Free calculator
How much tax comes off
my bonus?
A bonus gets added to your normal salary for the year, so it's taxed at the highest rate you reach. Here's what you'll really see in your account.
Your details
What you'll keep
That's about 26% of the bonus going to SARS, because it sits on top of your salary for the year.
Can you pay less tax on a bonus?
You can't change the rate, but you can reduce the income it's taxed on. Putting part of a bonus into a retirement annuity before the end of February is the most common way South Africans claw some of it back — the contribution comes off your taxable income.
If payroll over-deducted on your bonus, that money comes back as a refund when your return is filed correctly.
Common questions
How much tax is deducted from a bonus in South Africa?
A bonus is added to your annual income and taxed at your top marginal rate, so most earners lose between 26% and 45% of it. Enter your salary and bonus above to see the exact rand amount.
Is a 13th cheque taxed differently to a normal salary?
No. SARS treats a 13th cheque as normal remuneration. It only feels higher because it is taxed at your highest bracket rather than your average rate.
Can I reduce the tax on my bonus?
Yes — paying part of the bonus into a retirement annuity or pension fund before year end reduces your taxable income, within the 27.5% and R350 000 limits.
My employer taxed my bonus too much. What now?
Over-deduction is corrected on assessment when you file, and the difference comes back as a refund.
Other free tools
Want a real person to handle it?
AfriTax members get a registered tax practitioner who files their return, checks every deduction and deals with SARS on their behalf — from R89/month.
These tools give an estimate using the current SARS tax tables. Your actual assessment depends on your full circumstances — always confirm with a registered practitioner.