i What this calculator does
This tracker shows how much of your R2 million annual Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) you've used, and how much of the additional R10 million Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA) remains available if you need to transfer more.
Enter the total you've already transferred offshore this calendar year, and the tracker shows your remaining SDA headroom and total remaining capacity including the FIA.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not store your data. Verify your exact cumulative usage with your bank or authorised dealer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current SDA limit?
The Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) is R2 million per South African tax resident per calendar year, increased from R1 million in the 2026 Budget, doesn't require prior SARS tax clearance or SARB approval, and covers travel, gifts, donations, remittances, and offshore investment.
What is the FIA and how is it different from the SDA?
The Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA) is an additional R10 million per year, used once your transfers exceed the R2 million SDA limit. Unlike the SDA, using the FIA requires obtaining a SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN via an Approval for International Transfer application.
Does the SDA allowance carry over if I don't use it all?
No, the SDA resets on 1 January each year and doesn't roll over, unused allowance from one year doesn't carry forward into the next.
Does this tracker save my data between visits?
No, this tracker doesn't store any data, it's a simple calculator for the current session only. Keep your own record of transfers made during the year, or check with your bank or authorised dealer for your official cumulative usage.
What happens if I exceed my Single Discretionary Allowance in a year?
Transfers beyond the SDA typically require using your Foreign Investment Allowance instead, which involves additional tax clearance requirements from SARS, unlike the SDA which generally doesn't require pre-approval up to its limit.
Does the SDA reset every calendar year or tax year?
The Single Discretionary Allowance resets on a calendar year basis (per individual), separate from the South African tax year, worth tracking your usage against the correct annual period.
Can I combine my SDA with my spouse's for a joint transfer?
Each individual has their own separate SDA and FIA allowances, couples can each use their own allowances for combined family transfers, but the limits themselves apply per person, not per household.
Does using my SDA for trading capital reduce what I can use for other purposes?
Yes, the Single Discretionary Allowance is a combined annual limit covering all discretionary offshore transfers, including trading capital, travel, gifts, and other purposes, all draw from the same overall yearly total.
Do I need SARS tax clearance to use my SDA?
Generally no, unlike the Foreign Investment Allowance which requires a SARS tax compliance status confirmation, the SDA typically doesn't require this additional pre-approval step, up to its annual limit.
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<p><a href="https://www.tradeanswers.co.za/sda-fia-allowance-tracker-calculator.html">SDA & FIA Offshore Allowance Tracker</a> by <a href="https://www.tradeanswers.co.za/">TradeAnswers</a></p>