Transfer duty calculator (South Africa)
Transfer duty is a tax paid to SARS by the buyer when property changes hands. Properties up to R1 210 000 pay no transfer duty.
Transfer duty rates
SARS transfer duty table for properties bought by individuals, companies and trusts:
How transfer duty is calculated
Transfer duty is a sliding scale, like income tax. Find the band your purchase price falls in, then add the fixed amount for that band to the percentage charged on the part of the price above the band's starting point.
Worked example: a R2 000 000 home
- R2 000 000 falls in the R1 663 801 – R2 329 300 band.
- Duty = R13 614 + 6% × (R2 000 000 − R1 663 800) = R13 614 + R20 172 = R33 786.
- That's about 1.69% of the price, payable in cash on top of your deposit.
Planning the bond as well? Work out the monthly repayment with the bond repayment calculator.
What other costs should I budget for?
Transfer duty is only part of the cost. You'll also pay the transfer attorney's (conveyancer's) fees, bond registration attorney fees if you take a home loan, and Deeds Office fees. These follow guideline tariffs and grow with the price and bond size. Ask your attorney or bank for a quote. Many buyers budget an extra 8–10% of the price for all once-off costs.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays transfer duty, the buyer or the seller?
The buyer pays transfer duty. It must be paid before the property can be registered in your name.
Do I pay transfer duty on a new development?
Usually not. If the seller is a VAT-registered developer, VAT is already included in the price, so no transfer duty is payable.
Can transfer duty be added to my bond?
Generally no. Banks lend against the property's value, so transfer costs are normally paid in cash, although some banks offer 100%+ bonds to qualifying buyers.
Is transfer duty the same as transfer costs?
No. Transfer duty is the tax paid to SARS. Transfer costs also include the conveyancing attorney's fees and Deeds Office fees, which you pay on top of the duty.