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Archived article. Legal rules and procedures may have changed since publication. Contact the firm for advice on your circumstances.

Budget 2026: How Much Will the Increased CGT Primary Residence Exclusion Save You?

Published By Law DotNewsUpdated

“We are also proposing additional tax measures to ease the financial burden on households and businesses, by adjusting personal income tax brackets and rebates fully in line with inflation.” (Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana)

How much will I save if I sell my house?

A big highlight for property sellers and buyers is that, having remained unchanged since 2012, the primary residence exclusion for Capital Gains Tax has been increased from R2 million to R3 million. In addition, the annual CGT exclusion has been increased for individuals by 25% from R40,000 to R50,000, and for deceased estates by 47% from R300,000 to R440,000.

The big win is that when you sell your primary residence (the home you live in), the first R3 million capital gain is now excluded from CGT.

Have a look at the illustrative savings calculation below:

Primary residence CGT exclusion: R2m vs R3m

Worked capital gains tax comparison from the 2026 Budget article, showing old and new primary-residence exclusions and assumptions.

Transfer duty threshold unchanged

Unchanged from last year, you pay no transfer duty if the property you are buying sells for at (or below) the set threshold of R1,210,000.

Transfer duty table from the 2026 Budget article, showing property-value bands and rates.

Source: SARS

“Bracket creep” relief for taxpayers

Individual taxpayers:Your tax rates (and the associated rebates and medical tax credits) are increased in line with inflation. That’s welcome relief after last year’s unchanged tax tables which resulted in “fiscal drag” (also referred to as “bracket creep”) for anyone receiving a salary increase that pushed them into a higher tax bracket.

Trusts: Special trusts are by and large taxed as individuals, but other trusts are taxed at a flat rate of 45% – also unchanged from last year.

Individual and trust income tax tables for 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027, with rebates and age-based thresholds.

Source: SARS

Corporate taxes: The tax rate for companies remains unchanged, with substantial relief for smaller businesses. 

Company income tax table for years of assessment ending from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
Small business corporation income tax table for years of assessment ending from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.
2026/27 turnover tax table for micro businesses, showing turnover bands and tax rates.

Source: SARS

“Sin taxes” up: The details

Most sin tax increases were generally in line with or slightly below inflation. See the table below for full details.

Table 4.8 Changes in specific excise duties, 2026/27

Table from the 2026 Budget article comparing existing and proposed excise duties on selected products.

Source: National Treasury (Table 4.8)

How much more or less will you be paying in income tax, petrol and sin taxes?

Use Fin 24’s Budget Calculator here to find out.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.

© LawDotNews

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This archived article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own circumstances, start with a brief telephone discussion.

Published by Hugh Raichlin Attorneys.Legally reviewed by Hugh Raichlin (Principal Attorney & Accredited Mediator).