Transfer Duty Calculator (South Africa) ☆ Stoor
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Budget 2026 restructured transfer duty
These are the current bands, effective for property acquired from 1 March 2026. If you have seen a different table recently, it is the superseded one — the structure genuinely changed, it was not just an inflation nudge.
| Property value | Transfer duty |
|---|---|
| Up to R1,210,000 | Nil |
| R1,210,001 – R1,663,800 | 3% of the value above R1,210,000 |
| R1,663,801 – R2,329,300 | R13,614 + 6% above R1,663,800 |
| R2,329,301 – R2,994,800 | R53,544 + 8% above R2,329,300 |
| R2,994,801 – R13,310,000 | R106,784 + 11% above R2,994,800 |
| Above R13,310,000 | R1,241,456 + 13% above R13,310,000 |
The threshold rising to R1,210,000 is the headline for most buyers: a large share of first homes now attract no transfer duty at all.
Transfer duty is only one of the costs
Buyers routinely budget the deposit and the bond repayment, then get caught by everything that lands at transfer. Budget separately for:
- Transfer duty (above) — paid to SARS via the conveyancer;
- Conveyancing fees for the transferring attorney, which scale with the purchase price;
- Bond registration costs — a separate attorney and a separate bill from the transfer;
- Deeds Office fees;
- Rates and levy clearance — usually several months paid in advance;
- Occupational rent, if you move in before transfer;
- Moving costs and immediate repairs.
Ask your conveyancer for a written pro-forma statement of all costs early. A transfer that stalls because the buyer cannot fund the duty and fees is common and entirely predictable.
When transfer duty does not apply
Two important cases:
- VAT instead of transfer duty. If the seller is a VAT vendor and the sale is in the course of their enterprise — typically a developer selling a new build — the transaction attracts VAT at 15% rather than transfer duty. You do not pay both. The price is usually quoted VAT-inclusive, so confirm which applies before budgeting;
- Property below the threshold — no duty at all under R1,210,000.
There are also specific reliefs (for example certain transfers between spouses or on divorce, and some corporate restructures). These are fact-specific — ask your conveyancer rather than assuming.
Fitting it into the whole purchase
Work the numbers in this order:
- What can you actually borrow? Check with the bond qualification calculator, using take-home pay from the income tax calculator;
- What does the bond cost monthly? The bond calculator — remember prime is currently 10.50%, and your rate is usually quoted relative to it;
- What does the transaction cost in cash? Duty (above) plus the fees listed;
- Is buying better than renting for you? Test it in the rent vs buy calculator rather than assuming.
And once you own it, the extra payment calculator shows what even small overpayments do — usually the highest-return use of spare money a homeowner has.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays transfer duty?
The buyer, via the conveyancing attorney, who pays SARS. It must be settled before transfer can be registered.
Can transfer duty be added to my bond?
Some lenders allow a larger bond to cover costs, but many require the cash. Ask early — assuming it can be financed is a common and expensive surprise.
Is duty payable on the purchase price or the value?
On the higher of the consideration paid or the fair value. SARS can query a price that looks artificially low.
Do I pay VAT and transfer duty?
No — one or the other. VAT applies when the seller is a VAT vendor selling in the course of their enterprise; otherwise transfer duty applies.
What about buying in a company or trust?
Transfer duty applies at the same rates regardless of who buys. The wider tax consequences differ considerably — take advice before structuring a purchase that way.
Bands are the restructured 2026/27 rates per the Budget 2026 tax guide, effective 1 March 2026. Conveyancing and bond registration costs vary by attorney and price — get a written pro-forma. General information, not tax or legal advice; confirm with SARS or a conveyancer.