Income Tax brackets in South Africa

The tax season has opened and there are millions of new tax payers asking questions about how it works and what it means.

Tax brackets are in place to indicate the percentage of your income contributable to SARS according to your income.

The tax brackets in South Africa look as follows:

Taxable income (R) (Annually)	Rates of tax (R)
0 – 174 550	18% of each R1
174 551 – 272 700	31 419 + 25% of the amount above 174550
272 701 – 377 450	55 957 + 30% of the amount above 272 700
377 451 - 528 000	87 382 + 35% of the amount above 377 450
528 001 - 673 100	140 074 + 38% of the amount above 528 000
673 101 and above	195 212 + 40% of the amount above 673 100

 

Make sure you are certain of which tax bracket you fall under before submitting your tax returns this season.

What do you think the average tax income of South Africa is?

10 Tips to help you avoid hijackings

South Africa is regarded as one of the countries in the world where the most hijackings per capita take place every year. While most of us probably feel quite safe at home (given that we take precautions such as having cameras, alarms and electric fencing installed in our homes, that doesn't mean that we should stop being aware of the dangers that face us. Here are a few tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe from falling victim to a hijacking:

 

•   Make a mental note of any police stations in the vicinity.

 

•   When stopping behind another vehicle, leave half a vehicle length in front of your vehicle to make an emergency escape if necessary.

 

•   Check rear-view mirror to ensure you are not being followed.

 

•   Be extra alert when you get around 2km away from your house. Switch off the car radio and concentrate on your surroundings as you approach your home. If you have noticed any vehicle behind you, drive at a normal speed to the nearest police station or a busy public area.

 

•   Remember to stop your vehicle just on the inside of the gate and select reverse whilst waiting for the gate to close. This creates confusion for anyone who may be watching, and may buy you a few seconds for the gate to close completely behind you.

 

•   Check your driveway and street before you leave or enter your premises.

 

•   Make sure your driveway is well lit and clear from shrubbery where perpetrators can hide.

 

•   Be aware of unknown pedestrians close to your residential address –do not turn into your driveway –pass and go back later.

 

•   Be aware of vehicles parked close to your address with occupants inside. It might be perpetrators observing the area.

 

•   Phone your home and ask for someone to make sure your driveway is safe and to open and close the gate for you.

 

•   When returning home after dark, ensure that an outside light is on, or have someone meet you at the gate. Check with your armed response company if they are rendering rendezvous services.

 

Have you ever been Hijacked? Tell us in the comment section.