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South Africa vs China
Tax Rate Comparison

Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.

πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South Africa
vs
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China
Tax Year:

πŸ’° Personal Income Tax Calculator

Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country β€” side by side.

Enter your annual income above to see your personal tax comparison β†’
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
Top Income Tax Rate
18–45%
Top rate maintained; NHI funding discussions
No change
3–45%
Continued deduction reforms; threshold adjustments likely
No change
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
16%
VAT raised to 16% from 1 April 2026 (Budget 2025)
β–² +0.5pp vs 2025
6–13%
13%/9%/6% structure maintained
No change
Corporate Tax Rate
Corporate Tax Rate
27%
Stable; National Health Insurance funding debate
No change
25%
Pillar Two implementation progressing
No change
Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax
~18%
Possible review of inclusion rate
No change
20%
National property tax reform bill still pending
No change
Social Security & Payroll
Social Security / Payroll
~2%
NHI contribution framework being developed
No change
~36%
Gradual unification of social insurance base ongoing
No change
State, Regional & Local Taxes

πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South Africa β€” Provincial & Municipal Taxes

South Africa's 9 provinces do not levy their own income tax β€” this is national. Municipalities levy property rates (0.5%–2.5% of assessed value/year), utilities, and refuse levies. Cape Town and Johannesburg have relatively higher municipal rates. Load-shedding prompted energy-related tax credits in recent budgets.

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China β€” Provincial, Municipal & Surcharge Taxes

China's 34 provincial-level regions vary in social insurance rates (employer contributions: ~16–23% depending on province). Cities impose Urban Maintenance & Construction Tax (1–7% of VAT paid). Education surcharges add 3–5%. Local governments levy land use taxes by city tier. Free Trade Zones often have preferential 15% corporate rates.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Rates shown are standard top/headline rates for informational purposes. Actual tax liability depends on income level, residency, deductions, and tax treaties. 2025–2026 data reflects announced or enacted rates and may be subject to change. Not financial or legal advice.

South Africa vs China: Key Tax Differences (2026)

πŸ’° Income Tax: South Africa and China have similar top income tax rates (18–45% vs 3–45%).

πŸ›’ VAT/Sales Tax: South Africa has a higher consumption tax (16% vs 6–13%).

🏒 Corporate Tax: πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China offers a lower corporate rate (25% vs 27%), which can influence business location decisions.

πŸ“ˆ Capital Gains: πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South Africa taxes investment gains at a lower rate (18% vs 20%), benefiting investors.

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