Capital gains tax calculator
Estimate the CGT on selling property, shares or crypto, using the 2026/27 SARS tables and your income.
Updated for the 2026/27 tax year. Free, no sign-up needed.
How the calculation works
The gain is the selling price less the base cost. For your primary residence, the first R3 000 000 of gain is excluded first. Every individual then gets an annual exclusion of R50 000, covering all gains and losses in the tax year combined.
40% of what remains is added to your taxable income. Rather than applying a single rate, we work out your income tax with and without that amount, using the 2026/27 SARS brackets and the primary rebate. The difference is your CGT, so a gain that pushes you into a higher bracket is taxed correctly.
Not modelled: rebates for people 65 and older, other gains or losses in the same year, and companies or trusts, which are taxed differently.
Questions people ask
How is capital gains tax calculated in South Africa?
Your gain is the selling price less the base cost: what you paid plus qualifying costs such as transfer fees, legal fees and improvements. Individuals subtract the R50,000 annual exclusion, include 40% of the rest in taxable income, and pay income tax on it.
What is the highest CGT rate for individuals?
With a 40% inclusion rate and a top income tax rate of 45%, the most an individual pays is 18% of the gain. Most people pay less, because the gain is taxed at their own marginal rate.
Do I pay CGT when I sell my home?
The first R3,000,000 of gain on your primary residence is excluded from 2026/27. The home must be where you ordinarily live. If part of it was let or used as a home office, that part may not qualify.
Why does my income matter?
The taxable part of the gain is added to your income for the year, so it can push you into a higher bracket. This calculator taxes the gain across every bracket it crosses rather than at one flat rate.
When do I pay the tax?
The gain goes into your income tax return for the year of the sale. Provisional taxpayers should include it in their provisional tax estimates to avoid underpayment penalties.
SARS tax module
Stop re-typing your numbers.
WealthDashboard tracks base cost and every sale across property, shares and crypto, then prepares your CGT for eFiling. Free to start, no card.
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Estimates use the SARS tables for the 2026/27 tax year and the assumptions shown. They are for planning only and are not tax or financial advice. For a submission, use your actual figures or speak to a registered tax practitioner.