Income Tax Calculator South Africa 2026/2027
Calculate your 2026/2027 income tax, monthly PAYE, and take-home pay instantly — using the official SARS tax brackets, rebates, and medical credits.
Your Details
R
R
R
Your Results
Annual Taxable Income
R0
Annual Income Tax Payable
R0
Estimated Monthly PAYE
R0
Net Monthly Take-Home Pay
R0
Effective Tax Rate
0.0%
Marginal Tax Rate
0% (Bracket 1)
Income Allocation
Take-home
Tax
RA
UIF
Monthly PAYE vs. annual tax: This calculator shows both your annual tax liability (what you'll ultimately owe for the full tax year) and an estimated monthly PAYE deduction (what your employer would deduct each month under standard annualisation). These two figures are related but calculated slightly differently — your actual payslip PAYE may vary slightly depending on bonus timing, mid-year salary changes, or employer-specific calculation methods.
Source: SARS PAYE-GEN-01-G01 — Guide for Employers in respect of Tax Deduction Tables
Source: SARS PAYE-GEN-01-G01 — Guide for Employers in respect of Tax Deduction Tables
Rates used in this calculation
Income Tax Brackets (2026/2027)
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| R0 – R245,100 | 18% |
| R245,101 – R383,100 | R44,118 + 26% above R245,100 |
| R383,101 – R530,200 | R79,998 + 31% above R383,100 |
| R530,201 – R695,800 | R125,599 + 36% above R530,200 |
| R695,801 – R887,000 | R185,215 + 39% above R695,800 |
| R887,001 – R1,878,600 | R259,783 + 41% above R887,000 |
| Above R1,878,600 | R666,339 + 45% above R1,878,600 |
Rebates & Thresholds
| Age | Rebate | Tax-Free Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 | R17,820 (Primary) | R99,000 |
| 65 to 74 | R9,765 (Secondary) + Primary | R153,250 |
| 75 and older | R3,249 (Tertiary) + Sec + Pri | R171,300 |
Other Rates
- Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit: R376/month for main member & first dependant; R254/month for each additional.
- Retirement Fund Deduction: Limited to the lower of R430,000/year or 27.5% of remuneration/taxable income.
- UIF: 1% of gross remuneration, capped at a ceiling of R17,712/month (Max R177.12/month).
Source: SARS Budget 2026 FAQ — sars.gov.za
This calculator provides an estimate only, based on SARS Budget 2026 rates. Your actual tax liability depends on your complete financial circumstances. This is not tax advice — consult a registered tax practitioner for guidance specific to your situation.
How this calculator works
Gross income
− Retirement fund contribution (capped at lower of R430,000/year or 27.5% of remuneration)
= Taxable income
Apply 2026/2027 tax brackets → Tax before rebates
− Primary/secondary/tertiary rebate (by age)
− Medical scheme fees tax credit (if applicable)
= Income tax payable
Income tax payable ÷ 12 = Estimated monthly PAYE
The calculator applies the same progressive bracket system, rebates, and medical credits that SARS uses — meaning each portion of your income is taxed at the rate of its own bracket, not your highest bracket rate on everything.
Worked example — R30,000/month salary
Here's exactly how the calculator arrives at its answer for a R30,000/month salary, no RA contribution, no medical aid, under 65.
| Step | Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly gross salary | R30,000 | |
| Annual gross salary | R30,000 × 12 | R360,000 |
| Tax on first R245,100 | 18% | R44,118 |
| Tax on remaining R114,900 (to R360,000) | 26% × R114,900 | R29,874 |
| Total tax before rebate | R73,992 | |
| Less: Primary rebate | (R17,820) | |
| Annual income tax payable | R56,172 | |
| Estimated monthly PAYE | R56,172 ÷ 12 | R4,681 |
| Net monthly take-home pay | R30,000 − R4,681 (before UIF) | ≈R25,319 |
| Effective tax rate | R56,172 ÷ R360,000 | 15.6% |
| Marginal tax rate | (top bracket reached) | 26% |
Source: SARS Budget 2026 FAQ — sars.gov.za
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this income tax calculator accurate for 2026/2027?
Yes. This calculator uses the official SARS income tax brackets, rebates, and medical credit rates for the 2026/2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), as confirmed in the SARS Budget 2026 FAQ. Tax brackets were adjusted 3.4% for inflation — the first such adjustment since 2023/24.
Why does my calculator result differ from my actual payslip?
Small differences can occur because: your employer may apply a tax directive specific to your situation; you may have fringe benefits, bonuses, or once-off payments not entered into the calculator; or your employer's payroll system may apply annualisation slightly differently in a particular month (for example, the month a bonus is paid). This calculator gives a reliable estimate for a consistent monthly salary, but exact payslip figures depend on your specific employer's calculation.
What is the difference between my marginal rate and my effective rate?
Your marginal tax rate is the rate applied to your last (highest) rand of income — the rate of the bracket your top income falls into. Your effective tax rate is your total tax as a percentage of your total income, and is always lower than your marginal rate, because lower portions of your income are taxed at lower rates. For example, someone with a 31% marginal rate typically has an effective rate of around 16–20%, depending on income level.
Does this calculator include UIF and medical aid credits?
Yes. The calculator factors in the medical scheme fees tax credit (R376/month for you and your first dependant; R254/month for each additional dependant) if you specify medical aid members, and shows UIF (1% of salary, capped at a R17,712/month ceiling) separately in the take-home pay breakdown.
How does a retirement annuity (RA) contribution affect my result?
RA, pension, and provident fund contributions are deducted from your gross income before tax is calculated, up to a cap of the lower of R430,000 per year or 27.5% of your remuneration or taxable income. Entering an RA contribution in the calculator will reduce your taxable income, and therefore your tax payable — the saving equals your contribution multiplied by your marginal tax rate.
Is this calculator the same as what I'll see on my SARS ITR12 assessment?
This calculator estimates your annual income tax liability using the same brackets, rebates, and credits SARS applies. However, your actual SARS assessment (ITA34) is based on your complete declared income, deductions, and any third-party data SARS holds (IRP5, IT3 certificates, medical aid certificates). Use this calculator to plan and estimate — not as a substitute for filing your actual return.
Related guides and tools
Related calculators
Income tax guides
Sources:
- SARS — Budget 2026 FAQ — sars.gov.za (income tax brackets; rebates; tax-free thresholds; medical credits; RA cap — all confirmed for 2026/2027)
- SARS — Guide for Employers in respect of Tax Deduction Tables (PAYE-GEN-01-G01) — sars.gov.za (PAYE annualisation method)
- SARS — Capital Gains Tax rates — sars.gov.za/tax-rates/income-tax/capital-gains-tax-cgt/ (25 February 2026)
- Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 — Section 11F (retirement fund deduction cap)
Last reviewed: March 2026. Rates updated immediately after every Budget Speech (February).