South Africa income tax calculator: calculate PAYE / personal income tax due

South Africa Income Tax Calculator

Estimate PAYE and annual income tax for the 2026 tax year with rebates, retirement deductions, and medical credits.

Common scenarios (presets)Tax yearIncome input type

Annual taxable income (ZAR)ZAR

Taxable income is income after allowable deductions (e.g., retirement contributions), before applying medical tax credits.

Age on 28 Feb 2026

Show monthly PAYE estimate

PAYE is usually withheld monthly; this shows an annual-tax/12 estimate (not a payroll-exact table).

Advanced mode

Retirement fund contributions paid by you (annual, ZAR)

Includes pension/provident/RA contributions. Deductible limits apply.

Retirement contributions already included in taxable income?

If your taxable income already reflects the deduction, set this to Yes.

Medical aid covered lives you paid for

Count total people on the plan you pay for (you + dependants).

Months you paid medical aid contributions (1–12)

Annual medical scheme contributions paid (ZAR)

Total fees paid to the medical scheme for the year.

Out-of-pocket qualifying medical expenses (ZAR)

Qualifying expenses not reimbursed (per SARS rules).

Disability indicator

You, your spouse, or your child has a qualifying disability (as defined by SARS).

Taxable income for AMTC threshold (annual, ZAR)

AMTC uses taxable income (excluding certain lump sums). If you have lump sums/severance, enter the correct value here.

Results

Taxable income used0,00 ZAR

Normal tax before rebates0,00 ZAR

Age rebates applied17.235,00 ZAR

Medical scheme fees tax credit (MTC)0,00 ZAR

Additional medical expenses tax credit (AMTC)0,00 ZAR

Estimated final annual income tax0,00 ZAR

Effective tax rate0 %

Rounded to 2 decimals. Expect small differences vs SARS assessments due to payroll timing and rounding rules.

Examples

Under 65, no medical aid

Taxable income R400,000 → normal tax R86,507; less primary rebate R17,235 → final tax R69,272; PAYE ≈ R5,772.67/month.

Under 65 with medical aid (family of 4)

Taxable income R400,000 → normal tax R86,507; rebate R17,235; MTC R14,640 → final tax R54,632; PAYE ≈ R4,552.67/month.

This calculator estimates South Africa personal income tax for the 2026 tax year (1 Mar 2025–28 Feb 2026): annual tax, optional monthly PAYE, and the impact of rebates, retirement contributions, and medical tax credits. You’ll need your annual taxable income (or gross + deductions), your age, and (if applicable) retirement contributions and medical aid details. Checked/verified: 29 Jan 2026 (Europe/Madrid). Tax rules can change with budgets; always compare to your IRP5/assessment.

FAQs

Which tax year is “2026” in South Africa?

It runs from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026.

Do I pay income tax if I earn below the threshold?

Usually not, because rebates reduce tax to zero below the age-based thresholds.

Is medical aid a deduction from income?

Mostly no—SARS gives a tax credit (MTC) that reduces tax payable directly.

How do I calculate the medical tax credit (MTC) for my family?

For 2026: R364 for the first person, R364 for the second, then R246 for each additional dependant per month.

When does the Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC) apply?

It can apply if you are 65+, or if you/your spouse/child has a disability, or if your medical costs exceed SARS thresholds.

Are retirement annuity (RA) contributions deductible?

Yes, within limits—generally up to 27.5% (with a R350,000 annual cap) using Section 11F rules.

Why might my estimate differ from my payslip PAYE?

Payroll withholding can differ due to bonuses, benefit timing, fringe benefits, and SARS deduction tables.

Does this calculator cover lump sums or severance?

No—lump sums and severance have separate tables and special rules.

What if I have more than one income (side gigs, rent, interest)?

Enter total taxable income, but provisional tax and special rules may apply.

Note: This calculator provides an estimate. Rates can vary by region and change over time. It is not tax advice.

See more in calculators for South Africa.

Sources

SARS — Guide for Employers in respect of Employees’ Tax (2026)
https://www.sars.gov.za/guide-for-employers-in-respect-of-employees-tax-2026/
South African Revenue Service (SARS) · South Africa · Accessed: 2026-01-29
SARS — Medical Tax Credit Rates
https://www.sars.gov.za/tax-rates/medical-tax-credit-rates/
South African Revenue Service (SARS) · South Africa · Accessed: 2026-01-29
SARS — Additional Medical Expenses Tax Credit (AMTC)
https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/additional-medical-expenses-tax-credit/
South African Revenue Service (SARS) · South Africa · Accessed: 2026-01-29
SARS — Retirement fund contribution deductions (Section 11F)
https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/retirement-fund-contribution-deductions-section-11f2a/
South African Revenue Service (SARS) · South Africa · Accessed: 2026-01-29
National Treasury / SARS Tax Pocket Guide (2025/26)
https://www.treasury.gov.za/documents/National%20Budget/2025Mar/sars/Budget%202025%20Tax%20guide.pdf
National Treasury (South Africa) · South Africa · Accessed: 2026-01-29

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