Practical guide
PAYE Tax Explained for South African Employees
PAYE is employees’ tax withheld by an employer and paid to SARS. The calculation annualises taxable remuneration, applies the tax table and rebates, then converts the result back to the payroll period.
Fact checked and updated 13 September 2026
The 2026/2027 tax year
For the year from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, SARS uses progressive brackets starting at 18 percent. The primary rebate is R17 820, with additional rebates for qualifying taxpayers aged 65 and 75 or older.
Why take-home pay differs
PAYE is only one payslip item. UIF, retirement contributions, medical aid, taxable benefits, deductions, bonuses and irregular income can change the net amount. A simple calculator cannot reproduce every payroll code.
Check your estimate
Use current taxable remuneration and the correct age group. Compare the estimate with the official SARS deduction tables and ask payroll about unexplained differences.
Use the related calculators
Apply the explanation above with your own figures. Open a calculator below, check every input and review the result assumptions before making a decision.
Official source checked
This guide was checked against SARS 2026 Budget Tax Guide. Rules, rates and institutional requirements can change, so confirm time-sensitive information at the official source.