General information, not financial advice. Not a financial services provider and not SARS. Figures follow SARS's 2026/27 tables and National Treasury rules; we never recommend products.

Two-pot withdrawal tax calculator

A savings pot withdrawal is taxed like extra income. The more you earn, the bigger the share that goes to SARS. Enter your other income for the tax year to see the tax and what lands in your account.

Your details

At least R2 000, once per tax year (1 March to end of February).

Salary and other taxable income for the full tax year, before this withdrawal.

Ask your fund. Leave at 0 if you do not know.

Estimated amount paid to you

R14 800.00

26% of the withdrawal goes to tax

Estimated tax on the withdrawal
R5 200.00

How we worked it out

  1. Annual income before withdrawalR300 000.00
  2. Tax on income without withdrawalR40 572.00
  3. Tax on income plus withdrawalR45 772.00
  4. Tax on the withdrawalR5 200.00

    Difference between the two (SARS annual payment method)

  5. Fund administration feeR0.00
  6. Estimated amount paid to youR14 800.00
  • Only one savings withdrawal is allowed per tax year. SARS first deducts any tax debt you owe.
  • If you owe SARS money or have returns outstanding, the payout can be reduced or the directive refused. Check on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp first.
General information, not financial advice. KayaRetire gives general information and estimates based on SARS tax tables and guides, National Treasury publications and Minister of Finance notices. It is not financial, tax or investment advice as defined in the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, it does not recommend any product, fund or provider, and KayaRetire is not an authorised financial services provider. Your fund or insurer and SARS work out the actual amounts. Before you make a decision, speak to your fund, SARS or an authorised financial adviser. The fund applies the rate in your SARS tax directive. Your final tax is settled on assessment.

Why the tax depends on your salary

SARS works out tax on your income with and without the withdrawal; the difference is the tax on the withdrawal. If the withdrawal pushes you into a higher bracket, part of it is taxed at the higher rate.

Before you withdraw

Money taken now no longer grows for your retirement. Read the two-pot system explained for how the components work. Our sister site RandRight also has a two-pot withdrawal tax calculator alongside its salary and bonus tax tools.

Frequently asked questions

How is a two-pot withdrawal taxed?

It is added to your taxable income for the year and taxed at your marginal rate, using the annual payment (bonus) method. The retirement lump sum tables and their tax-free amounts do not apply.

How much tax will I pay on R20 000?

If you earn R300 000 a year and are under 65, about R5 200 (26%), so you would receive about R14 800 before any fund fee.

What is the minimum and how often can I withdraw?

At least R2 000, and once per tax year. There is no maximum other than what is in your savings component.

How much is in my savings pot?

Your fund can tell you. It started with seed capital of 10% of your vested savings on 31 August 2024 (at most R30 000), plus one-third of contributions from 1 September 2024 and growth, less earlier withdrawals.

Why did I get less than the calculator shows?

The fund may charge a fee, and SARS deducts any tax debt you owe unless you have a payment arrangement. If your directive used too low a rate, the difference shows up on assessment.

Can I cancel a withdrawal?

No. SARS says that once your fund has sent the directive application, the decision is final.

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