Take-home pay calculator (South Africa)
Work out your salary after tax: PAYE, UIF, retirement contributions and medical aid tax credits, plus what your bonus or 13th cheque is worth after tax.
How PAYE is calculated in South Africa
SARS taxes your annual taxable income on a sliding scale. Your employer works out tax on your salary as if you earn it all year, subtracts your rebates, and withholds one-twelfth each month as PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
- Taxable income = gross pay − deductible retirement contributions (up to 27.5% of income, max R430 000 a year).
- Tax = the amount from the tax table below, minus your rebates (R17 820 for everyone, more if you're 65+ or 75+).
- Medical tax credits reduce it further: R376 a month each for you and your first dependant, R254 for each additional dependant.
- UIF is 1% of your pay, capped at R177.12 a month.
SARS income tax brackets
Rates for the :
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on R20 000 a month?
For someone under 65 with no retirement contributions or medical aid, roughly R2 115 PAYE plus R177.12 UIF, leaving around R17 708 take-home. Type your own numbers above for an exact estimate.
Why is my bonus taxed so heavily?
A bonus is added on top of your salary, so it is taxed at your highest (marginal) rate. If your salary already puts you in the 31% bracket, most of your bonus is taxed at 31% or more. The calculator shows your bonus after tax.
What is the tax threshold in South Africa?
For 2026/27 you pay no income tax if you earn below R99 000 a year (under 65), R153 250 (65 to 74) or R171 300 (75 and older).
Do retirement annuity contributions reduce my tax?
Yes. Contributions to pension, provident and retirement annuity funds are deductible up to 27.5% of your income, capped at R430 000 a year. Try the retirement annuity calculator to see your saving.