Tax Guides & Articles
Practical guides to help you understand South African tax, savings, debt, and more.
27 articles
- 1
Understanding VAT in South Africa: The 15% Tax on Everything You Buy
What VAT is, who pays it, zero-rated items, exempt supplies, and when businesses must register.
- 2
What's Your Hourly Rate? How to Convert Your SA Salary
Why knowing your hourly rate matters and how working days are calculated in South Africa.
- 3
The Power of Compound Interest: How R1,000 a Month Becomes R2 Million
How compound interest works in South African rands, with worked examples showing the cost of waiting.
- 4
How Much Car Can You Actually Afford? A South African's Guide to Vehicle Finance
Understanding vehicle finance in SA: NCA fees, balloon payments, bank comparison, and the true cost of credit.
- 5
The Complete Guide to Home Loan Repayments in South Africa
How home loan repayments work, why extra payments matter, and comparing bank fees across the big four.
- 6
Personal Loans in South Africa: What They Really Cost
The true cost of unsecured personal loans including NCA fees, interest, and how to compare offers.
- 7
The Minimum Payment Trap: Why Your Credit Card Could Take 20 Years to Pay Off
How credit card minimum payments keep you in debt, and strategies to pay off faster.
- 8
Lost Your Job? Here's Exactly How Much UIF Will Pay You — And For How Long
How UIF benefits are calculated, the IRR sliding scale, credit days, and how to claim.
- 9
Understanding Your Electricity Bill: How Eskom's Block Tariff Works
How the Inclining Block Tariff works, prepaid vs conventional, and tips to reduce your bill.
- 10
Two-Pot Retirement Withdrawal: How Much Tax Will You Actually Pay?
How savings pot withdrawals are taxed at marginal rates, worked examples, and the long-term cost of withdrawing.
- 11
Provisional Tax in South Africa: A Freelancer's Complete Guide
Who is a provisional taxpayer, the two payment periods, and how to avoid the 10% underestimation penalty.
- 12
The Complete Cost of Buying Property in South Africa
All the upfront costs beyond the purchase price: transfer duty, attorney fees, bond registration, and deeds office fees.
- 13
How Much Do You Need to Retire in South Africa? Probably More Than You Think
The SA retirement crisis, the 15-17× rule, RA tax deductions, and two-pot impact on savings.
- 14
Retrenchment in South Africa: Know Your Rights and Calculate Your Package
BCEA minimum severance, notice periods, leave payout, tax treatment, and CCMA referral rights.
- 15
SBC Tax vs Turnover Tax: Which Is Better for Your Small Business?
Side-by-side comparison of SBC and turnover tax at various income levels.
- 16
Saving in South Africa: TFSA, Fixed Deposits, and Building Your Emergency Fund
Comparing TFSA, fixed deposits, and emergency fund strategies for SA savers.
- 17
Drowning in Debt? Snowball vs Avalanche vs Consolidation — Which Strategy Works Best
The three debt repayment strategies explained with SA-specific context.
- 18
Going Solar in South Africa: Costs, Savings, and Break-Even
How solar systems pay for themselves with Eskom tariff increases of 12-15% per year.
- 19
The True Cost of Owning a Car in South Africa
Beyond the instalment: insurance, fuel, maintenance, tyres, licence, and depreciation add up fast.
- 20
How to Transfer Your Tax Free Savings Account (Without Losing Contribution Room)
Step-by-step guide to transferring your TFSA from one provider to another. Avoid the withdrawal trap that costs 40% in penalties.
- 21
Tax Free Savings Accounts in South Africa: The Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about TFSAs — contribution limits, tax benefits, penalties for over-contributing, and the withdrawal trap.
- 22
TFSA Investment Types: Savings Account vs ETFs vs Unit Trusts
Compare the different TFSA product types — bank savings, money market, ETFs, and unit trusts — and choose the right one for your goals.
- 23
Small Business Corporation Tax Benefits in South Africa
How qualifying small businesses can benefit from reduced progressive tax rates instead of the flat 27% corporate rate.
- 24
Capital Gains Tax: A Beginner's Guide for SA Investors
Learn how capital gains tax works in South Africa, including exclusions, inclusion rates, and primary residence relief.
- 25
How Medical Tax Credits Work in South Africa
Understand Section 6A and 6B medical tax credits, who qualifies, and how to claim them.
- 26
Transfer Duty Explained: What Property Buyers Need to Know
Everything you need to know about transfer duty in South Africa, including rates, exemptions, and who pays.
- 27
Understanding South African Income Tax Brackets (2025/2026)
A complete guide to how SARS income tax brackets work, including rebates, thresholds, and how to calculate your tax.