Hire full-time talent anywhere with EOR

Easily manage and pay your contractors

Run payroll with or without a subsidiary

Global Benefits

Benefits & insurances for your workforce

Global Immigration

Relocation and visa made easy

Talent Acquisition

Find the best candidates for your team

Hire from $49, scalable & transparent

Data protection & Security

About Horizons

Our borderless team and our global purpose

Success Stories

How businesses accelarate hiring with Horizons

Partner Program

Become a partner and benefit from unique offerings

Global Hubs

Discover our international offices

Careers

Join our mission to shaping the New World of Work

Payroll taxes
in South Africa.

SALARY PAYMENT IN South African Rand (ZAR, R)

CONTRACT LANGUAGES English

PAYROLL TAX 2.00%

PAYROLL CYCLE Monthly

TIME TO HIRE 12 hours

What is the average employer tax rate in South Africa?

The average employer tax rate in South Africa is 28% — the corporate income tax rate in South Africa. 

This rate is applicable to resident companies, which are companies incorporated in South Africa or companies effectively managed and controlled in South Africa (the latter assumed to have a permanent establishment in South Africa).

Taxable income (KRW) Tax rate
0 – 200 MM 28%

What is the average employee tax rate in South Africa?

South Africa has progressive rates of individual income tax. The different tax brackets are set out below: 

Taxable Income (ZAR) Tax rate 2023
0 – 266.000 18%
266.001-353.000 26%
353.001 – 488.700 31%
488.701 – 641.400 36%
641.401-817.600 39%
817.601-1,731.600 41%
1,731.601+ 45%

Employer contributions in South Africa

South Africa does not have a comprehensive social security system therefore there is no significant social security taxes levied. Total employer contributions amount to roughly 2.65% of the employee’s salary.

1% goes into the mandatory contribution to unemployment insurance fund (UIF), another 1% goes into skill development levy (SDL) for training and educational purpose, and another roughly 0.5% goes into a worker’s compensation fund (COIDA). The rate of this contribution depends on how dangerous the work is considered.

Contribution item Contribution rate
Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) 1% up to a certain threshold
Skills Development Levy (SDL) 1% (large employers only)
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA): Varies

Employee contributions in South Africa

In South Africa, employees and employers contribute to the same things. South Africa does not have a comprehensive social security system therefore there are no significant social security taxes levied. Total contributions amount to roughly 2.65% of the employee’s salary.

1% is deducted from an individual’s salary and goes into the mandatory contribution to unemployment insurance fund (UIF). 

Other payroll taxes, such as the Skills Development Levy are paid only be employers, not employees. 

Contribution item Contribution rate
Unemployment Insurance 1%

Hiring in South Africa, Made Easy

Your business can easily hire employees in South Africa without opening a local entity. We handle local employment law, complex tax regulations, and international payroll in 180+ countries worldwide. All you need to do is focus on your business.

FAQs

The tax bureau of South Africa is called the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

South Africa does not have a comprehensive social security system therefore there are no significant social security taxes levied. Nevertheless, employer contributions amount to roughly 2.65% of the employee’s salary.

First, employers are required to register with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and obtain a tax reference number.

Second, employers must withhold payroll taxes from their employees’ salaries and remit them to SARS on a monthly basis. The payroll taxes include income tax, unemployment insurance fund (UIF) skills development levy (SDL) contributions, and worker’s compensation insurance (COIDA).

Finally, employers must also submit an annual reconciliation statement to SARS that reconciles the payroll taxes withheld and remitted during the year.

Success stories from businesses we’ve helped enter and grow in new markets.

Client Testimonials