Corporate income tax in South Africa is collected by SARS pursuant to the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962. For Chinese sellers who have reached a certain scale on Takealot and are beginning to consider establishing a local entity and repatriating funds, what they really need to plan for in advance is not ”how much tax they will have to pay,” but ”how to transfer their profits out of the country.”

Tax Rates for the 2026–27 Tax Year: The Basic Structure Remains Unchanged

According to industry reports and the SARS Budget Q&A, the standard corporate income tax rate will remain unchanged for the 2026/27 fiscal year (the tax year ending from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027). 27%, which represents a reduction from the 28% rate in effect prior to 2023. The 27% rate also applies to branches of foreign companies established in South Africa, and there is no longer a branch profit tax.

The standard VAT rate is 15%, and the mandatory VAT registration threshold will increase from 1 million rand to 2.3 million rand starting in 2026. In addition, the global minimum tax will impose a 15% top-up tax on groups with operating revenue of 750 million euros or more; large sellers should take note, while small and medium-sized sellers are not currently affected.

Subsidiaries vs. Branches: The Difference Lies in ”How Money Flows”

Subsidiary (Pty Ltd) As a South African tax resident, you are taxed at a rate of 27% on your worldwide income. When after-tax profits are distributed to a foreign parent company in the form of dividends, you must also pay 20% Dividend Tax, deducted by the payer. If the treaty benefits are not claimed, the full-allocation comprehensive tax rate is approximately 41.6%.

The key point is: the benefits of the agreementNot automatically applied. According to Article 64G(3) of the Income Tax Law, foreign beneficial owners must submit the required declarations and undertakings to the withholding agent prior to the payment of dividends in order to qualify for the lower treaty tax rate. Many cross-border sellers run into trouble at this stage—they only realize they failed to submit the required documents in advance after the tax has already been withheld.

branch offices In that case, 27% is levied on the profits attributable to the South African operations; the remaining profits are not subject to further taxation when repatriated to the parent company, and dividend tax does not apply. From a purely arithmetic perspective based on tax rates, a branch office is often the more advantageous option.

But most people still choose the subsidiary.

The reasons aren't tax-related: limited liability protection, business reputation, ease of opening a bank account, and B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) Rating——When participating in bidding processes or collaborating with major clients in South Africa, this is often a strict requirement, and it is difficult for branch offices to achieve the desired rating.

In addition, factors such as audit costs and exit costs need to be incorporated into the decision-making framework.

Don't Overlook Tax Breaks for Small Businesses

Entities that qualify as Small Business Corporations (SBCs) are subject to progressive tax rates rather than the 27% flat rate. According to industry sources, for the period from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, the first approximately 95,750 rand of taxable income is tax-exempt; the portion between 95,750 and 365,000 rand is taxed at 7%; the portion between 365,000 and 550,000 rand is taxed at 7%, and the portion exceeding 550,000 rand is taxed at 27%.

An SBC must meet several conditions simultaneously, including having only natural persons as shareholders, total annual revenue not exceeding 20 million rand, and investment income and service income accounting for no more than 20% of total revenue. Cross-border e-commerce businesses with corporations or trusts in their shareholder structure are generally ineligible.

Three Practical Recommendations

First.Determine the funding route first, then the entity.. If profits are primarily retained in South Africa for reinvestment, a subsidiary structure would be more advantageous; if regular remittances are required, the tax advantages of a branch office warrant careful evaluation.

Second, prepare the documentation for treaty benefits in advance. Allow sufficient time to obtain the beneficial owner declaration and proof of tax residency.

Third, focus on economic substance. The South African Revenue Service cross-checks employer contributions to mandatory pension funds, VAT returns, and employee payroll records to verify whether a business is actually operating.

Specific tax rates and conditions are subject to the official announcements of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Qicaiying offers one-stop services for South African company registration, appointment of a tax representative, and filing of VAT and corporate income tax returns.