property
How Much Transfer Duty Will You Pay in 2026?
The R1.1 million nil band still shapes many purchases. Here is how progressive transfer duty works and when VAT applies instead.
20 September 2026
Transfer duty is a tax on acquiring fixed property in South Africa. It is progressive: higher prices pay higher rates on portions of the value above lower bands.
The R1.1 million band
In the scale modelled on CalculatorHub SA, value up to R1.1 million sits in a 0% band. A purchase at R1,000,000 or R1,100,000 may attract no transfer duty in that model, while R2,500,000 attracts duty on the excess above the nil band using stepped rates.
VAT vs transfer duty
Buying from a VAT-registered developer often means 15% VAT on the price instead of transfer duty. Confirm with your conveyancer which regime applies.
Other costs
Duty is only one line. Budget conveyancing, bond registration, deposits, rates clearances and moving costs. Use the Property Transfer Duty Calculator for the SARS duty estimate, then add professional fees separately.
Solar note
Some energy-related tax measures have offered limited relief with caps. Rules change — treat any solar credit illustration as educational and verify with SARS.
Next steps
Run your offer price on the property calculator, stress-test affordability with the tax calculator, and browse Resources.
FAQs
Do I pay duty under R1.1m?
In the nil band used here, often R0 — confirm current SARS scale.
New build from developer?
Often VAT, not transfer duty.
Who pays?
Usually the purchaser.