums, using the stepped lump-sum table.
OpenTwo-Pot Withdrawal
Exact SARS marginal-rate tax plus fund admin fee on a savings-pot withdrawal — and what actually hits your bank account.
OpenPAYE Tax Calculator
Monthly and annual take-home pay after PAYE, UIF, and pension deductions for the 2026/2027 tax year.
OpenHow tax works in South Africa
1. PAYE is deducted at source
Employers deduct income tax (PAYE) from your salary every month and pay it to SARS on your behalf. The amount is calculated using progressive brackets — the more you earn, the higher the marginal rate, up to 45% above R1.8m.
2. VAT is on everything you buy
South Africa's 15% VAT is included in the shelf price of almost everything. Basic foodstuffs (bread, milk, eggs, fresh produce) are zero-rated. Imports carry both customs duty and 15% VAT on the landed value.
3. CGT is a tax on asset profits
When you sell an asset (property, shares, business) at a profit, SARS taxes the gain. The first R40,000 is excluded each year. After that, 40% of the gain is added to your taxable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
Tax guides
All guides →Frequently asked questions
What taxes does SARS collect in South Africa?
SARS administers several major taxes. Income tax (PAYE for employees, provisional tax for self-employed) is the largest — taxed at marginal rates up to 45% for incomes above R1.8m. VAT at 15% applies to most goods and services. Capital gains tax applies when you sell assets at a profit, with a 40% inclusion rate and R40,000 annual exclusion. Customs duty applies to imported goods, using Schedule 1 rates that vary by product category (0% for smartphones, 45% for clothing). There are also transfer duty (on property), estate duty, and dividends tax.
What is the difference between VAT and income tax?
Income tax is levied on what you earn — salary, business profit, rental income, freelance income. It is calculated progressively, with higher earners paying a higher percentage. VAT is a consumption tax on what you spend — it is built into the price of most goods and services at 15%, collected by the seller and paid over to SARS. Most employed South Africans pay both: income tax via PAYE (deducted from their salary by their employer) and VAT on every purchase they make.
Do I need to submit a tax return in South Africa?
You must submit an annual income tax return (ITR12) if your income exceeds R500,000 for the tax year, if you have more than one source of income, if you have income other than a salary (freelance, rental, investments), or if SARS specifically requests one. Employees whose only income is a single salary below R500,000 and whose PAYE has been correctly deducted are generally exempt from filing. Returns are submitted via SARS eFiling or at a SARS branch.
How does SARS tax a second job or side income in South Africa?
Any income beyond your main salary is taxed at your marginal rate — there is no separate tax bracket for second jobs. SARS adds all your income sources together and taxes the combined total on the progressive tax tables. For a main salary of R30,000/month, additional freelance income of R5,000/month is taxed at the marginal rate that applies to the R35,000 bracket. If your employer is not aware of the second income, they cannot withhold the correct PAYE — meaning you will owe SARS the difference when you file your annual return.
About our data
VAT rate sourced from the VAT Act (15% standard rate, effective 1 April 2018). CGT inclusion rate and annual exclusion from SARS Eighth Schedule (Income Tax Act). Customs duty rates from SARS Schedule 1, updated March 2026. Tax brackets and rebates from the 2026 National Budget (effective 1 March 2026). Calculators are planning estimates — verify with SARS or a qualified tax practitioner.