Transfer Duty Calculator

Transfer duty uses a sliding scale - each bracket only applies to the portion of the price that falls within it, not the full amount.

Source: SARS, effective 1 April 2025. Unchanged for 2026/2027.

Transfer duty is not payable in the following situations:

• Price at or below R1,210,000 - zero-rated under the 2026 threshold
• VAT-registered seller - new developments where the developer is VAT-registered; VAT (15%) is charged instead
• Inheritance - property inherited in terms of a will or intestate succession
• Transfer between spouses - property transferred to a spouse under an ante-nuptial or post-nuptial contract
• Cancelled transactions - if a sale is cancelled and the property reverts to the original owner

Always confirm your specific situation with a conveyancing attorney - exemptions have conditions.

Conveyancing and bond registration fees are regulated by the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) guideline tariff. This calculator uses those guidelines plus an allowance for disbursements (FICA, deeds office searches, postage, and admin).

• Conveyancing fee: paid to the transfer attorney appointed by the seller. Covers the legal work of transferring ownership at the Deeds Office.
• Bond registration fee: paid to the bond attorney appointed by your bank. Covers registering the mortgage bond over the property.
• Both fees include VAT (15%) and an estimate for disbursements.

Actual fees vary by firm. Some attorneys charge below the guideline tariff - it is worth getting a quote upfront.

Transfer duty must be paid to SARS within six months of the date of the sale agreement (not the date of registration). Your conveyancing attorney handles this on your behalf as part of the transfer process.

If payment is late, SARS charges interest at 10% per annum plus a 10% penalty. In practice your attorney will not allow registration to proceed until transfer duty has been paid and a receipt issued by SARS - so delays are rare.

The full transfer process (from signed offer to registration) typically takes 6 to 12 weeks depending on whether a bond is involved and how quickly all parties respond.

Transfer duty is a tax paid to SARS when you purchase a property. It is calculated on the purchase price using a sliding scale of brackets - properties priced at R1,210,000 or less pay no transfer duty at all.

The buyer pays transfer duty. It must be paid to SARS within six months of the date of the sale agreement, or interest and penalties apply.

For the 2026/2027 tax year, no transfer duty is payable on properties priced at R1,210,000 or less. This threshold was raised from R1,100,000 in the February 2026 budget.

Yes. When buying directly from a VAT-registered developer - such as a new sectional title unit or newly built house - VAT (15%) is included in the purchase price instead of transfer duty. You cannot pay both. Always confirm which applies with your conveyancing attorney.

Besides transfer duty, buyers pay conveyancing attorney fees (for the transfer), bond registration fees (if using a home loan), and Deeds Office levies. This calculator estimates all three based on LSSA guideline rates.

Transfer duty itself cannot be added to your bond - SARS requires direct payment. However, some lenders will increase your bond to cover transfer costs including attorney fees. Discuss this with your bank or bond originator.