Side income tax calculator
R5 400 a year
That is about R450 a month to put aside, or 18% of your side profit of R30 000. Your top tax rate would be 18%.
Tax on your salary alone: R14 580. Tax on salary plus side profit: R19 980.
An estimate only, using SARS 2026/27 tables. It ignores medical credits, retirement fund deductions, and other income. Not tax advice: check with SARS or a registered tax practitioner.
Who it is for
It is for South Africans with a salary who also earn on the side, and for people whose only income is freelance or online work. That includes tutors, freelancers, online sellers, content creators and anyone paid by overseas platforms.
It suits individuals, not companies or trusts, and gives a first estimate before you speak to SARS or a tax practitioner.
How it works
South Africa taxes your total taxable income, so side income is added on top of any salary. The calculator works out tax on your salary alone, then on salary plus side profit (side income minus the costs of earning it), using the SARS brackets for 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027 and the rebate for your age.
The difference is the extra tax caused by your side income.
If your total stays at or below the tax threshold, no income tax is due. Above it, your side profit is taxed at your top marginal rate.
The tool also shows a monthly amount to put aside, so the bill does not surprise you.
Worked example
Thandi earns R180,000 a year in salary and makes R36,000 from tutoring, with R6,000 of costs. Her side profit is R30,000, so her total taxable income is R210,000.
Tax on R180,000 alone is R14 580. Tax on R210,000 is R19 980.
The extra tax from tutoring is about R5 400 a year, or R450 a month (18% of her side profit). Because tutoring income is not a salary, she is a provisional taxpayer.
Tips before you rely on it
- Open a separate savings pocket for tax and move the monthly set-aside amount into it each time you are paid.
- Keep invoices and receipts from the start. Genuine costs of earning the income lower your taxable profit.
- Register for eFiling now if you have not yet, so you are ready when provisional tax payments are due.
- If your situation is complicated, for example rental income or a company, a registered tax practitioner is worth the fee.
Not sure what to try yet?
The free test takes about 6 minutes. It matches ways to earn, from freelancing to selling and local services, to your skills, time, data and budget, and shows you what to try first.
Take the free testQuestions people ask
Do I have to pay tax on a side hustle in South Africa?
Yes, once your total taxable income is above the threshold (R99 000 for under-65s in 2026/27). Below it, no income tax is due, but SARS may still expect a return in some cases, so check eFiling.
What is provisional tax?
A way of paying income tax in advance if you earn money other than a salary. You pay two amounts during the tax year, by 31 August and by the last business day of February, based on an estimate, and file IRP6 returns on eFiling.
What expenses can I deduct?
Generally costs spent to earn that income, such as data, software, materials and platform fees. Personal costs are not deductible. A registered tax practitioner can confirm what applies to you.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is an estimate based on SARS tables. It does not include medical credits, retirement contributions, interest or other income.
Sources
- SARS: Rates of tax for individuals (checked 24 October 2026)
- SARS: Provisional tax (checked 24 October 2026)
We update fees and rates when providers change them. If you spot one that is out of date, tell us.
Read next
- Provisional tax for freelancers, simply explained
- Side income tax in South Africa
- Freelance rate calculator
Earn Path is not a financial services provider and does not give financial advice. This tool gives estimates for your own planning.