South Africa salary calculator 2026/27
Work out take-home pay in South Africa for 2026/27 from your gross salary, find the gross needed for a target net, or see what a hire really costs. Every deduction is shown step by step.
Defaults to your region. Switch to compare any other scale.
SARS 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), resident employee, annual equivalent of a constant monthly salary. Not included: travel allowances, fringe benefits, additional medical expenses tax credit and the two-pot retirement withdrawal rules.
Result
ZAR 32,138.13
Net pay per month
Gross ZAR 40,000.00 · employer cost ZAR 40,577.12
- Gross pay (per month)ZAR 40,000.00
- Income tax (PAYE, after rebates)−ZAR 7,684.75
- Unemployment insurance, employee (UIF 1%)−ZAR 177.12
- Total employee deductions−ZAR 7,861.87
- Net pay (per month)ZAR 32,138.13
- + Unemployment insurance, employer (UIF 1%)+ZAR 177.12
- + Skills development levy (SDL 1%)+ZAR 400.00
- Total employer cost (per month)ZAR 40,577.12
- Primary rebate (under 65: R17,820) (per year)ZAR 17,820.00
- Taxable income (per year)ZAR 480,000.00
- Effective deduction rate19.7%
- Tax year2026/27
Rules used
SARS 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), resident employee, annual equivalent of a constant monthly salary. Not included: travel allowances, fringe benefits, additional medical expenses tax credit and the two-pot retirement withdrawal rules.
Step-by-step breakdown
| Item | Rate | Base per year | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | ZAR 40,000.00 | ZAR 480,000.00 | ||
| − Income tax (PAYE, after rebates) | ZAR 480,000.00 | ZAR 7,684.75 | ZAR 92,217.00 | |
| − Unemployment insurance, employee (UIF 1%) | 1% | ZAR 212,544.00 | ZAR 177.12 | ZAR 2,125.44 |
| = Net pay | ZAR 32,138.13 | ZAR 385,657.56 | ||
| + Unemployment insurance, employer (UIF 1%) | 1% | ZAR 212,544.00 | ZAR 177.12 | ZAR 2,125.44 |
| + Skills development levy (SDL 1%) | 1% | ZAR 480,000.00 | ZAR 400.00 | ZAR 4,800.00 |
| = Total employer cost | ZAR 40,577.12 | ZAR 486,925.44 |
About this tool
Income tax for the 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027) runs from 18% up to R245,100 to 45% above R1,878,600, less the primary rebate of R17,820 (plus R9,765 from age 65 and R3,249 from 75), so income up to R99,000 is tax-free under 65. Medical aid members get a credit of R376 a month for themselves and the first dependant and R254 for each further dependant. Retirement fund contributions are deductible up to 27.5% of income (max R350,000). UIF is 1% of pay up to R17,712 a month.
The employer pays another 1% UIF (on pay up to R17,712 a month) and the 1% skills development levy on the full payroll if the annual payroll exceeds R500,000. Compensation fund (COIDA) assessments and any employer pension or medical contributions are not included.
SARS 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), resident employee, annual equivalent of a constant monthly salary. Not included: travel allowances, fringe benefits, additional medical expenses tax credit and the two-pot retirement withdrawal rules.
Formula
Net = Gross − income tax − employee social contributionsEmployer cost = Gross + employer contributionsNet → gross: solve Net(Gross) = target by bisection
How it is calculated
- Choose the country (each has its own page and tax year).
- Pick gross → net, net → gross or employer budget, then enter the amount per month or per year.
- Set personal options such as dependants, tax class, region or state.
- Read the step-by-step breakdown of every tax and contribution, plus the total employer cost.
Questions
How is net salary calculated in South Africa?
Income tax for the 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027) runs from 18% up to R245,100 to 45% above R1,878,600, less the primary rebate of R17,820 (plus R9,765 from age 65 and R3,249 from 75), so income up to R99,000 is tax-free under 65. Medical aid members get a credit of R376 a month for themselves and the first dependant and R254 for each further dependant. Retirement fund contributions are deductible up to 27.5% of income (max R350,000). UIF is 1% of pay up to R17,712 a month.
How much does an employee cost the employer in South Africa?
The employer pays another 1% UIF (on pay up to R17,712 a month) and the 1% skills development levy on the full payroll if the annual payroll exceeds R500,000. Compensation fund (COIDA) assessments and any employer pension or medical contributions are not included.
Can I work out the gross salary from a net amount?
Yes. Choose “Net → gross”: the calculator searches for the gross salary whose deductions leave exactly your net amount, then shows the full breakdown. “Employer budget” does the same starting from the total cost.
Which tax year and rules does the calculator use?
SARS 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), resident employee, annual equivalent of a constant monthly salary. Not included: travel allowances, fringe benefits, additional medical expenses tax credit and the two-pot retirement withdrawal rules.