Money guides for South Africans

Plain-English explanations of tax, bonds, transfer costs, car finance and retirement, worked out with the official figures for the 2026/27 tax year and today's prime rate.

• How SARS works out your PAYEA plain-English guide to PAYE, UIF and take-home pay in South Africa for the 2026/27 tax year, with worked examples using SARS's own tables.
• Transfer costs on a R1,5 million homeEvery cost of buying a R1,5 million home in South Africa: transfer duty, attorney fees, Deeds Office and bond registration, worked out from the current official tables.
• Two-pot withdrawals: how much will you actually get?How two-pot savings withdrawals are taxed in South Africa, what you'll receive after tax, and what the withdrawal costs your retirement. Updated for 2026/27.
• How much house can you afford on your salary?How South African banks decide what you can borrow, with a table of home prices you can afford at different salaries at today's prime rate of 10,75%.
• Balloon payments on car finance: are they worth it?How a balloon payment changes your car instalment and the total interest you pay, with worked examples at today's rates.