South Africa vs Malawi
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
💰 Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country — side by side.
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
Corporate Tax Rate
Capital Gains Tax
Social Security & Payroll
🇿🇦 South Africa — Provincial & Municipal Taxes
South Africa's 9 provinces do not levy their own income tax — 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.
🇲🇼 Malawi — District & City Councils
Malawi's 28 district councils and city/town assemblies levy property rates, trading licences, and local service charges. The Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) administers national taxes. Malawi is landlocked and one of the world's poorest countries — highly dependent on tobacco exports (declining due to health campaigns), tea, and sugar, plus significant international aid. An IMF Extended Credit Facility has been supporting fiscal consolidation. The kwacha has experienced significant depreciation, complicating tax bracket real values over time.
South Africa vs Malawi: Key Tax Differences (2026)
💰 Income Tax: 🇿🇦 South Africa has a higher top income tax rate (18–45% vs 0–35%). 🇲🇼 Malawi is more favourable for high earners.
🛒 VAT/Sales Tax: Both countries have comparable consumption tax rates (16% vs 16.5%).
🏢 Corporate Tax: 🇿🇦 South Africa offers a lower corporate rate (27% vs 30%), which can influence business location decisions.
📈 Capital Gains: 🇿🇦 South Africa taxes investment gains at a lower rate (18% vs 30%), benefiting investors.