South African Tax Help Hub publishes practical, plain-English guides on income tax, filing season, deductions, PAYE, small business tax, and tax residency for South African taxpayers.https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/south-african-tax-law-individuals/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/south-african-tax-law-individuals/Key concepts in South African individual income tax: tax year (1 March-February), PAYE as a credit, rebates vs. deductions, and how SARS assessments work.Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxincome taxtax lawPAYEprovisional taxrebatesassessmentssarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/cease-tax-residency-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/cease-tax-residency-south-africa/Ceasing South African tax residency triggers s9H deemed disposal and a CGT liability. It is not automatic on departure or financial emigration.Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTResidencytax residencycease residencyemigrationexpatsarsnon-residentSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/freelancer-vs-contractor-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/freelancer-vs-contractor-tax-south-africa/SARS looks at working arrangement substance, not the contract label. Freelancers need provisional tax; misclassified contractors create PAYE risk.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFreelancer TaxfreelancercontractoremployeePAYEprovisional taxself-employedSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-law-changes-2026-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-law-changes-2026-south-africa/2026 South African tax changes for individuals and small businesses: adjusted tax brackets, updated rebates, VAT registration thresholds, and turnover tax.Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxtax changesbudget 2026tax bracketsVATturnover taxsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/personal-income-tax-examples-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/personal-income-tax-examples-south-africa/Worked South African income tax scenarios for employees, freelancers, landlords, and pensioners - using the correct process and current-year SARS tables.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxincome taxexamplespayeprovisional taxrebatessarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/exit-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/exit-tax-south-africa/When a South African ceases tax residency, s9H deems worldwide assets disposed at market value, triggering CGT. Here is what is affected and what to prepare.Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTResidencyexit taxcapital gains taxtax residencyexpatsarsemigrationSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/double-taxation-agreements-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/double-taxation-agreements-south-africa/How South African double taxation agreements work, when DTAs matter for cross-border income, what they cannot do automatically, and which SARS pages to check.Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTResidencydouble taxationDTAtax treatyexpatsarscross-borderSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-branch-appointment-checklist/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-branch-appointment-checklist/Prepare before calling SARS: bring your original ID, tax reference number, and current contact details. Write down the exact error message first.Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling Seasonsars branchappointmentefilingprofilefiling seasonSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/irp6-provisional-tax-worksheet/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/irp6-provisional-tax-worksheet/A structured IRP6 checklist for South African freelancers: income estimation, expense records, safe harbour amounts, and eFiling submission checks.Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFreelancer TaxIRP6provisional taxfreelancerefilingsarsself-employedSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/school-fees-tax-relief-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/school-fees-tax-relief-south-africa/South Africa has no broad deduction for school fees. Disability-related educational expenses may qualify under the medical expense rules in specific cases.Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTDeductionsschool feeseducationdeductionssarsincome taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-efiling-otp-not-received/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-efiling-otp-not-received/A missing SARS eFiling OTP is almost always a contact-detail problem. Check your registered phone number and email first - and act before the filing deadline.Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling Seasonefilingotploginsarsfiling seasontroubleshootingSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/solar-energy-tax-credit-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/solar-energy-tax-credit-south-africa/South Africa's s6C solar credit: 25% of panel costs, capped at R15,000, for installations between March 2023 and February 2024. The credit has since expired.Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTDeductionssolar energytax creditsection 6CdeductionssarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-planning-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-planning-south-africa/Legal tax planning for South Africans: retirement contributions to R350,000/year, medical credits, CGT timing, and section 18A donation deductions.Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxtax planningtax reductiondeductionsretirementincome taxsouth africaSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/types-of-tax-in-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/types-of-tax-in-south-africa/South Africa's main taxes: income tax, PAYE, VAT (15%), provisional tax, CGT (40% inclusion), dividends tax (20%), donations tax, and estate duty.Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxincome taxpayevatbeginnersouth africaSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-residency-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-residency-south-africa/South African tax residency: ordinarily resident (intent-based) or physical presence test (91-day/915-day count). Residents pay tax on worldwide income.Sat, 02 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTResidencytax residencyexpatordinarily residentphysical presence testsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-efiling-login-help/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-efiling-login-help/Fix common SARS eFiling login problems including forgotten passwords, OTP issues, locked accounts, and profile access errors with this step-by-step guide.Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling Seasonefilingsarsloginotppassword resetfiling seasonSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/home-office-tax-deduction-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/home-office-tax-deduction-south-africa/South African home office deductions require exclusive use and, for employees, 50%+ of duties performed there. Learn the rules and what SARS expects.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTDeductionshome officedeductionswork from homesarsincome taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/capital-gains-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/capital-gains-tax-south-africa/South African CGT: 40% inclusion rate, R40,000 annual exclusion, R2 million primary residence exemption. Plain-English guide to how the calculation works.Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxcapital gains taxcgtincome taxinvestmentspropertysarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/auto-assessment-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/auto-assessment-south-africa/SARS auto-assessment pre-fills your tax return. Learn how it works, when to accept it, when to edit it, and what happens if you miss the deadline.Mon, 27 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling Seasonauto-assessmentefilingsarsfiling seasonincome taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/turnover-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/turnover-tax-south-africa/Turnover tax is simplified for qualifying micro-businesses. Tax is based on total turnover, not profit - no expense deductions allowed. Compare options first.Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall Businessturnover taxsmall businessmicro businesssarsvatSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/side-hustle-tax-obligations-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/side-hustle-tax-obligations-south-africa/All side hustle income is taxable in South Africa. Once non-PAYE income exceeds the threshold, provisional tax registration is mandatory.Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFreelancer Taxside hustleextra incomeprovisional taxsarsfreelancer taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/retirement-fund-contributions-deduction/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/retirement-fund-contributions-deduction/South African retirement fund deductions are capped at 27.5% of income, up to R350,000/year. Learn limits, carry-forward rules, and what SARS expects.Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTDeductionsretirementRApensiondeductionsincome taxsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/provisional-tax-registration-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/provisional-tax-registration-south-africa/Freelancers with non-PAYE income must register as provisional taxpayers with SARS. Learn who qualifies, how to register on eFiling, and IRP6 deadlines.Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTFreelancer Taxprovisional taxirp6freelancerregistrationsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/paye-emp201-emp501-irp5/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/paye-emp201-emp501-irp5/EMP201, EMP501, and IRP5 are the three payroll tax documents linking employer PAYE deductions to your SARS income tax return. Here is how they connect.Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxpayeemp201emp501irp5payrollemployerSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/medical-tax-credit-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/medical-tax-credit-south-africa/South Africa's medical tax credit is R364/month per main member (2024/25). Learn what qualifies, what SARS needs, and how to spot errors on your assessment.Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTDeductionsmedical tax creditdeductionsmedical aidsarsincome taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/transfer-duty-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/transfer-duty-south-africa/Transfer duty is the buyer's cost on South African property transactions. Properties below R1.1 million are exempt. Where VAT applies, transfer duty does not.Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxtransfer dutypropertyhome buyingsarsconveyancingVATreal estateSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/itr12-guide/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/itr12-guide/The ITR12 is South Africa's individual income tax return. Learn who must file, what documents to gather, how to check pre-populated figures, and avoid mistakes.Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxitr12tax returnsarsfilingincome taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/business-tax-deductions-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/business-tax-deductions-south-africa/South African businesses deduct under s11(a): actually incurred, in the production of income, not capital in nature. Capital assets use s11(e) allowances.Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall Businessbusiness deductionstax deductionssmall businessincome taxsarssole proprietorSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/expat-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/expat-tax-south-africa/South African residents working abroad face a R1.25 million foreign income exemption cap under s10(1)(o)(ii), with provisional tax and credit obligations.Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTResidencyexpat taxforeign incometax residencysection 10financial emigrationsarsprovisional taxSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/input-vat-output-vat-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/input-vat-output-vat-south-africa/Input VAT and output VAT in South Africa explained: how they offset each other and how VAT vendors calculate what they owe or are owed by SARS.Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATinput VAToutput VATVAT201small businesssarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-return-efiling-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-return-efiling-south-africa/VAT201 returns due the 25th of the following month. eFilers get until the last business day. Late payment attracts a 10% penalty regardless of return filing.Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATVAT201eFilingVAT returnsmall businesssarsoutput VATinput VATSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-invoice-requirements-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-invoice-requirements-south-africa/A valid tax invoice is required to claim input VAT in South Africa. Full invoices needed above R5,000. Missing fields can allow SARS to disallow the claim.Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATtax invoiceVAT invoicesmall businesssarsVAT201record keepingSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/voluntary-compulsory-vat-registration/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/voluntary-compulsory-vat-registration/Compulsory VAT registration applies above R2.3 million in taxable supplies (from April 2026). Voluntary registration above R120,000 is a commercial decision.Sat, 04 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATVAT registrationvoluntary VATcompulsory VATsmall businesssarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-registration-threshold-2026/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-registration-threshold-2026/From April 2026, South Africa's compulsory VAT registration threshold is R2.3 million. Voluntary registration remains available above R120,000.Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATVAT registration thresholdsmall businesssarsbudget 2026VAT thresholdSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-registration-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/vat-registration-south-africa/How to register for VAT on SARS eFiling, what documents you need, the effective date rules, and what to do once your VAT registration is active.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall BusinessVATVAT registrationeFilingsmall businesssarsVAT201South African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/small-business-corporation-tax/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/small-business-corporation-tax/The SBC regime offers 0%-27% graduated rates for qualifying companies under R20 million gross income. All shareholders must be natural persons.Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSmall Businesssmall businessSBCcorporate taxsmall business corporationincome taxsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/update-sars-efiling-contact-details/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/update-sars-efiling-contact-details/How to update your cell number, email, and banking details on SARS eFiling - and why keeping them current matters for OTPs, refunds, and notices.Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling SeasoneFilingsarscontact detailsbank detailsOTPupdate detailsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-audit-verification-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/sars-audit-verification-south-africa/SARS verification gives you 21 business days to upload documents. Audits are more formal. You have 30 business days to object to a revised assessment.Fri, 27 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTFiling Seasonsars auditverificationsupporting documentstax complianceobjectionsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-records-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/tax-records-south-africa/South African tax records: keep for five years after filing. Capital assets: five years after disposal. Missing records means disallowed deductions.Thu, 26 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxtax recordsrecord keepingsarsincome taxeFilingdocumentationSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/estate-duty-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/estate-duty-south-africa/Estate duty applies above the R3.5 million abatement at 20% (25% over R30M). Spouse bequests are exempt. CGT also arises on deemed disposal at death.Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxestate dutyinheritancedeceased estatetax planningsarsexecutorSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/cryptocurrency-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/cryptocurrency-tax-south-africa/SARS treats crypto as intangible assets. Gains are income or capital gains depending on trading pattern. Every swap or payment is a taxable disposal.Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxcryptocurrencycrypto taxbitcoincapital gains taxincome taxsarscrypto assetsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/dividend-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/dividend-tax-south-africa/South African dividends tax is withheld at 20% before you receive payment. Exemptions apply to retirement funds, TFSAs, and SA resident companies.Sat, 21 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxdividends taxdividendsinvestmentsincome taxwithholding taxsarsSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Teamhttps://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/rental-income-tax-south-africa/https://www.southafricantaxhelp.co.za/articles/rental-income-tax-south-africa/Rental income is taxed at your marginal rate in South Africa. Bond interest, rates, levies, and repairs are deductible. Provisional tax usually applies.Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTIncome Taxrental incomeproperty taxincome taxprovisional taxdeductionssarslandlordSouth African Tax Help Hub Editorial Team