South African PAYE Calculator 2026/2027
Work out your monthly or annual PAYE, UIF and take-home pay in seconds, using the latest SARS tax tables for the 2026/2027 tax year. Free, instant, and no sign-up required.
Pension, provident and retirement annuity contributions. Deductible up to 27.5% of income, max R430 000/year.
Age affects your tax rebates and threshold.
Enter your gross income to see your take-home pay.
Estimate only — not tax advice. This calculator uses SARS 2026/2027 rates for general guidance. It covers PAYE, UIF and the retirement-fund deduction, but not medical aid tax credits, travel or other allowances, fringe benefits or other deductions, so your actual payslip may differ. Always confirm with SARS or a registered tax practitioner before relying on these figures.
How PAYE is calculated in South Africa
PAYE, or Pay-As-You-Earn, is the income tax your employer withholds from your salary each month and pays over to SARS on your behalf. It's worked out from your taxable income — your gross pay less allowable deductions such as retirement fund contributions — on a sliding scale, then reduced by the tax rebates you qualify for based on your age.
On top of PAYE, most employees also contribute 1% of their pay to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), capped at R177,12 a month. Your take-home pay is what's left after PAYE, UIF and any contributions you make.
Income tax brackets for 2026/2027
| Taxable income (per year) | Rate of tax |
|---|---|
| R1 – R245 100 | 18% of taxable income |
| R245 101 – R383 100 | R44 118 + 26% of the amount above R245 100 |
| R383 101 – R530 200 | R79 998 + 31% of the amount above R383 100 |
| R530 201 – R695 800 | R125 599 + 36% of the amount above R530 200 |
| R695 801 – R887 000 | R185 215 + 39% of the amount above R695 800 |
| R887 001 – R1 878 600 | R259 783 + 41% of the amount above R887 000 |
| R1 878 601 and above | R666 339 + 45% of the amount above R1 878 600 |
Tax rebates for 2026/2027
- Primary rebate (all taxpayers): R17 820
- Secondary rebate (65 and older): an extra R9 765
- Tertiary rebate (75 and older): a further R3 249
Tax thresholds for 2026/2027
You pay no income tax below these annual amounts: R99 000 if you're under 65, R153 250 for ages 65–74, and R171 300 for 75 and older.
Frequently asked questions
How is PAYE calculated in South Africa?
PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) is the employees' tax withheld from your salary. Your taxable income (gross pay less allowable retirement contributions) is taxed on SARS's sliding scale, then reduced by age-based tax rebates. The result is your annual PAYE, which is divided across the year. This calculator applies the 2026/2027 rates.
What is the tax threshold for the 2026/2027 tax year?
You pay no income tax if your taxable income is below the annual threshold: R99 000 if you're under 65, R153 250 for ages 65–74, and R171 300 for 75 and older.
Does this calculator include medical aid tax credits?
No. To keep it simple it covers PAYE, UIF and the retirement-fund deduction only. It does not include medical scheme fees tax credits, travel or other allowances, fringe benefits, or other deductions — so your actual payslip may differ. Treat the result as a close estimate, not an exact figure.
How much UIF do I pay?
UIF is 1% of your remuneration, matched by your employer, on earnings up to the monthly ceiling of R17 712 — so the maximum employee contribution is R177,12 per month. The calculator applies this cap automatically.
Are retirement fund contributions tax-deductible?
Yes. Contributions to pension, provident and retirement annuity funds are deductible up to 27.5% of the greater of your remuneration or taxable income, capped at R430 000 per year for 2026/2027. Enter your contribution and the calculator applies the deduction.
What is PAYE?
PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) is the employees' tax your employer withholds from your salary each month and pays over to SARS on your behalf, based on SARS's sliding income-tax scale.
How often are the PAYE tax tables updated?
SARS updates the income-tax brackets, rebates and thresholds each tax year, which starts on 1 March. This calculator uses the 2026/2027 rates.
Is this PAYE calculator accurate for my payslip?
It's a close estimate using the 2026/2027 tables and the inputs you provide. It excludes items like medical scheme tax credits, travel allowances and fringe benefits, so your actual payslip may differ — for exact figures use Bluubin payroll or a tax practitioner.
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