i What this calculator does
A PAYE calculator converts a gross salary into the amount that actually lands in your account, after income tax, UIF and any retirement contribution. It also shows your marginal rate, which is the figure that matters if you trade.
Trading profits treated as revenue by SARS are added to your other income and taxed at your marginal rate. Knowing that rate before the tax year ends is what lets you plan provisional payments rather than be surprised by them.
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Results are estimates and may vary depending on market conditions, spreads, commissions, platform settings, and exchange rates. It should not be considered financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my marginal rate matter for trading?
If SARS treats your trading profits as revenue rather than capital, they are added to your other income and taxed at your marginal rate. A trader in the 36% bracket keeps R640 of every R1,000 of profit, which changes what a strategy needs to earn before it is worth the effort.
Are these the current tax tables?
The calculator uses the 2026/27 individual tables, rebates and medical credits. SARS publishes updated figures each February with the Budget, so confirm against sars.gov.za if you are calculating close to a year end.
Is UIF really capped?
Yes. The contribution is 1% of remuneration from the employee and 1% from the employer, applied to a monthly earnings ceiling. Above that ceiling the rand contribution stops rising, which is why high earners see a flat UIF line.
Does the retirement deduction include my employer's contribution?
Yes. Employer contributions are treated as a fringe benefit in your income and then form part of the deductible total, so the 27.5% and R350,000 limits apply to the combined amount rather than only what you pay.
What if I am a provisional taxpayer?
PAYE covers your salary. Trading profits, rental and freelance income usually are not covered, which is what makes you a provisional taxpayer with returns due in August and February. Use the marginal rate this calculator shows to estimate what to set aside.
Do medical aid credits reduce my tax directly?
Yes, they are credits rather than deductions, so they come off the tax itself rather than off taxable income. That makes them worth the same rand amount regardless of your bracket.
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