Last Updated: April 2026
South Africa's income tax system is residence-based — South African tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where it was earned. This has become a critical issue for South African expatriates since 2020, when a full foreign employment income exemption was replaced by a partial exemption capped at R1.25M per year.
This guide covers South Africa's PAYE tax rates and brackets, the primary rebate and age rebates, the foreign employment income exemption (Section 10(1)(o)(ii)), provisional tax for non-PAYE income, tax residency rules, and what South African expats need to know about their ongoing SARS obligations.
According to SARS (South African Revenue Service), income tax rates for the 2025 tax year (1 March 2024 – 28 February 2025) are:
| Taxable Income (ZAR) | Rate |
|---|---|
| R1–R237,100 | 18% |
| R237,101–R370,500 | 26% |
| R370,501–R512,800 | 31% |
| R512,801–R673,000 | 36% |
| R673,001–R857,900 | 39% |
| R857,901–R1,817,000 | 41% |
| Above R1,817,000 | 45% |
The primary rebate (R17,235 in 2025) reduces the actual tax payable. This effectively creates a tax-free threshold: R17,235 ÷ 18% = R95,750 — meaning the first approximately R95,750 of income is effectively tax-free for taxpayers under 65. Additional rebates for persons aged 65–74 (R9,444) and 75+ (R3,145).
Prior to 1 March 2020, South African tax residents working abroad for qualifying employers (183+ days per year, including 60+ continuous days) enjoyed a complete exemption from South African tax on their foreign employment income. This changed significantly:
Foreign employment income is exempt up to R1,25M per year. Income above R1.25M is fully taxable in South Africa at normal progressive rates. For a South African resident earning R3M in Dubai (where there is no local income tax): R1.25M exempt; R1.75M taxable in South Africa. Tax at 41–45%: approximately R700,000–R787,500 in South African tax on the taxable portion.
The R1.25M cap has led thousands of South Africans working in the Gulf, UK, Australia, and elsewhere to formally cease South African tax residency (financial emigration or simply establishing non-resident status with SARS). The 'financial emigration' process was replaced in 2021 — now individuals simply notify SARS of their change in tax residency, and a deemed disposal (exit tax) on worldwide assets applies.
South Africa uses two tests to determine tax residency:
You are ordinarily resident in South Africa if South Africa is where you have your permanent home — the country to which you would naturally return after travelling or working abroad. This is a subjective test based on intention and life ties.
Even if not ordinarily resident, you become a South African tax resident if you are physically present in South Africa for:
To cease South African tax residency: formally change your status with SARS and notify them of the day you stopped being ordinarily resident. A deemed disposal of all assets at market value occurs on the date of cessation — triggering a tax on all unrealised capital gains (exit tax). This can be a significant liability for those with appreciated South African property, pension funds, or investments.
South Africa includes a portion of capital gains in taxable income (inclusion rate) rather than taxing them separately:
South Africa's effective CGT rate of 18% for individuals is broadly competitive with many developed countries, though the deemed disposal on emigration creates a potentially large triggering event for departing residents with significant appreciated assets.
Dividends paid by South African companies are subject to a 20% Dividends Withholding Tax (DWT) deducted at source. The DWT is final — no additional income tax is payable by the recipient. SA residents receiving SA dividends pay only 20% and the dividend is not included in their taxable income. DWT rates are reduced by DTA for non-residents: typically 5–15% depending on the treaty. The DWT replaced the secondary tax on companies (STC) in 2012 — the current one-tier system is cleaner than the old STC regime.
South Africa's tax year runs from 1 March to 28/29 February. Key dates:
Most PAYE employees are captured by SARS's auto-assessment process using data from employers and financial institutions. Individuals with non-employment income (rental, investments, foreign income, freelance) must file a full return (ITR12). Failure to file can result in penalties of R250–R2,000 per month.
CountryTaxCalc.com is reader-supported. When you use our partner links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate partnerships
★ 4.8 Trustpilot · 1,625 reviews
South African expats with ongoing SARS obligations, US citizens in South Africa, and those navigating the R1.25M exemption need specialist cross-border advice. Greenback's CPAs handle complex multi-country tax situations for expats worldwide.
⚠ Not the cheapest option — best for complex situations and expats who want a dedicated CPA.
Get Expat Tax Help →★ 4.3 Trustpilot · 287,413 reviews
Send remittances to South Africa or convert ZAR to foreign currencies at real exchange rates. Wise saves 3–5% vs banks on ZAR/GBP or ZAR/USD transfers. Hold multiple currencies and use the Wise card globally. No monthly fees.
⚠ For currency exchange only — not a bank account replacement.
Open ZAR & USD/GBP Accounts →Since 1 March 2020, South African tax residents working abroad can exempt only the first R1.25M of foreign employment income per tax year. To qualify, you must: be a South African tax resident; render services outside South Africa for your employer for more than 183 days in a 12-month period, including at least 60 continuous days; your income must be paid for those foreign services. Income above R1.25M is subject to normal South African PAYE rates (up to 45%). For high earners in Gulf states (where local tax is zero), this means a significant South African tax bill on the portion above R1.25M. Many high earners have responded by formally ceasing South African tax residency.
Prior to 2021, 'financial emigration' was a formal Reserve Bank process to change South African exchange control residency status. This process was replaced. Now, to cease South African tax residency, you simply: formally notify SARS that you have changed tax residency status (file a declaration of non-residency); a deemed disposal is triggered — all worldwide assets are treated as sold at market value on the date of cessation, and capital gains tax applies to unrealised gains. Retirement annuities and pension funds can be accessed earlier by non-residents. The exit tax can be significant for individuals with large SA property or investment portfolios — professional advice before departure is strongly recommended.
If you remain a South African tax resident (ordinarily resident in SA or meeting the physical presence test), yes — South Africa taxes your worldwide income. For South Africans in the UAE (zero income tax locally): employment income above R1.25M is taxable in South Africa. For those in Australia or the UK: Double Taxation Agreements determine which country has primary taxing rights and provide FTC mechanisms to prevent full double taxation. However, if SA rates are higher than your Australian or UK tax, you may still owe the difference to SARS. Many South Africans working long-term abroad formally cease SA tax residency to avoid ongoing SA obligations — subject to the exit tax on departure.
Yes. South Africa has DTAs with both the UK and USA. South Africa-UK DTA: coordinates tax for SA nationals working in the UK and UK nationals in SA. Employment income is taxed where work is performed; dividends are subject to 5–15% withholding. South Africa-USA DTA: US citizens in SA still owe US worldwide tax; FTC and FEIE apply. South Africa-UAE: there is a DTA with the UAE, though the UAE has zero local income tax, the DTA helps South African residents claim treaty protection. SA has DTAs with approximately 80 countries in total.
Non-residents with rental income from South African property are taxed in South Africa on that income as SA-source income. Non-residents: tenants (if paying a non-resident landlord) are required to withhold a percentage (generally 7.5–15% depending on entity type) and pay it to SARS as Non-Resident Landlord Withholding Tax. Non-residents must also register with SARS and file a provisional tax return if their rental income exceeds the registration threshold. The rental income is taxed at non-resident rates (progressive, same schedule as residents, but without the primary rebate in most cases). South African property gains on sale: taxable in SA regardless of residency (the DTA source rule applies — SA-located real property gains taxed in SA).