Transfer Duty Calculator — South Africa
Transfer duty is levied by SARS on the acquisition of property in South Africa. It uses a sliding scale based on the purchase price.
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How Transfer Duty Works in South Africa
Transfer duty is levied by SARS on the acquisition of property in South Africa. It uses a sliding scale based on the purchase price.
Transfer Duty uses a progressive sliding scale — you only pay the higher rate on the portion of the price that falls within each band, not on the full purchase price.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| R 0,00 – R 1 210 000,00 | Exempt (0%) |
| R 1 210 001,00 – R 1 663 800,00 | 3.0% |
| R 1 663 801,00 – R 2 329 300,00 | 6.0% |
| R 2 329 301,00 – R 2 994 800,00 | 8.0% |
| R 2 994 801,00 – R 13 310 000,00 | 11.0% |
| R 13 310 001,00 and above | 13.0% |
Other Purchase Costs in South Africa
Beyond Transfer Duty, buyers typically pay the following fees when purchasing property in South Africa. These are included in the calculator above.
Bond Attorney Fees
Legal fees for the bond registration attorney to register the mortgage bond at the Deeds Office. Based on Law Society of South Africa guidelines (effective 1 August 2025, excl. VAT). Actual fees may vary — attorneys may charge more or less than the guideline.
Only applies when financing with a mortgage.
Deeds Office Bond Fee
Government fee payable to the Deeds Office for registering the bond. Set by Government Gazette No. 54225, effective 1 April 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Only applies when financing with a mortgage.
Bank Initiation Fee
Once-off fee charged by the bank to open the home loan account. Applies to natural persons (individuals). Amount varies by bank — typically R5,750 to R6,500.
Bond Postage & Petties
Administrative costs including postage, FICA verification, and sundry disbursements for bond registration. Estimate — actual amounts vary by attorney (typically R1,500 – R2,500).
Deeds Office Lodgement Fee (Bond)
Lodgement fee charged by the Deeds Office per deed or document lodged. R52 per document. Set by Government Gazette No. 54225.
Transfer Attorney Fees
Legal fees for the conveyancing attorney who handles the property ownership transfer. Based on 2026 projected Law Society of South Africa guidelines (excl. VAT). Actual fees may vary — attorneys may charge more or less than the guideline.
Deeds Office Transfer Fee
Government fee payable to the Deeds Office for registering the property transfer. Set by Government Gazette No. 54225, effective 1 April 2026 to 28 February 2027.
Transfer Postage & Petties
Administrative costs including postage, FICA verification, and sundry disbursements for the transfer. Estimate — actual amounts vary by attorney (typically R2,000 – R3,000).
Deeds Office Lodgement Fee (Transfer)
Lodgement fee charged by the Deeds Office per deed or document lodged. R52 per document. Set by Government Gazette No. 54225.
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