SARS Tax Brackets 2026/27: How Much Income Tax You Pay and What You Take Home
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026. Figures apply to the 2026/27 tax year (1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027).
Short answer: South Africa's tax brackets for 2026/27 run from 18% to 45%. For this tax year, SARS adjusted all seven brackets for inflation by 3.4%. If you're under 65, you pay no income tax on earnings up to R99,000 a year (about R8,250 a month), thanks to the primary rebate of R17,820. On a R30,000 monthly salary, PAYE is about R4,681 a month, and take-home pay is about R25,142 after UIF.
Key takeaways
- Tax year: 1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027.
- All seven brackets adjusted by 3.4% for inflation.
- Tax threshold: R99,000 (under 65), R153,250 (65–74), R171,300 (75+).
- Primary rebate: R17,820 a year.
- UIF: 1% of pay, capped at R177.12 a month.
SARS tax brackets for 2026/27
| Taxable income (per year) | Tax |
|---|---|
| R1 – R245,100 | 18% of taxable income |
| R245,101 – R383,100 | R44,118 + 26% of income above R245,100 |
| R383,101 – R530,200 | R79,998 + 31% of income above R383,100 |
| R530,201 – R695,800 | R125,599 + 36% of income above R530,200 |
| R695,801 – R887,000 | R185,215 + 39% of income above R695,800 |
| R887,001 – R1,878,600 | R259,783 + 41% of income above R887,000 |
| R1,878,601 and above | R666,339 + 45% of income above R1,878,600 |
Tax rebates and thresholds
| Age | Rebate | Tax threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Under 65 | R17,820 (primary) | R99,000 |
| 65 to 74 | + R9,765 (secondary) | R153,250 |
| 75 and older | + R3,249 (tertiary) | R171,300 |
How much tax will I pay each month?
| Monthly salary | Annual tax | PAYE a month | UIF | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R8,000 | R0 | R0 | R80 | R7,920 |
| R15,000 | R14,580 | R1,215 | R150 | R13,635 |
| R30,000 | R56,172 | R4,681 | R177 | R25,142 |
| R50,000 | R132,907 | R11,076 | R177 | R38,747 |
Under 65, no medical aid, retirement fund or other deductions.
Worked example: R30,000 a month
- Annual income: R360,000, which falls in the R245,101 – R383,100 bracket.
- Tax before rebate: R44,118 + 26% × (R360,000 − R245,100) = R44,118 + R29,874 = R73,992.
- Minus the primary rebate of R17,820 = R56,172 a year, or about R4,681 a month.
- UIF is capped at R177.12 a month, so take-home pay is about R25,142.
How can I pay less tax legally?
- Retirement contributions: pension, provident and retirement annuity contributions are deductible up to 27.5% of income, capped at R350,000 a year.
- Medical scheme fees tax credit: a fixed monthly credit for you and your dependants, plus additional medical expenses credits.
- Tax-free savings account: returns are tax-free within the annual and lifetime limits.
- Travel allowance and work expenses if you keep a proper logbook and records.
Do I need to file a tax return?
If you earn a single salary under the filing threshold and have no other income, you may not need to file. Many taxpayers are auto-assessed by SARS during filing season (usually July to October). Always check your auto-assessment on SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp, because it may miss deductions such as retirement annuities or medical expenses.
Next steps
Compare your pay with the average salary in South Africa, and browse accounting and finance jobs or all the latest jobs in South Africa.
Sources
- South African Revenue Service (SARS), rates of tax for individuals, 2026/27
- National Treasury, Budget 2026
- Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), contribution ceiling
This article is general information, not tax advice. Check your own position with SARS or a registered tax practitioner.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the SARS tax brackets for 2026/27?
There are seven brackets from 18% to 45%. Income up to R245,100 is taxed at 18%, and the top rate of 45% applies above R1,878,600. All brackets were adjusted by 3.4% for inflation.
What is the tax threshold in South Africa for 2026/27?
R99,000 a year for people under 65, R153,250 for those aged 65 to 74, and R171,300 for those aged 75 and older.
How much tax do I pay on R30,000 a month in South Africa?
About R4,681 a month in PAYE, or R56,172 a year, for someone under 65 with no deductions. Take-home pay is about R25,142 after UIF.
What is the primary rebate for 2026/27?
The primary rebate is R17,820 a year. People aged 65 and older get an extra secondary rebate of R9,765, and those 75 and older a tertiary rebate of R3,249.
How much UIF is deducted from my salary?
Employees pay 1% of their pay to UIF and employers pay another 1%. The employee contribution is capped at R177.12 a month.
How can I reduce my income tax in South Africa?
Contribute to a pension, provident fund or retirement annuity (deductible up to 27.5% of income, capped at R350,000 a year), claim medical scheme tax credits, and use a tax-free savings account.
Author
SARS tax brackets for 2026/27: all seven rates from 18% to 45%, the R99,000 tax threshold, rebates, UIF and take-home pay examples from R15,000 to R50,000.