Taxes in South Africa: a guide to the South African tax system

What are your tax obligations in South Africa? We explain the South African tax system, local tax rates, filing tax returns, and VAT.

You must pay South African taxes if you work in South Africa or own a South African business. The amount you’ll pay depends on certain factors, such as whether you are a resident or non-resident.

Explore the various aspects of taxes in South Africa, including the following:

The tax system in South Africa

South Africa uses a residence-based taxation system whereby residents are taxed on worldwide income and non-residents are taxed on South African-sourced income. With 23.9 million of its 59 million-strong population registered for personal income tax, most of the state’s income comes from personal and corporate tax. Indirect taxes, though, such as Value-Added Tax do account for nearly a third of the government’s coffers.

Federal taxes in South Africa

The South African government levies a series of direct taxes on citizens and companies operating in South Africa. These include income and business taxes, capital gains, and inheritance taxes.

Indirect taxes such as Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Fuel Duty also apply, as well as contributions towards social security in South Africa.

More information on who has to pay is available from the South African Revenue Service.

Taxes on goods and services in South Africa

VAT in South Africa is levied on the consumption of goods and services. The VAT rate in South Africa is currently 15% on most goods and services and on imported goods, though there are some exceptions, for example some financial services.

Businesses are responsible for paying VAT to the government but they can pass on this charge to their customers or clients by adding VAT to the cost of invoiced goods and services.

Businesses must register for VAT in South Africa if their annual turnover exceeds R1 million within a 12-month period.

Can you get a refund on VAT?

Tourists and diplomats visiting South Africa can claim a refund of the VAT they paid on goods purchased in the country. To qualify, you’ll need to be a non-resident foreign passport holder or a South African passport holder who is now a permanent resident of another country. You can reclaim VAT when leaving the country by declaring the goods in question to a customs official.

The South African government’s guide to VAT refunds for tourists offers further information on how to make a claim.

Who has to pay tax in South Africa?

You must pay taxes in South Africa if you:

• Are a permanent or temporary resident of South Africa – if you have South African citizenship or a South African residence permit, you must pay taxes.
• Have lived in South Africa for more than 91 days in each of the last five tax years, and at least 915 days in total across those five years.
• Are a homeowner in South Africa. All homeowners (even non-residents) must register with the SARS in the event they are liable to pay capital gains tax on property.
• Earn more than R1.25 million in foreign employment income as a tax resident.

There are exemptions to these rules, for example, if you are elderly and/or make under a certain amount annually. However, if you qualify as a tax resident in South Africa, you must register as a taxpayer by visiting your local SARS branch to verify your identity, address, and bank details. You can finish the remainder of the process online.

South African tax system for foreigners

Foreign residents pay the same income tax in South Africa as local citizens. For expats relocating to South Africa, there are a number of countries that have tax treaties with South Africa, including Australia, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which can help you to avoid double taxation in your home country.

Since 1 March 2020, foreign employment income earned by a tax resident in excess of R1.25 million has been taxed in South Africa according to the tax tables for that year. This applies to residents who spend more than 183 days, of which at least 60 days are continuous, outside of South Africa in any 12-month period during that year of assessment.

Pensions

There is no tax on international pensions in South Africa. Local pensions, though, pay tax at various rates depending on whether it is a lump-sum or an annuity.  South Africa is part of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) system, a new global standard that aims to crack down on cross-border tax evasion.

Withholding tax on interest or royalties

These are two taxes apply on interest or royalties paid to or for the benefit of a foreign person outside South Africa. The South African tax rate for this is 15%. The foreign person is liable for the tax, but the person making the payment must withhold it. There are certain exemptions, however.

Filing US taxes from South Africa

Every US citizen and Green Card holder must file a tax return with the IRS even when living abroad.

Many are unaware of these obligations, thinking that as an expat they do not need to pay or file tax returns in the US. You do! For more information and help filing your US tax returns from South Africa, see our guide to filing US taxes from abroad.

