Transfer duty & buying costs calculator
Estimate transfer duty based on SARS rates, plus legal fees, bond registration and the cash you will need upfront.
Property & Deposit Parameters
Deposit: R245 000 • Bond Required: R2 205 000
R410 454
Upfront Statutory & Attorney Fees (Excl. Deposit): R165 454
| Cost Item | Excl. VAT / Base | VAT (15%) | Total (ZAR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SARS Transfer DutyR2 329 301 – R2 994 800 (R53 544 + 8% above R2 329 300) | R63 200 | Exempt | R63 200 |
| Conveyancing Attorney Fee (LSSA Tariff) | R38 240 | R5 736 | R43 976 |
| Bond Registration Attorney Fee | R36 320 | R5 448 | R41 768 |
| Deeds Office Registration (Transfer + Bond) | R5 412 | Exempt | R5 412 |
| Bank Bond Initiation Fee (NCA Regulated) | R5 250 | R788 | R6 038 |
| FICA, Deeds Search & Electronic Lodgement Sundries | R4 400 | R660 | R5 060 |
| Total Upfront Fees (Incl. R12 632 VAT) | — | R12 632 | R165 454 |
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Statutory & Credit Disclaimer: Calculations are indicative estimates provided for South African property budgeting only and do not constitute formal financial or legal advice under FAIS. Final home loan terms are subject to lender credit approval and affordability verification under the National Credit Act (Act 34 of 2005). Conveyancing, bond registration, Deeds Office, and SARS Transfer Duty figures are subject to statutory tariff adjustments.
Transfer duty table based on SARS rates (2026/2027)
Transfer Duty is a statutory tax levied by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) under the Transfer Duty Act 40 of 1949 on property acquisitions by natural persons, companies, and trusts.
| Property Value Bracket (ZAR) | Marginal SARS Rate |
|---|---|
| R1 – R1 210 000 | 0% (100% Exempt) |
| R1 210 001 – R1 663 800 | 3% of the value above R1 210 000 |
| R1 663 801 – R2 329 300 | R13 614 + 6% of the value above R1 663 800 |
| R2 329 301 – R2 994 800 | R53 544 + 8% of the value above R2 329 300 |
| R2 994 801 – R13 310 000 | R106 784 + 11% of the value above R2 994 800 |
| R13 310 001 and above | R1 241 456 + 13% of the value exceeding R13 310 000 |
How Upfront Transfer & Bond Costs Are Structured
In South Africa, buying a home requires settling two distinct legal processes at the Deeds Office before ownership is registered in your name:
- 1. Property Transfer Costs:Includes SARS Transfer Duty (0% VAT), the transferring conveyancing attorney’s professional fee (LSSA sliding tariff plus 15% VAT), Deeds Office transfer levy, and municipal rates clearance / FICA disbursements.
- 2. Bond Registration Costs:Payable whenever a mortgage bond is registered. Comprises the bank’s NCA bond initiation fee (R6 037.50 incl. 15% VAT), the bond attorney’s tariff fee, and a separate Deeds Office bond registration fee calculated on the principal loan amount.
Frequently Asked Questions: South African Transfer Duty & Attorney Tariffs
What is the Transfer Duty exemption threshold in South Africa for 2026/2027?
In South Africa, residential and commercial properties with a purchase price of R1 210 000 or less are 100% exempt from SARS Transfer Duty (0% rate). Above R1 210 000, Transfer Duty is levied on a progressive sliding scale from 3% up to 13% under the Transfer Duty Act 40 of 1949.
Is Transfer Duty payable when buying off-plan from a VAT-registered developer?
No. If the seller is a VAT-registered property developer selling a new sectional title or freehold unit in the ordinary course of their enterprise, 15% Value-Added Tax (VAT) is included in the purchase price and zero SARS Transfer Duty is payable in terms of Section 9(15) of the Transfer Duty Act. However, conveyancing attorney transfer fees, Deeds Office registration levies, and bond registration costs remain payable by the purchaser.
Who appoints the conveyancing attorney in a South African property transaction?
Under South African common law, the seller typically nominates the transferring conveyancing attorney to manage the transfer at the Deeds Office, while the purchaser pays the transferring attorney’s fee and disbursements. If the purchaser takes out a mortgage bond, the lending bank appoints a separate panel bond registration attorney whose fees are also paid by the purchaser.
Can Transfer Duty and conveyancing fees be included in my South African home loan?
Most South African retail banks require purchasers to pay SARS Transfer Duty, transferring attorney fees, and bond registration costs upfront in cash prior to lodgement at the Deeds Office. First-time home buyers with strong credit profiles may occasionally qualify for 105% bonds from select lenders to cover a portion of transfer and bond registration costs.