Provisional Tax Calculator
South Africa 2026/27
Provisional tax in South Africa is a system under the 4th Schedule of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 that requires taxpayers with non-PAYE income to make advance tax payments — a first payment by 31 August and a second payment by 28 February — to prevent a large lump-sum liability at assessment.
What Is Provisional Tax in South Africa?
Provisional Tax Explained
Provisional tax is not a separate tax — it is a method of paying income tax in advance. Any person whose income is not fully subject to PAYE withholding must register as a provisional taxpayer and make two advance payments per tax year. The 4th Schedule of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 governs the entire system.
The system exists because SARS cannot collect income tax in real time from business owners, freelancers, rental income earners, and investors in the way it collects PAYE from employees. Without provisional tax, these taxpayers would settle their entire annual liability in one payment after assessment — creating cash flow problems and tax gaps for the fiscus.
Executors of deceased estates are also provisional taxpayers. During the administration period, the estate earns income — rental income, interest, dividends — and the executor must account for that income through provisional tax payments until the estate is wound up.
IRP6 Estimate — 2026/27
Calculate Your Provisional Tax
20% Underestimation Penalty Risk: If your provisional tax estimate is materially lower than your actual liability, SARS may levy a 20% penalty on the shortfall. Always base your estimate on your best realistic income projection. Source: Income Tax Act — 4th Schedule.
Provisional Tax Estimate
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Second Period Payment Due (Feb)
Source: Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 — 4th Schedule
Figures as at: Budget 2026/27
Data: SARS Budget 2026/27 Tax Pocket Guide
Provisional tax estimates are the taxpayer's responsibility. If the estimate submitted is materially lower than the actual liability for the year, SARS may levy a 20% underestimation penalty. This calculation is a planning guide only. The official provisional tax return (IRP6) must be submitted via SARS eFiling. Consult a registered tax practitioner before submitting any IRP6.
Calculation Methodology
How Provisional Tax Is Calculated in South Africa
- Step 1: Estimate your total taxable income for the year
Project all income sources: business profit, rental income, interest, dividends, freelance fees, and any employment income. This is your estimated annual taxable income — the figure submitted on the IRP6 form.4th Schedule, para 19 - Step 2: Apply the 2026/27 income tax table to arrive at your annual tax liability
The 2026/27 table starts at 18% on the first R245,100 and escalates to 45% on income above R1,878,600. Deduct the primary rebate (R17,820), secondary rebate (R9,765 if aged 65+), and tertiary rebate (R3,249 if aged 75+).Income Tax Act s6; Budget 2026/27 - Step 3: Deduct PAYE already withheld
If you also earn a salary, your employer withholds PAYE on that portion. Subtract the total PAYE withheld for the year from your annual tax liability to get the net provisional tax amount.4th Schedule, para 23 - Step 4: First period payment — 50% of net liability, due 31 August 2026
The first IRP6 submission and payment is due by 31 August each year. Pay at least 50% of your estimated net liability. Paying less does not automatically trigger a penalty at this stage but increases the second period risk.4th Schedule, para 21 - Step 5: Second period payment — balance of net liability, due 28 February 2027
The second IRP6 must reflect your best estimate of the full year liability. Subtract payments already made. The shortfall is your second period payment. Underestimate materially and SARS levies a 20% penalty.4th Schedule, para 23A
Worked Example
Provisional Tax Calculation — Freelance Consultant
A 42-year-old freelance management consultant estimates her income for 2026/27 will be R850,000. She also earns a part-time salary of R200,000 from which R32,400 PAYE has been withheld.
Common Mistakes
Three Mistakes Practitioners Make with Provisional Tax
1. Estimating based on last year without considering income growth
Many provisional taxpayers simply repeat the prior year estimate. If income has grown materially, this creates a shortfall on the second period IRP6 that triggers the 20% underestimation penalty. Always base the estimate on realistic current-year projections, not prior year actuals.
2. Forgetting to include PAYE from employment income in the estimate
Provisional taxpayers who also earn a salary sometimes calculate provisional tax on their full taxable income without crediting the PAYE their employer has already withheld. This results in overpayment. The net liability is the full-year tax minus PAYE already withheld — not the tax on non-PAYE income alone.
3. Missing the first period deadline and paying only in February
Some provisional taxpayers pay nothing in August and settle the full amount in February. SARS can impose penalties for the failure to submit the first IRP6 on time, even if the total amount eventually paid is correct. Both deadlines are statutory — both IRP6 submissions must be filed on SARS eFiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Provisional Tax Questions — South African Practitioners
Who must register as a provisional taxpayer in South Africa?
Any person who receives income that is not subject to PAYE withholding must register as a provisional taxpayer. This includes sole proprietors, directors of private companies, freelancers, rental income earners, and persons with taxable investment income exceeding R30,000 per year. Employed persons whose PAYE withholding does not cover their full tax liability must also register. Source: Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 — 4th Schedule, paragraph 1.
When are provisional tax payments due in South Africa for 2026/27?
For the 2026/27 tax year (1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027): the first provisional tax payment (IRP6 — first period) is due by 31 August 2026 and must be based on at least 50% of the estimated annual liability. The second provisional tax payment is due by 28 February 2027 and must represent the full estimated annual liability minus the first payment and any PAYE withheld.
What is the 20% underestimation penalty for provisional tax?
If a provisional taxpayer's estimate submitted on the second period IRP6 is less than the basic amount — 90% of the assessed liability for the preceding year, or 80% of the actual liability — SARS may levy a 20% penalty on the difference between the tax on the actual income and the tax on the amount estimated. This penalty is in addition to interest charged at the prescribed rate.
Does a salaried employee need to pay provisional tax in South Africa?
A salaried employee whose only income is from employment subject to PAYE is generally exempt from provisional tax. However, if the same employee earns taxable interest, rental income, business income, or any other income not subject to PAYE exceeding R30,000 per year, they must register as a provisional taxpayer. PAYE already withheld reduces the provisional tax obligation directly.
Is an executor of a deceased estate a provisional taxpayer?
Yes. An executor administering a deceased estate is a provisional taxpayer for all income earned by the estate during the administration period — rental income, interest, dividends, and capital gains on asset disposals. The estate is taxed as a separate taxpayer at individual rates. The executor must submit IRP6 returns during administration and an annual income tax return. Provisional tax obligations continue until the estate is wound up.
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