Taxes in South Africa

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Employer Contributions in South Africa

Employers in South Africa make three social security contributions -  UIF - Unemployment Insurance Fund, SDL - Skills Development Levy and Compensation for Occupational Diseases.  UIF and SDL payments are made monthly (defined below), are made on a monthly, while the Compensation for Occupational Diseases is paid once a year.

Employer Social Security contribution breakdown

Contribution Contribution amount
UIF Total of 2% each month, with the employer contributing 1%
SDL 1% of total monthly payroll (including wages, overtime, leave, bonuses, fees, commissions and lump sum payments)
Compensation Fund The annual assessment fee due to the Compensation Fund is calculated based on employees' earnings according to an assessment tariff based on the risks associated with the type of work being done. Before 31 March each year, all employers (including contractors) must submit a statement of earnings paid to all their workers from 1 March to 28/29 February.
Collective Labour/Bargaining Industry dependent.

 

Employee Contributions in South Africa

Employees in South Africa pay income tax via PAYE—Pay As You Earn—and contribute to the Unemployment Social Fund.

Gross income (from) Gross income (to) Progressive tax rate
R0 R237,100 18%
R237,101 R370,500 R42,678 + 26% of taxable income above R237,100
R370,501 R512,800 R77,362 + 31% of taxable income above R370,500
R512,801 R673,000 R121,475 + 36% of taxable income above R512,800
R673,001 R857,900 R179,147 + 39% of taxable income above R673,000
R857,901 R1,817,000 R251,258 + 41% of taxable income above R857,900
R1,817,001 above R644,489 + 45% of taxable income above 1,817,000

In addition to these figures, there are also certain rebates and thresholds associated with age:

Tax rebates and thresholds

  • Primary rebate: R17,235 (€862)
  • Secondary rebate (65 and older): R9,444 (€472 )
  • Tertiary rebate (75 and older): R3,145 (€157)

Tax thresholds

  • Below 65 years: R95,750 (€4,788)
  • 65 years and older: R148,217 (€7,411)
  • 75 years and older: R165,689 (€8,284)

The EUR figures have been determined by applying an exchange rate of 1 ZAR = 0.05 EUR.

Employee social security contribution breakdown

As noted above, UIF is paid by both employer and employee, each contributing 1% each month of salary for a total of 2% per month, per employee.

Contribution Contribution amount
UIF 2% of employee salary per month, 1% by employee.

 

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