Example result based on the prefilled values.
Capital Gain
R800 000,00
Primary Residence Exclusion
R0.00
Taxable Gain (40% inclusion)
R304 000,00
CGT Payable
R60 072,00
Effective Rate
7.50%
Net After Tax
R739 928,00
Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
When to use this calculator
- Before accepting a pay change, bonus, pension contribution, or salary-sacrifice option.
- When you want to compare employed, self-employed, or dividend-based income scenarios.
- When you need a simple take-home estimate before running payroll or filing returns.
- When you are approaching the £100,000 income level and want to understand the personal allowance taper effect.
- When you are planning a salary sacrifice arrangement and need to see the net pay impact before agreeing terms.
A realistic South Africa planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
Proceeds from Sale (R)
2000000
Base Cost (original cost + improvements) (R)
R500
Other Taxable Income (R)
R400,000
Asset Type
Shares / unit trusts
After entering these figures, review capital gain, primary residence exclusion and taxable gain (40% inclusion) together rather than in isolation — each metric tells a different part of the story. Then rerun the tool with one input adjusted to see which variable has the biggest effect on all three outputs before you settle on a plan.
How to read your results
Capital Gain
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Primary Residence Exclusion
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Taxable Gain (40% inclusion)
Review this figure alongside gross income and the local tax rules that apply to you. It is a planning estimate, not a filing result or a recommendation to make a tax decision.
CGT Payable
Use this metric to compare scenarios side by side and understand how changes in the key inputs drive the final outcome. If the figure surprises you, isolate one variable at a time and rerun the calculation to identify which assumption is responsible.
Effective Rate
The effective rate lets you compare options on a true like-for-like basis rather than being misled by different compounding periods or fee structures. Use it to cut through headline marketing rates when shortlisting providers or products.
Net After Tax
Review this figure alongside gross income and the local tax rules that apply to you. It is a planning estimate, not a filing result or a recommendation to make a tax decision.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
South Africa's capital gains tax (CGT) is not a standalone tax — it is incorporated into your normal income tax assessment by SARS each year. When you dispose of a capital asset at a profit, you calculate the gross capital gain by subtracting the base cost from the proceeds. From this you deduct any applicable exclusions: the R2 million primary residence exclusion if the property was your main home, and the R40,000 annual exclusion that every individual receives. The remaining net gain is then multiplied by the 40% inclusion rate, and this included gain is added to your other taxable income for the year. Your marginal income tax rate — determined by the 2024/25 SARS brackets — is applied to the combined total, and the difference between the tax on your total income and the tax on your income without the gain represents your CGT liability.
This calculator models the full marginal tax impact across all seven SARS brackets, from 18% on income up to R237,100 to 45% on income exceeding R1,817,000. It is designed for individual taxpayers only; trusts and companies face different inclusion rates and flat tax rates not covered here. The effective rate shown divides CGT payable by the raw capital gain, giving you a useful single-figure summary of your tax burden on the disposal. Always retain purchase agreements, improvement invoices, and transfer documents as SARS may request proof of your base cost during a verification. For large or complex disposals, consult a registered tax practitioner before filing your ITR12.
Common mistakes
- !Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- !Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- !Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- !Forgetting location-specific taxes, fees, eligibility rules or payroll deductions where they apply.
- !Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.
- Use the result to prepare better questions for a lender, provider, adviser or employer rather than treating it as a final answer.
Frequently asked
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