Enter a bonus amount to see the tax and your take-home.
Estimate only — not tax advice. This works out the PAYE on your bonus using 2026/2027 SARS rates, based on salary and bonus alone. It excludes UIF, medical scheme tax credits, retirement contributions and other deductions, so your actual net bonus may differ. Confirm with SARS or a registered tax practitioner.
How is a bonus taxed in South Africa?
There's no special "bonus tax rate" in South Africa. A bonus — whether it's a 13th cheque or a performance bonus — is simply added to your income for the year and taxed along with everything else. What makes it feel heavily taxed is that it sits on top of your regular salary, so it's taxed at your marginal rate (your highest bracket), not your average rate.
The way PAYE on a bonus is worked out is to calculate the tax on your annual income including the bonus, then subtract the tax on your salary alone. The difference is the tax attributable to the bonus. If the bonus pushes part of your income into a higher tax bracket, that portion is taxed at the higher rate — so a large bonus can be taxed at a blend of two brackets.
That's exactly what this calculator does, using the 2026/2027 SARS tax tables — the same brackets and rebates behind our PAYE calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How is a bonus taxed in South Africa?
A bonus (including a 13th cheque) is added to your income for the year and taxed along with it. The PAYE on the bonus is the difference between the tax on your annual income including the bonus and the tax on your salary alone — so it's effectively taxed at your marginal rate.
Why is so much tax taken off my bonus?
Because a bonus sits on top of your regular income, it's taxed at your highest (marginal) rate, not your average rate. If the bonus pushes part of your income into a higher bracket, that portion is taxed at the higher rate — which is why a bonus can feel heavily taxed.
Does this calculator include UIF and other deductions?
No. It estimates the PAYE (income tax) on your bonus only, using the 2026/2027 tax tables. It excludes UIF, medical scheme tax credits, retirement contributions and other deductions, so your actual net bonus may differ slightly.
Is a 13th cheque taxed differently to a performance bonus?
No. SARS treats a 13th cheque and a performance bonus the same way — both are remuneration added to your income and taxed at your marginal rate. The timing and amount are all that differ.
How do I use this bonus tax calculator?
Enter your salary and your bonus amount, then select your age category. The calculator estimates the PAYE on the bonus using the 2026/2027 tax tables and shows the approximate amount you'll take home.
Will my whole bonus be taxed at the highest rate?
Not necessarily. Only the portion of your bonus that falls into a higher tax bracket is taxed at that higher rate — the rest is taxed at the rate for the bracket it sits in.
Can I reduce the tax on my bonus?
Contributing part of a bonus to a retirement fund can lower the taxable amount within SARS's deduction limits. This calculator estimates PAYE on the bonus only, so speak to a tax practitioner about your situation.
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