Complete Guide to South African Tax
Calculators, guides, and resources for every tax obligation
South Africa operates a residence-based tax system administered by SARS. Whether you're an individual taxpayer, sole proprietor, or company director, understanding your tax obligations is essential. This resource hub brings together all of Accounter's tax calculators, how-to guides, and educational content in one place — so you can find exactly what you need.
Free Calculators
Calculate instantly — no signup required
Income Tax Calculator
Calculate your annual income tax obligations based on current SARS tax brackets and rebates.
VAT Calculator
Calculate VAT amounts for invoices, expenses and financial planning. Support for standard and zero-rated supplies.
Provisional Tax Calculator
Estimate provisional tax payments, deadlines and penalty risk for 1st and 2nd periods.
Turnover Tax Calculator
Calculate turnover tax and compare it against income tax + VAT for small businesses.
Capital Gains Tax Calculator
Calculate CGT on asset disposals with inclusion rates, annual exclusion and primary residence exemption.
Dividends Tax Calculator
Calculate dividends withholding tax (DWT) at 20%. See net dividend after tax with DTA rate and exemption support.
Donations Tax Calculator
Calculate donations tax on gifts and donations. R100,000 annual exemption for individuals. 20% rate on excess.
SBC Tax Calculator
Calculate Small Business Corporation tax and compare with the standard 27% company tax rate. See your SBC savings.
Freelancer Tax Calculator
Calculate your tax as a freelancer or independent contractor with provisional tax estimates and deduction planning.
SARS Penalty Calculator
Calculate SARS administrative penalties for late filing and interest on late payments. See your total penalty exposure.
Tax Refund Calculator
Estimate your SARS tax refund based on income, deductions, and medical aid credits for the current tax year.
Transfer Duty Calculator
Calculate property transfer duty using current SARS rates with total transfer cost estimates including conveyancing fees.
Step-by-Step Guides
Learn how with practical walkthroughs
How to Register for VAT in South Africa
Step-by-step guide to VAT registration with SARS. Learn when you must register, what documents you need, and how to complete the process online.
How to Calculate PAYE in South Africa
Learn how to calculate PAYE tax for employees using SARS tax tables. Step-by-step guide with examples and current tax brackets.
How to File Provisional Tax in South Africa
Complete guide to provisional tax in South Africa. Learn who must pay, how to calculate payments, and deadlines for IRP6 submissions.
How to Submit a VAT Return to SARS
Step-by-step guide to completing and submitting your VAT201 return on SARS eFiling. Includes what to report, due dates, and common mistakes.
How to Claim a Home Office Deduction in South Africa
Step-by-step guide to claiming a home office tax deduction with SARS. Eligibility requirements, calculation method, and required documentation.
Key Terms Explained
Understanding the jargon
VAT (Value-Added Tax)
VAT is a consumption tax of 15% levied on most goods and services in South Africa, collected by businesses on behalf of SARS.
PAYE (Pay As You Earn)
PAYE is the system through which employers deduct income tax from employees' salaries and pay it directly to SARS on their behalf each month.
Income Tax
Income 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.
Provisional Tax
Provisional tax is a method of paying income tax in advance, in two or three instalments during the tax year, rather than as a lump sum at year-end.
Turnover Tax
Turnover tax is a simplified tax system available to South African micro-businesses with a qualifying turnover of R1 million or less per year.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Capital gains tax is a tax on the profit made when selling a capital asset such as property, shares, or a business in South Africa.
Taxable Income
Taxable income is the portion of total income on which income tax is calculated, after subtracting all allowable deductions and exemptions as defined by SARS.
IRP5 Certificate
An IRP5 is an employee tax certificate issued by employers in South Africa, summarising an employee's income and tax deductions for the tax year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the income tax brackets in South Africa for 2026/2027?
The 2026/2027 tax year has 7 brackets ranging from 18% (R0–R245,100) to 45% (above R1,878,600). Use our free Income Tax Calculator to calculate your exact liability including rebates and medical credits.
When must I register for VAT in South Africa?
VAT registration is mandatory when your taxable supplies exceed R2.3 million in any 12-month period. Voluntary registration is available above R120,000. See our Register for VAT guide for step-by-step instructions.
What is provisional tax and who must pay it?
Provisional tax is advance income tax paid in two (or three) instalments during the tax year. It applies to taxpayers who earn income other than a salary, including sole proprietors, freelancers, and companies. Use our Provisional Tax Calculator to estimate your payments.
How do I calculate capital gains tax in South Africa?
CGT is calculated on the capital gain (selling price minus base cost) at your marginal tax rate, after applying the annual exclusion of R40,000. Companies include 80% of the gain; individuals include 40%. Our CGT Calculator handles all the details.
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