Income tax rates in South Africa

Earnings received from employment income, self-employed trade, rental income, investment income, and pension income are subject to income tax. Self-employed people pay income tax at the same levels as employees in South Africa.

These are South Africa’s income tax bands for the 2023 tax year (1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024):

​Taxable income (R)	​Rates of tax (R)
Up to R237,100	18% of taxable income
R237,101–R370,500	R42,678 + 26% of taxable income above R237,100
R370,501–R512,800	R77,362 + 31% of taxable income above R370,500
R512,801–R673,000	R121,475 + 36% of taxable income above R512,800
R673,001–R857,900	R179,147 + 39% of taxable income above R673,000
R857,901–R1,817,000	R251,258 + 41% of taxable income above R857,900
R1,817,001 and above	R644,489 + 45% of taxable income above R1,817,000

Tax calculators

There are a number of online income tax calculators where you can work out how much you’ll need to pay, including those from:

• Old Mutual
• Sage
• TaxTim

How to file your income tax return in South Africa

Residents who pay taxes in South Africa have to fill in an annual tax return form and submit it to SARS. The South African tax year runs from 1 March to 28/29 February. The tax season, when people submit their tax return forms, is from July to November depending on the filing method. Individuals and business taxpayers are required to make the necessary payments along with their South African tax returns.

This will be any amount owed that hasn’t been paid through the Pay-as-You-Earn (PAYE) system, where tax contributions are automatically deducted from your wages. If you have to pay more in tax, payments can be made to SARS using any of the following methods:

• At a bank
• Via a SARS eFiling
• Via an electronic funds transfer

Keep in mind that not filing your tax return can result in a penalty ranging from R250 to R16,000 for each month that you don’t comply. Furthermore, a 2021 law made tax negligence a potential criminal offense, carrying a prison sentence of up to two years.

Self-employed income tax in South Africa

Though self-employed people are subject to income tax at the same levels as employees in South Africa, there are a few deductions you may be able to claim, for example, certain home office expenses. For information that’s more specific to your work and financial situation, be sure to consult a tax specialist.

Tax on property and wealth in South Africa

Transfer Duty

Any property acquired in a sales transaction is subject to transfer duty. Since 1 March 2023, the South African tax rates for transfer duty are progressive at the following rates:

Property value	Rates of tax
R0–R1,100,000	0%
R1,100,001–R1,512,500	3% on the value above R 1,100,000
R1,512,501–R2,117,500	R12,375 + 6% on the value above R1,512,500
R2,117,501–R2,722,500	R48,675 + 8% on the value above R2,117,500
R2,722,501–R12,100,000	R97,075 + 11% on the value above R2,722,500
R12,100,000+	R1,268,000 + 13% on the value above R12,100,000

Transfer duty is payable by the person acquiring the property and should be paid within six months from the date of acquisition to avoid incurring interest.

Tax on rental income

If you receive income from a rental property, you should declare this on your income tax. Though you will be taxed on this income, be sure to declare your expenses because certain ones – like agent fees, some insurance, and advertising – can be deducted. The SARS website has more information about tax on rental income.

Donations tax

Donations tax is a South African property tax payable on the value of any property disposed of as a donation. This is set at 20% of the property value up to R30 million, and 25% on properties valued at more. The tax is payable by the donor. It must be paid by the end of the month following the month in which the donation was made.

There are plenty of exemptions, including if the property recipient is a spouse, a segment of the government, or a public benefit organization. A donation is also exempt if the total yearly value of donations does not exceed R100,000 for individuals (R10,000 for businesses).

Capital gains tax

Capital gains tax is not a separate tax in South Africa but instead forms a part of income tax. Thus, any profit when selling an asset is subject to the same rates as South African income tax.

Inheritance tax in South Africa

Estate duty is the name for inheritance tax in South Africa, which is a property tax payable on all estates with a net worth in excess of R3,500,000. The tax rate in South Africa for estate duty is 20% of properties worth up to R30 million and is 25% of properties worth more than this.

