SA Salary & PAYE
Calculator.
Calculate your exact take-home pay after PAYE income tax and UIF. Updated for the 2026/2027 SARS tax year (February 2026 Budget). Includes medical aid credits and pension/RA deductions.
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How is your take-home pay calculated?
Your South African take-home pay is your gross salary minus three deductions: PAYE income tax, UIF, and any pension or medical aid contributions. PAYE is the largest deduction for most employees — it's calculated using SARS's progressive tax brackets, which means higher earners pay a higher percentage of tax.
For the 2026/2027 tax year, the tax rate starts at 18% for income below R237,100 and goes up to 45% for income above R1,817,000 annually. Most employed South Africans fall into the 26–36% marginal rate bracket.
Frequently asked questions
How is PAYE calculated in South Africa?
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is calculated by annualising your monthly salary, applying the SARS progressive tax brackets, subtracting your rebates (based on age), then dividing by 12 for your monthly tax amount.
What is UIF and how much do I pay?
UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund) is 1% of your gross salary, capped at the maximum insurable earnings of R17,711.58 per month — so you'll never pay more than R177.12/month.
Does a medical aid reduce my tax?
Yes. SARS provides a monthly Medical Aid Tax Credit (MTC): R376 for the main member, R376 for the first dependant, and R254 for each additional dependant. This is deducted directly from your tax liability.
How does a pension or RA reduce my tax?
Contributions to an approved pension fund or retirement annuity (RA) reduce your taxable income by up to 27.5% of your remuneration, capped at R350,000 per year.