The South African Tax Year (1 March to End February)
Tax & Compliance
Explained Simply
SARS names each tax year by the calendar year in which it ends. For example, the 2027 tax year runs from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, and the matching tax tables are often written 2026/27. Your IRP5 for that year covers the same period, and your employer deducts PAYE against it. Companies and other entities can have different financial year-ends, so a company’s year of assessment follows its own financial year. Do not confuse the tax year with the filing season, which is the period after year-end when SARS opens returns for submission.
Key dates: see SARS tax deadlines.
Free Tool
Income Tax Calculator
Calculate your annual income tax obligations based on current SARS tax brackets and rebates.
Related Terms
- Income TaxIncome tax is a direct tax levied by SARS on the taxable income of individuals, companies, and trusts in South Africa, using a progressive rate system for individuals.
- IRP5 CertificateAn IRP5 is an employee tax certificate issued by employers in South Africa each tax year, summarising gross remuneration, PAYE deducted, pension contributions, medical aid, and other payroll deductions.