(Last updated: 9 Sep 2013)
Taxation
South Africa has a double taxation agreement with Australia. A Value Added Tax is applied at a rate of 14 per cent on all goods and services, except for a limited number of exempt items, such as essential basic goods.
South Africa has just switched from a source-based to a resident-based income tax system. Specific excise duties of various percentages are levied on certain imported and domestically produced foodstuffs, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and on petrol and diesel fuels.
Ad valorem excise duties are levied on luxury items, according to the following formula - customs value + 15 per cent + calculated customs duty (if applicable):
- mineral water and alcoholic beverages
- tobacco products
- perfumes
- photographic and audio-visual products
- watches and clocks
- firearms
- motor vehicles
The corporate tax rate is 30 per cent with Secondary Tax on Companies (STC) at a rate of 12.5 per cent giving an effective 38.75 per cent tax on distribution. Local branches of foreign companies pay 35 per cent but are exempt for STC. There is no withholding tax or interest on dividends for non-residents. Capital allowances on manufacturing plants and machinery is generally at a rate of 20 per cent write-off per annum.