Corporate tax in South Africa

For self-employed workers and business owners, this guide explains corporate tax in South Africa, including corporate tax rates and dividend taxes.

If you are self-employed or a business owner, you are liable to pay South African corporate tax. However, how much business tax you pay and which deductions you can claim depends on the size and type of your business in South Africa.

This guide explains the essentials of corporate tax in South Africa, including the following topics:

The corporate tax system in South Africa

The standard tax on income for registered companies in South Africa is currently a flat rate of 28% and is collected by the South African Revenue Services (SARS), though there are different tax rates for smaller or different kinds of companies. For tax years ending on or after 31 March 2023, the tax rate will lower to 27%.

The South African government collects most of its corporate income tax from foreign companies with a branch in South Africa and from personal service provider companies.

You can register for and pay your business taxes online or at a local SARS branch.

Who pays corporate tax in South Africa?

Corporate, business, or company tax in South Africa is payable by all registered businesses in the country to the South African Revenue Service (SARS for short). Generally, South African-based businesses are liable to pay South African corporate tax on their worldwide income.

Companies based outside South Africa but operating in the country or with a branch there pay tax on income derived from within South Africa only.

The types of companies that have to pay corporate tax in South Africa include companies such as:

• Listed and unlisted public companies
• Private companies
• Close corporations
• Co-operatives
• Collective investment schemes
• Small business corporations
• Share block companies
• Corporate bodies
• Public benefit companies
• Dormant companies

Corporate tax for sole traders and partnerships

If you qualify as a self-employed or freelance worker in South Africa or if your business trades as a sole proprietorship or a partnership (or unincorporated joint venture), then you will be taxed as an individual. As a result, you must submit a personal income tax (ITR12) rather than a business tax return in South Africa.

Partnerships can be between two or more people. In such a case, each partner is taxed as an individual on their share of the partnership profits.

Corporate tax rates in South Africa

The corporate tax rate in South Africa is a flat rate of 27% for all companies. However, trusts (excluding special trusts) in South Africa pay tax at a separate rate of 45%.

Additionally, companies are subject to capital gains tax at a rate of 21.6%. Trusts pay a capital gains tax of 36%, while special trusts and individuals are liable for a rate of 18%.

Small business tax in South Africa

If you run a small business in South Africa, you have a number of options on how to register your business. Consequently, your decision will affect how you pay business tax in South Africa.

If you run the business yourself, you may wish to operate as a self-employed sole trader. However, if you wish to register the company as a separate legal taxpaying entity, you have the following options.

Register as a standard private company

This means that the company will be responsible for paying corporate tax in South Africa at the standard rate. You can also register as a Close Corporation (CC) or a Cooperative but will still pay corporate tax in South Africa at the standard rate.

Register as a micro-business for turnover tax

A self-employed person (sole proprietors and those in a partnership) or a company (including a close corporation and a co-operative) may qualify as a micro-business. To do so, the annual qualifying turnover must not exceed R1 million. This is an alternative to paying company tax in South Africa that can also simplify the tax process for your business. For example, micro-businesses have the option of paying their turnover tax, VAT, and employees’ tax bi-annually. However, some entrepreneurs are excluded from this option.

The current progressive tax rates for micro-businesses are:

Taxable turnover	Rate of tax
R1–R335,000	0% of taxable turnover
R335,001–R500,000	1% of taxable turnover above R335,000
R500,001–R750,000	R1,650 + 2% of taxable turnover above R500,000
R750,001 and above	R6,650 + 3% of taxable turnover above R750,000

Register as a Small Business Corporation (SBC)

If you want to pay tax for small businesses in South Africa, you can register as an SBC if your annual turnover does not exceed R20 million, as well as meeting other criteria. Generally, SBCs are taxed at a lower rate of corporate tax in South Africa than other companies.

SBC tax rates for 1 April 2023 through 31 March 2024 are:

Taxable Income	Rate of Tax
R1–R95,750	0% of taxable income
​R95,751–R365,000	7% of taxable income above R95,750
R365,001–R550,000	R18,848 + 21% of taxable income above R365,000
R550,001 and above	​R57,698 + 27% of the amount above R550,000

Special rates apply in certain industries, such as mining and long-term insurance.

More information on how to register your business is available from the South African Revenue Service as well as in our guide to starting a business in South Africa.

Turnover tax in South Africa

Turnover tax is an alternative simplified method of business tax in South Africa because it is a tax for small businesses in South Africa with an annual turnover of R1,000,000 or less. It replaces corporate income tax, VAT, capital gains, and dividends tax 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:

Turnover​	Rate of tax
0–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

Corporate tax exemptions and credits in South Africa

Corporate tax exemptions in South Africa

Organizations operating as a not-for-profit or as a public benefit organization are exempt from paying corporate tax in South Africa. For other businesses, the following charges can be deducted from taxable income as allowable business expenses:

• Business expenses: all outgoings incurred as part of running the business. This includes material and equipment costs, employee costs, administration costs, business rental costs, office supplies, travel, uniforms, wholesale purchase costs for goods resold, financial charges, utilities, legal fees, marketing, and promotion.
• Capital expenses: such as capital equipment, machinery, and renovation costs.
• Start-up expenses: expenditure incurred for business purposes in the period before the commencement of the first year of trade, provided these are expenses that would have qualified as deductible business expenses within the general operation of the business.
• Net operating losses: any losses carried forward from previous years.

