What is the SARS tax?

In South Africa, SARS refers to the South African Revenue Service. It is the government agency responsible for the administration and collection of taxes in the country. SARS manages various taxes, including income tax, value-added tax (VAT), corporate tax, and others.

When people refer to “SARS tax,” they are generally talking about the income tax administered by the South African Revenue Service. Income tax is a direct tax on individual’s and entities’ income, and it is a significant source of revenue for the South African government.

South Africa has a progressive tax system, meaning that individuals with higher incomes are subject to higher tax rates. The income tax system in South Africa includes various tax brackets, deductions, and credits to calculate the amount of tax owed by individuals and businesses.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) administers various taxes in South Africa. Here are some key points about the SARS tax system:

Income Tax: This is a tax on individuals and businesses based on their income or profits. The tax rates for individuals for the 2024 tax year are as follows:

  • Taxable income ® 1 – 237 100: 18% of taxable income
  • Taxable income ® 237 101 – 370 500: 42 678 + 26% of taxable income above 237 100
  • Taxable income ® 370 501 – 512 800: 77 362 + 31% of taxable income above 370 500
  • Taxable income ® 512 801 – 673 000: 121 475 + 36% of taxable income above 512 800
  • Taxable income ® 673 001 – 857 900: 179 147 + 39% of taxable income above 673 000
  • Taxable income ® 857 901 – 1 817 000: 251 258 + 41% of taxable income above 857 900
  • Taxable income ® 1 817 001 and above 644 489 + 45% of taxable income above 1 817 000

Tax Rebates: These are amounts that are deducted from the total tax payable by a taxpayer. For the 2024 tax year, the primary rebate is R17 235, the secondary rebate (for taxpayers aged 65 and older) is R9 444, and the tertiary rebate (for taxpayers aged 75 and older) is R3 145.

Tax Thresholds: These are the levels of income at which a taxpayer starts to pay tax. For the 2024 tax year, the tax threshold for taxpayers under 65 is R95 750, for taxpayers 65 and older it’s R148 217, and for taxpayers 75 and older it’s R165 689.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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