Donations tax calculator
Helping a child with a deposit, moving assets to family, giving to charity: each has a different tax answer. Check what a donation costs, or confirms it costs nothing, before the money moves. No signup, nothing leaves this page.
How this works
Donations tax is the donor's liability at 20% of value, rising to 25% on the slice of lifetime donations above R30 million. A natural person's first R100 000 of donations each tax year is exempt, donations between spouses are wholly exempt, and donations to approved public benefit organisations are exempt and can also earn a section 18A income tax deduction of up to 10% of taxable income. The tax is declared on form IT144 and paid by the end of the month after the donation. Interest free loans are not donations, but section 7C treats forgone interest on loans to trusts as an annual deemed donation, which is where family planning most often goes wrong.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I give tax free?
A natural person can donate R100 000 in total each tax year free of donations tax. Donations between spouses are fully exempt with no limit, as are donations to registered public benefit organisations.
What is the donations tax rate?
20% on the value above the exemption, rising to 25% on the portion of cumulative donations exceeding R30 million. The donor pays it using SARS form IT144.
Is giving money to my children taxable?
Gifts to children count as donations. Up to R100 000 in total per tax year is exempt; above that the donor pays 20%. A genuine interest free loan is not a donation, but the interest foregone on loans to trusts can be, under section 7C.
Do donations to charity reduce my income tax?
Donations to a section 18A approved organisation are free of donations tax and also deductible against your taxable income, up to 10% of taxable income a year, provided you get a valid section 18A receipt.
Planning the estate too?
Lifetime giving and estate duty are two ends of one plan. Estimate the duty.
Estimate estate duty →Donating an asset, not cash?
Donating property or shares can trigger capital gains tax as well. Check it.
Check CGT →Claiming section 18A?
See what your charitable receipts do to your refund.
Estimate my refund →Rates and exemptions per the Income Tax Act sections 54 to 64 and the 2026 Budget. Cumulative R30 million tracking, section 7C loans and asset valuations need specific advice. Free tools are estimates, not tax advice.