HR & Payroll in South Africa

Good to know

Local Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Minimum Salary: The minimum hourly wage has been increased to R  27,58 in 2024.

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: working hours must not exceed 45 hours per week.

Paid Leave: the employee is entitled to 21 continuous days’ annual leave on full pay in every leave cycle.

Leave cycle means a period of 12 months commencing from the first day of employment or commencing from the end of the previous leave.

About South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa.

South Africa is the second largest African power in terms of GDP. The country is known worldwide for producing gold.

According to the latest statistics, in 2021, South Africa produced an estimated of 100 tons of gold. Agriculture is also of major importance in South Africa. The country has a highly diversified agricultural sector.

Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in the world with 3 capital cities.  These are: Cape Town, the legislative capital, Pretoria, the executive capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.

Are you looking to settle in South Africa? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our South Africans payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation. 

Ready to Benefit from South African HR & Payroll Experts?

The South African social security system

South Africa has made good progress in broadening social assistance and expanding health care and social insurance since 1994. However, there is still no public fund to finance all welfare programs. A large number of private occupational and voluntary schemes have been established but not everyone is covered.

Administrative Organisation

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

The mission of the agency is to administer social security services to eligible children, older persons and people with disabilities.

South African Revenu Service (SARS)

The mandate of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is to collect all revenues due, ensure optimal compliance with tax and customs legislation, and provide a customs and excise service that will facilitate legitimate trade as well as protect the economy and society.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) gives short-term relief to workers when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of maternity, adoption and parental leave, or illness. It also provides relief to the dependents of a deceased contributor.

Contributions in South Africa

Currently, the only contribution is for the UIF – The Unemployment Insurance Fund – which is only the social security program financed by both employers and employees.

Employees and employers are each obligated to make contributions to an unemployment insurance fund at the rate of 1% of gross remuneration. The employer must pay a total contribution of 2% (1% contributed by the employee and 1% contributed by the employer) within the prescribed period.

Personal Income Tax

The employer must be registered for PAYE (Pay as you earn) with SARS. The employee has to register for income tax with SARS.

It’s the employer responsibility to obtain the employee’s income tax reference number before any payments. The employee also is liable for calculating taxes as per the statutory tax tables and to withhold those taxes from the employee’s salary.

Income tax must be transferred by the employer to SARS before/on the 7th day of the following month.

PAYE Calculation Slab

2023 tax year (1 March 2023 – 29 February 2024)

Taxable Income (ZAR)Tax Rate
1 – 237 100 18% of taxable income
237 101 – 370 500 42 678 + 26% of taxable income above 237 100 
370 501 – 512 800 77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500 
512 801 – 673 000 121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800 
673 001 – 857 900 179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000 
857 901 – 1 817 000 251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900 
1 817 001 and above644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000 

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in South Africa.

Our Payroll and HR services in South Africa

HR & Payroll in South Africa

HR & Payroll in South Africa

Payroll in South Africa

Good to know

Local Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Minimum Salary: The minimum hourly wage has been increased to R  27,58 in 2024

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: working hours must not exceed 45 hours per week.

Paid Leave: the employee is entitled to 21 continuous days’ annual leave on full pay in every leave cycle.

Leave cycle means a period of 12 months commencing from the first day of employment or commencing from the end of the previous leave.

Ready to Benefit from South African HR & Payroll Experts?

About South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa.

South Africa is the second largest African power in terms of GDP. The country is known worldwide for producing gold. According to the latest statistics, in 2021, South Africa produced an estimated of 100 tons of gold. Agriculture is also of major importance in South Africa. The country has a highly diversified agricultural sector.

Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in the world with 3 capital cities.  These are: Cape Town, the legislative capital, Pretoria, the executive capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.

Are you looking to settle in South Africa? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our South Africans payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation. 

The South African social security system

South Africa has made good progress in broadening social assistance and expanding health care and social insurance since 1994. However, there is still no public fund to finance all welfare programs. A large number of private occupational and voluntary schemes have been established but not everyone is covered.

Administrative Organisation

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

The mission of the agency is to administer social security services to eligible children, older persons and people with disabilities.

South African Revenu Service (SARS)

The mandate of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is to collect all revenues due, ensure optimal compliance with tax and customs legislation, and provide a customs and excise service that will facilitate legitimate trade as well as protect the economy and society.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) gives short-term relief to workers when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of maternity, adoption and parental leave, or illness. It also provides relief to the dependents of a deceased contributor.

