Business tax, made simple.
Plain-English guidance on how South African tax actually applies to your business — what you owe, what you can deduct, and when it's due. Built for owners, not accountants.
Free to download. The tax deadline calendar, the knowledge centre and the enquiry line to a registered tax practitioner are all free to use — no subscription, no time limit.
What's inside
Ten tools covering the questions South African business owners actually ask, all calculated on current SARS figures for the 2027 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027). Three of them are free.
Tax Deadlines
Provisional tax, VAT201, EMP201 and annual return dates, with what each one actually requires.
Knowledge Centre
Straight answers on SBC rates, VAT registration, deductions, dividends tax, company structures and which entity to buy property in.
Speak to a Tax Professional
A direct enquiry line to a registered South African tax practitioner when a question needs a human answer.
How Should I Pay Myself?
Enter what you want to take out of your company and see whether a salary, a dividend, or a combination leaves you with the most after all tax.
What Will I Pay If I Sell My Property?
Estimate the Capital Gains Tax on a property sale, whether it is held in your own name, a company or a trust — including the primary residence exclusion.
Business Tax Analysis
Answer a few questions and get a roadmap of which taxes apply to your structure and turnover.
Compare Tax Position
Sole proprietor versus company versus Small Business Corporation — with dividends tax included, so the comparison is like-for-like.
SBC Eligibility Checker
Work through the statutory tests to see whether you qualify for Small Business Corporation rates.
Expense Checker
What you can and cannot deduct under section 11(a) — vehicles, home office, equipment, travel.
VAT Centre
Registration thresholds, zero-rated versus exempt supplies, input tax and the common pitfalls.
Action Plan
A prioritised list of what to do next for your specific situation.
Three tools, free, no subscription
Download the app and use the tax deadline calendar, the knowledge centre and the practitioner enquiry line for free, indefinitely. No trial period, no card required, no account to create.
Never miss a SARS deadline
Provisional tax, VAT201, EMP201 and annual returns — with the actual submission requirements, not just dates.
Understand the rules
Clear answers on the questions that come up most: SBC qualification, VAT registration, what counts as deductible, and which entity to buy property in.
Ask a real practitioner
When the app cannot answer it, send your question straight to a registered South African tax practitioner. Free to use, no subscription.
Pricing
The app is free to download and the three tools above stay free. A subscription unlocks everything else.
Essential Monthly
- How Should I Pay Myself? calculator
- Compare tax position by structure
- Capital Gains Tax on a property sale
- SBC eligibility checker
- Expense and deduction guidance
- Ongoing tax updates
Professional Annual
- Everything in Essential
- Business tax roadmaps
- Direct enquiry line to a registered tax practitioner
- Priority access to new features
Roughly R83 per month when paid annually. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and can be managed in your Apple ID or Google Play account settings.
Common questions
A sample of what the knowledge centre covers, using current SARS figures for the 2027 tax year.
What are the Small Business Corporation tax rates for 2027?
An SBC pays no tax on the first R99,000 of taxable income, 7% on income between R99,001 and R365,000, then R18,620 plus 21% between R365,001 and R550,000, and R57,470 plus 27% above R550,000. Compared with the flat 27% company rate, a qualifying SBC can save a meaningful amount — but you must meet all the statutory tests, including the shareholding and turnover requirements.
When must I register for VAT in South Africa?
Registration is compulsory once your taxable supplies exceed R2.3 million in any twelve-month period, effective 1 April 2026 — up from R1 million previously. You may register voluntarily once taxable supplies have exceeded R120,000. Registering when you don't have to creates administrative work and does not always benefit you, so it's worth understanding the trade-off first.
How much tax do I pay to take money out of my company?
Two routes. A salary is deductible for the company and taxed in your hands at your personal marginal rate, with PAYE withheld monthly. A dividend is paid from after-tax profits and attracts dividends tax at a flat 20%, withheld by the company. So a rand of profit distributed as a dividend has borne 27% company tax and then 20% dividends tax — a combined effective rate of about 41.6%. Most owner-managed businesses use a mix, and the optimal split depends on your personal marginal rate.
How is a trust taxed compared with a company?
A trust other than a special trust is taxed at a flat 45% on all taxable income, with no rebates and no access to Small Business Corporation rates. A company pays 27%. Income distributed to beneficiaries may instead be taxed in their hands under the conduit principle, which is why trust structures need proper advice rather than assumptions.
What are the individual tax rates for 2027?
The brackets run from 18% on the first R245,100 of taxable income up to 45% above R1,878,600. The primary rebate is R17,820, and the tax threshold below which no tax is payable is R99,000 for those under 65. Sole proprietors are taxed on these individual rates, which is why comparing structures matters as profits grow.
Can I deduct my vehicle, home office and laptop?
Often yes, but each has conditions. Vehicle claims generally require a logbook distinguishing business from private travel. Home office deductions require the space to be used regularly and exclusively for trade. Equipment is usually claimed over its useful life rather than in full immediately. The expense checker walks through what applies to your situation.
Is this tax advice?
No. My Business Tax is an educational tool that explains how South African tax rules work and calculates figures based on current SARS rates. It does not know your full circumstances and does not replace a registered tax practitioner. Confirm anything material with a professional before acting on it.
Which tax year does the app use?
The 2027 year of assessment, running from 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, using rates announced in the February 2026 Budget. Figures are updated after each annual Budget.
Do I need a subscription to use the app?
No. The app is free to download, and three tools are free to use with no time limit: the tax deadline calendar, the knowledge centre, and the enquiry line to a registered tax practitioner. The calculators and analysis tools require a subscription.
How do I cancel a subscription?
On iPhone, through your Apple ID account settings — Settings, then your name, then Subscriptions. On Android, in the Google Play Store app under Payments and subscriptions. Cancel at least 24 hours before the renewal date. You keep access until the end of the period you have already paid for.
Get in touch
Questions, problems, or feedback on the app — we read everything.
This opens your email app with the message ready to send. You can also email app@enslins.co.za directly.
Get My Business Tax
Free to download, with three tools free forever. Subscribe inside the app when you need the calculators.
R249,99 per month or R999,99 per year. Cancel any time.