The South African government has agreements to avoid double death duties with Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zimbabwe.

Retirement property

Those who retire in South Africa pay estate duty on property, wherever it is, in the event of their death.

Properties located outside of South Africa are exempt if they were acquired prior to residency or were inherited from or donated by someone who is not a South African resident.

Company taxes and VAT rates in South Africa

Corporate tax is payable on business income for all businesses and companies registered in South Africa. This includes:

• Listed and unlisted public companies
• Private companies
• Close corporations
• Cooperatives
• Collective investment schemes
• Small businesses
• Share block companies
• Corporate bodies
• Public benefit companies
• Dormant companies

Corporate tax in South Africa is charged at a flat rate of 28% for all companies (which will decrease to 27% for tax years ending on or after 31 March 2023). Small business corporations are taxed at lower progressive rates, starting at 7% on taxable income above R95,750, 21% for income between R365,000 and R550,000, and 28% for income exceeding R550,000.

Skills Development Levy (SDL)

SDL is a tax in South Africa payable by employers to promote learning and development of employees in South Africa. Employers become liable for SDL if their total annual salary bill is more than R500,000.

SDL is charged to employers at a rate of 1% of the total salary bill. It is paid monthly by employers to SARS and the money is used for the skills development of employees.

Dividends tax

A tax imposed on dividends payments, the dividends tax rate is 20%. This is a separate tax that is withheld from the dividend payment by the company making the payment, so is not something that needs to be accounted for nor paid by the payment recipient.

Securities transfer tax

Securities transfer tax is levied at 0.25% on every transfer of either a share or depository receipt in a company, or a member’s interest in a close corporation.

Turnover tax

Turnover tax in South Africa is an alternate, simplified method of taxation for small businesses with an annual turnover of R1 million or less. It replaces income tax, capital gains, dividends tax, and VAT in South Africa, although there is an option to remain in the VAT system.

The turnover tax rates in South Africa are progressive, as follows:

• R0–R335,000 – 0%
• R335,001–R500,000 – 1% of each R1 above R335,000
• R500,001–R750,000 – R1,650 + 2% of the amount above R500,000
• R750,001 and above – R6,650 + 3% of the amount above R750,000

Import and export taxes in South Africa

Customs duties

Customs duties are taxed on imported goods with the aim of raising revenue and protecting the local market. This tax is paid in addition to VAT and is usually calculated as a percentage of the value of goods.

Certain food, drink, textile, and firearms products may be taxed according to volume.

Excise duties and levies

Excise duties and levies are imposed on high-volume daily consumable products (e.g., petroleum, alcohol, tobacco), as well as some non-essential and luxury items (e.g., electronic equipment, cosmetics).

In addition to raising revenue, this tax exists to discourage the consumption of products considered harmful to the environment. The rates of these taxes in South Africa vary from product to product.

Other indirect taxes

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

UIF is an unemployment benefit fund payable to those who have been in employment for at least 24 hours per week if they become unemployed, sick, or take maternity leave.

It is a short-term, contribution-based benefit and is funded through contributions of 2% of the employee’s salary (1% from the employer and 1% from the employee). It is the employer’s responsibility to pay this out of employee salaries each month to SARS.

Fuel tax

The fuel tax is levied on petrol and diesel fuels. This tax can vary but, after the most recent fuel hikes, it is currently around 40% and included in the cost that consumers pay for fuel.

Tax advice in South Africa

Taxes can be complicated, especially when you’ve moved to a new country and need to get your head around the system.

The good news is that it’s possible to get professional help. If you’re filing your taxes in South Africa for the first time, it can be a smart move to employ an accountant. Likewise, you should consider taking independent financial advice on your business tax liabilities if you’re setting up a company in South Africa.

You can get professional advice from the South African Institute of Tax Professionals on a range of tax-related issues.

Useful resources

• South African Revenue Service (SARS)
• South African Institute of Tax Professionals