Estate Duty and Donations Tax

Figures current at 29 September 2026. Source: TradeAnswers.

The rates
TaxFirst R30 millionAbove R30 millionThreshold
Estate duty20%25%R3,500,000 abatement
Donations tax20%25%R150,000 a year, natural person
Donations tax, juristic person20%25%R20,000 a year, casual gifts
What changed in 2026
Item2026/272025/26
Donations exemption, natural personR150,000R100,000
Donations exemption, juristic personR20,000R10,000
Estate duty abatementR3,500,000R3,500,000
Estate duty rates20% and 25%20% and 25%
Spousal donationsExempt if the recipient is a residentExempt
What is deductible from an estate
DeductionEffect
Section 4(q), bequest to a surviving spouseFully deductible, no limit
Portable abatementAn unused abatement passes to the surviving spouse
Funeral and deathbed expensesDeductible
Debts due at deathDeductible
Bequest to an approved public benefit organisationDeductible
Administration and executor feesDeductible

Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change