For many expatriates living in South Africa they desire a proportion of their investment portfolio to Taxation is the responsibility of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and is based for individuals around residency-based legislation.          The tax year runs from March 1st until February 28th the following year. Residency based taxation revolves around two issues: The amount of time an individual spends in South Africa each year. A more subjective issue of where an individual is returning to, for example if working offshore.   Income tax rates (abridged)   Taxpayer Tax rate applicable to each Rand of taxable income Individual R0 – R32 222 (tax free) R32 222 – R38 000 = 18% of taxable income R38 000 – R55 000 = R6840 + 26% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds R38 000 R55 000 – R80 000 = R11 260 + 32% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds R55 000 R80 000 – R100 000 = R19 260 + 37% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds R80 000 R100 000 – R215 000 = R26 660 + 40% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds R100 000 > R215 000 = R72 660 + 42% of the amount by which the taxable income exceeds R215 000   Company or Closed Corporation 30% Trusts 40% Donations Tax 20% Estate Duty 20% Life Insurance Company 30% Individual policyholder fund   30% Untaxed policyholder fund  0% Corporate policyholder fund 30% Retirement fund tax 18%