Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by ufiling
In South Africa, the tax you pay on interest income depends on your overall income and your tax bracket. Interest income is generally considered taxable and is included in your total income for the year. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) treats interest income as part of your “income from other sources.”
For individuals, South Africa has a progressive tax system with different income tax brackets. The tax rates for the 2022/2023 tax year (which may have changed, so please verify) are as follows:
- For individuals under the age of 65:
- 0% tax on the first R87,300 of taxable income
- 18% tax on taxable income between R87,301 and R189,880
- 26% tax on taxable income between R189,881 and R296,540
- 31% tax on taxable income between R296,541 and R410,460
- 36% tax on taxable income between R410,461 and R555,600
- 39% tax on taxable income above R555,600
It’s important to note that these tax rates apply to your total income, including interest income, and not only to the interest earned.
It’s also worth mentioning that certain interest income may be exempt or receive special treatment based on specific circumstances or investment types. For example, interest earned on tax-free savings accounts or certain government bonds may be exempt from income tax.
To ensure accurate and personalized information regarding your specific situation, I recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional or referring to the latest tax laws and guidelines provided by SARS.
In South Africa, the tax you pay on interest income depends on your overall income and your tax bracket. Interest income is generally considered taxable and is included in your total income for the year. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) treats interest income as part of your “income from other sources.”
For individuals, South Africa has a progressive tax system with different income tax brackets. The tax rates for the 2022/2023 tax year (which may have changed, so please verify) are as follows:
- For individuals under the age of 65:
- 0% tax on the first R87,300 of taxable income
- 18% tax on taxable income between R87,301 and R189,880
- 26% tax on taxable income between R189,881 and R296,540
- 31% tax on taxable income between R296,541 and R410,460
- 36% tax on taxable income between R410,461 and R555,600
- 39% tax on taxable income above R555,600
It’s important to note that these tax rates apply to your total income, including interest income, and not only to the interest earned.
It’s also worth mentioning that certain interest income may be exempt or receive special treatment based on specific circumstances or investment types. For example, interest earned on tax-free savings accounts or certain government bonds may be exempt from income tax.
To ensure accurate and personalized information regarding your specific situation, I recommend consulting with a qualified tax professional or referring to the latest tax laws and guidelines provided by SARS.