The latest tax statistics for South Africa reveal that approximately 340 000 taxpayers earned over R1 million in 2023. This group, making up less around 5% of taxpayers, contributed over 45% of total personal income tax. South Africa’s tax system is highly progressive, with about 70 000 individuals (roughly 1% of taxpayers) earning over R2 million accounting for almost a quarter of personal income tax receipts. Additionally, around 1.3 million taxpayers earning above R500,000 per year shouldered approximately 75% of the total personal tax liability. Overall, South Africa has about 5.2 million taxpayers above the tax-free threshold, including over a million employed in the public sector.
