Income tax in South Africa (2026)
In 2026, income tax in South Africa runs from 18% to 45%. On a ZAR 800,000 salary you take home ZAR 589,842 a year, ZAR 49,154 a month.
Income tax rates
- Top rate
- 45%
- Lowest rate
- 18%
- Tax-free allowance
- None
- VAT
- 15%
- Capital gains
- 18%
The 2026 bands, in South African Rand
| Taxable income (after allowance) | Rate |
|---|---|
| ZAR 0 to ZAR 245,100 | 18% |
| ZAR 245,100 to ZAR 383,100 | 26% |
| ZAR 383,100 to ZAR 530,200 | 31% |
| ZAR 530,200 to ZAR 695,800 | 36% |
| ZAR 695,800 to ZAR 887,000 | 39% |
| ZAR 887,000 to ZAR 1,878,600 | 41% |
| over ZAR 1,878,600 | 45% |
Take-home pay by salary
ZAR 200,000: ZAR 179,820 take-home (10.1% total tax)ZAR 250,000: ZAR 220,303 take-home (11.9% total tax)ZAR 300,000: ZAR 257,303 take-home (14.2% total tax)ZAR 350,000: ZAR 294,303 take-home (15.9% total tax)ZAR 400,000: ZAR 330,458 take-home (17.4% total tax)ZAR 450,000: ZAR 364,958 take-home (18.9% total tax)ZAR 500,000: ZAR 399,458 take-home (20.1% total tax)ZAR 600,000: ZAR 464,968 take-home (22.5% total tax)ZAR 700,000: ZAR 528,842 take-home (24.5% total tax)ZAR 800,000: ZAR 589,842 take-home (26.3% total tax)ZAR 900,000: ZAR 650,582 take-home (27.7% total tax)ZAR 1,000,000: ZAR 709,582 take-home (29% total tax)ZAR 1,200,000: ZAR 827,582 take-home (31% total tax)ZAR 1,500,000: ZAR 1,004,582 take-home (33% total tax)ZAR 2,000,000: ZAR 1,294,726 take-home (35.3% total tax)ZAR 2,500,000: ZAR 1,569,726 take-home (37.2% total tax)ZAR 3,000,000: ZAR 1,844,726 take-home (38.5% total tax)ZAR 4,000,000: ZAR 2,394,726 take-home (40.1% total tax)ZAR 5,000,000: ZAR 2,944,726 take-home (41.1% total tax)
Compare with other countries
Cost of living in South Africa
Frequently asked questions
What are the income tax rates in South Africa?
Income tax in South Africa runs from 18% to 45%, in 7 bands.
Is there a tax-free allowance in South Africa?
No — South Africa has no general tax-free allowance.
What is the take-home pay on ZAR 800,000 in South Africa?
On ZAR 800,000 in South Africa you take home ZAR 589,842 a year — ZAR 49,154 a month.
2026 rules checked against sars.gov.za. Single person, employee, no other income. Not tax advice. Change the details