New limit: R46 000 a year from March 2026

Tax-free savings account (TFSA) calculator

See how your TFSA could grow with no tax on interest, dividends or capital gains. Contributions are kept within the SARS annual and lifetime limits.

Contributed so far (R)Your lifetime total across all TFSAs.

Current TFSA value (R)

Monthly contribution (R)

Expected return (% per year)

Years

TFSA rules in South Africa

Annual limit: R46 000 per tax year (from 1 March 2026, up from R36 000).
Lifetime limit: R500 000 in contributions. Growth above that is fine and stays tax-free.
Penalty: SARS taxes contributions over the limits at 40%.
Withdrawals are tax-free, but you can't "top up" what you took out. Withdrawn amounts still count towards your limits.

Because the lifetime limit counts contributions, a long time horizon matters most. Choosing a low-cost equity ETF inside your TFSA instead of a cash account lets the tax-free growth compound.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to max out a TFSA?

Contributing the full R46 000 a year, you reach the R500 000 lifetime limit in just under 11 years.

Can I have more than one TFSA?

Yes, but the limits apply across all your accounts combined, so track your total contributions.