East & Southern Africa
South Africa: tax at a glance
This is a residence-based system that taxes worldwide income. The top personal rate is 45%, the corporate rate is 27%, and there's a capital-gains exit charge if you emigrate.
Ways to relocate to South Africa
The residency and citizenship routes that lead here, weighed against the tax picture above.
FIP
Passive income
Retired Person Visa
Retirement
Business Visa
Business & founder
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital nomad
Financial Emigration
Tax regime
Critical Skills Visa
Talent & extraordinary ability
The taxes
- Personal income (top)
- 45%
- Corporate income
- 27%
- Capital gains
- 18% max effective (40% inclusion rate x 45%)
- VAT
- 15%
- Dividends (WHT)
- 20%
- Interest (WHT)
- 15%
- Royalties (WHT)
- 15%
- Social security (employee)
- 1% UIF (capped)
- Social security (employer)
- 1% UIF + 1% Skills Development Levy
- Wealth tax
- None
- Inheritance / estate
- Estate duty 20% (25% above ZAR 30m)
- Property tax
- Municipal rates on property value; transfer duty up to 13%
- Other
- Donations tax 20%/25%
How the system works
- Tax system
- Worldwide (residence-based)
- Foreign income
- Taxed (worldwide)
- Taxes by citizenship
- No
- Exit tax
- Yes, leaving has a cost
- CFC rules
- Yes
- CRS
- Participating
- Special regime
- Foreign employment income exemption (ZAR 1.25m)
The rates below are indicative headline figures (top marginal, standard, and headline rates), reviewed 2026-07. Brackets, surcharges, and state, provincial or cantonal taxes vary. Treat this as a reference map, not advice.
Sources (1)
Frequently asked
What is the income tax rate in South Africa?
The top marginal personal income tax rate in South Africa is 45%. Progressive 18%-45%; top rate on taxable income above ~ZAR 1.82m.
What is the corporate tax rate in South Africa?
The headline corporate income tax rate is 27%.
Does South Africa tax capital gains?
Capital gains for individuals: 18% max effective (40% inclusion rate x 45%).