Corporate tax credits in South Africa

In addition to these, the following credits and incentives are available for companies paying corporate tax in South Africa:

• Foreign tax credit: for South African residents, any taxes paid on foreign-sourced income can be claimed back as a tax credit, provided this income has been included on the tax return. Furthermore, some countries have a tax treaty with South Africa to prevent double taxation.
• Research and development (R&D): R&D costs within South Africa are 150% deductible, subject to government approval.
• Headquarter company regime: certain exemptions and benefits offered to companies using South Africa as a headquarters location, subject to certain company requirements.
• Industrial policy projects: an incentive for manufacturing businesses (excluding those dealing in alcohol, tobacco, arms, and biofuels) participating in energy-efficient projects. Tax allowances include up to 55% of the cost of any manufacturing asset used in the project (not exceeding R900 million) as well as a training allowance.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZ): for businesses operating in any of the country’s SEZs, there is a reduced corporate tax rate of 15% along with a 10% allowance towards new/unused building costs and reduction of employees’ tax.
• Energy efficiency savings: a deduction equating to R0.95 for each kilowatt-hour saved during the tax year.
• Venture capital companies: a tax incentive for investors in small and medium-sized businesses through venture capital.

VAT in South Africa

VAT is an indirect tax payable by some companies in South Africa. The VAT rate in South Africa is currently 15% on the supply of most goods and services (with some exemptions) and on imported goods.

Businesses must register for VAT if their annual turnover exceeds R1,000,000 but they can also register voluntarily if they wish.

Corporate tax year in South Africa

The tax year in South African runs from 1 March to the end of February of the following year. For businesses, you are required to submit an annual tax return between July and November for the previous tax year. You are also required to submit two provisional tax returns – one in the first half of the year, and the second by the end of the year – containing estimates of income earned for the current tax year.

All companies have to pay their taxes using the provisional tax system. This is completed in three installments. The first two payments are based on estimates and are made at six-monthly intervals during the tax year. The final payment is made along with the final annual tax return, consisting of the balance owed for that tax year.

Company tax in South Africa can be paid in the following ways:

• Online banking
• Electronic funds transfer
• Bank payments
• eFiling
• SWIFT payment (available only for foreign payments)

How to file your corporate tax return in South Africa

Firstly, in order to pay business tax in South Africa, you must register your business or yourself as a taxpayer. Then, SARS assesses your business tax return in a similar fashion to personal income tax.

The business tax return form in South Africa is the ITR14. You can file your company income tax return via eFiling or at a local SARS branch.

You will need your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code when filing the business tax return form.

Other types of business tax in South Africa

Pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) for employees

This is an individual income tax on the salary of employees in South Africa, taxed at a progressive rate dependent on the employee salary, but has to be withheld by the employer. If you have employees, then you must arrange their PAYE contributions and make the regular payments to SARS. You can get more information about registering for PAYE from the South African Revenue Service.

For information about income tax rates and tax deductions for employees, you can also read the Expatica guide to income tax in South Africa.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

The 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 benefit that is funded through contributions of 2% of the employee’s salary (1% from the employer and 1% from the employee).

Skills Development Levy (SDL)

SDL is a tax in South Africa payable by employers to promote the learning and development of employees in South Africa. Employers become liable for SDL if their total annual salary bill is more than R500,000. It is charged to employers at a rate of 1% of the total salary bill.

Dividends tax in South Africa

Dividends tax in South Africa applies to dividend payments for shareholders at 20%. It is a tax levied on the payee but withheld by the company making the payment. If your company has shareholders who receive dividends payments, you are responsible for deducting tax from the payment and submitting it to SARS.

Foreign business owners

If you are a foreign resident with a business based in South Africa, you will be liable to pay corporate tax in South Africa on its worldwide income. However, if you have a non-resident company – a company that has a branch or establishment in South Africa but is based elsewhere for tax purposes – then you only pay company tax in South Africa on income earned inside the country. This tax applies at the standard rate of 28% (decreased to 27% for tax years ending on or after 31 March 2023), unless you register as an SBC or for turnover tax.

Furthermore, if you are an expat who qualifies as a tax resident in South Africa, your home country may have a tax treaty with South Africa. If not, then you may be able to claim foreign tax credits on taxes paid on foreign income. Read more about the South African tax system.

Corporate tax advice in South Africa

Corporate terminology and business taxes can quickly become complicated, even when you’re on native soil. When you’re operating a business in a foreign country, the stakes become much higher.

Avoid becoming overwhelmed by getting professional help. Also, keep in mind that the time and money you save by sidestepping costly mistakes is impossible to quantify.

To find a tax professional near you, or to access a tax helpline, consult the South African Institute of Tax Professionals.

Useful resources

• South African Revenue Service
• South African Institute of Tax Professionals
• SARS eFiling