Contributions in South Africa

Currently, the only contribution is for the UIF – The Unemployment Insurance Fund – which is only the social security program financed by both employers and employees.

Employees and employers are each obligated to make contributions to an unemployment insurance fund at the rate of 1% of gross remuneration. The employer must pay a total contribution of 2% (1% contributed by the employee and 1% contributed by the employer) within the prescribed period.

Personal Income Tax

The employer must be registered for PAYE (Pay as you earn) with SARS. The employee has to register for income tax with SARS.

It’s the employer responsibility to obtain the employee’s income tax reference number before any payments. The employee also is liable for calculating taxes as per the statutory tax tables and to withhold those taxes from the employee’s salary.

Income tax must be transferred by the employer to SARS before/on the 7th day of the following month.

                                                             PAYE Calculation Slab                                                                    2023 tax year (1 March 2023 – 29 February 2024)

Taxable Income (ZAR)Tax Rate
1 – 226,00018% of taxable income
226,001 – 353,10040,680 + 26% of taxable income 226,00
370 501 – 512 800 77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500 
512 801 – 673 000 121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800 
673 001 – 857 900 179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000 
857 901 – 1 817 000251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900 
1 817 001 and above 644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000 

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in South Africa.

Our Payroll and HR services in South Africa

Good to know

Local Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)

Minimum Salary: The minimum hourly wage has been increased to R  27,58 in 2024

Salary Calculation: gross to net

Legal Working Hours: working hours must not exceed 45 hours per week.

Paid Leave: the employee is entitled to 21 continuous days’ annual leave on full pay in every leave cycle.

Leave cycle means a period of 12 months commencing from the first day of employment or commencing from the end of the previous leave. 

Ready to Benefit from South African HR & Payroll Experts?

About South Africa

South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa.

South Africa is the second largest African power in terms of GDP. The country is known worldwide for producing gold. According to the latest statistics, in 2021, South Africa produced an estimated of 100 tons of gold. Agriculture is also of major importance in South Africa. The country has a highly diversified agricultural sector.

Fun fact: South Africa is the only country in the world with 3 capital cities.  These are: Cape Town, the legislative capital, Pretoria, the executive capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.

Are you looking to settle in South Africa? Do you need help with payroll or human resources management? Our South African payroll and HR experts will provide you with a fast and accurate service in full compliance with local legislation. 

The South African social security system

South Africa has made good progress in broadening social assistance and expanding health

care and social insurance since 1994. However, there is still no public fund to finance all welfare programs. A large number of private occupational and voluntary schemes have been established but not everyone is covered.

Administrative Organisation

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

The mission of the agency is to administer social security services to eligible children, older persons and people with disabilities.

South African Revenu Service (SARS)

The mandate of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is to collect all revenues due, ensure optimal compliance with tax and customs legislation, and provide a customs and excise service that will facilitate legitimate trade as well as protect the economy and society.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) gives short-term relief to workers when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of maternity, adoption and parental leave, or illness. It also provides relief to the dependents of a deceased contributor.

Contributions in South Africa

Currently, the only contribution is for the UIF – The Unemployment Insurance Fund – which is only the social security program financed by both employers and employees.

Employees and employers are each obligated to make contributions to an unemployment insurance fund at the rate of 1% of gross remuneration. The employer must pay a total contribution of 2% (1% contributed by the employee and 1% contributed by the employer) within the prescribed period.

Personal Income Tax

The employer must be registered for PAYE (Pay as you earn) with SARS. The employee has to register for income tax with SARS.

It’s the employer responsibility to obtain the employee’s income tax reference number before any payments. The employee also is liable for calculating taxes as per the statutory tax tables and to withhold those taxes from the employee’s salary.

Income tax must be transferred by the employer to SARS before/on the 7th day of the following month.

PAYE Calculation Slab 

2023 tax year (1 March 2023 – 29 February 2024)

Taxable Income (ZAR)Tax Rate
1 – 237 10018% of taxable income
237 101 – 370 50042 678 + 26% of taxable income above 237 100
370 501 – 512 800

77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500

512 801 – 673 000121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800
673 001 – 857 900179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000
857 901 – 1 817 000251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900
1 817 001 and above644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000

Our HR & Payroll Experts are Ready to Help

Payroll and HR are different in each country and to each business. Trust one of our local experts to ensure your company’s compliance in South Africa.

Our Payroll and HR services in South Africa

Sources