Botswana vs South Africa
Tax Rate Comparison
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๐ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ side by side.
๐ง๐ผ Botswana โ Local Government Taxes
Botswana's 16 districts and 6 town/city councils levy minimal independent taxes โ transfer duty on property, business licences, and property rates in urban areas. The Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) administers all major national taxes. Botswana has one of Africa's most stable and transparent tax systems, boosted by diamond revenue. The country aspires to diversify away from diamond dependency. Transfer duty on property is 5% above BWP 1 million. A Capital Transfer Tax applies to donations and inheritances at 12.5%.
๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa โ Provincial & Municipal Taxes
South Africa's 9 provinces do not levy their own income tax โ this is national. Municipalities levy property rates (0.5%โ2.5% of assessed value/year), utilities, and refuse levies. Cape Town and Johannesburg have relatively higher municipal rates. Load-shedding prompted energy-related tax credits in recent budgets.
Botswana vs South Africa: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa has a higher top income tax rate (0โ25% vs 18โ45%). ๐ง๐ผ Botswana is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: South Africa has a higher consumption tax (14% vs 16%).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐ง๐ผ Botswana offers a lower corporate rate (22% vs 27%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa taxes investment gains at a lower rate (18% vs 25%), benefiting investors.