Estate duty calculator
1 point we are still verifying
- s4A(3) (more than one surviving spouse of a previously deceased person) is not modelled; ask a practitioner.
Your details
Estimated estate duty
R1 280 000.00
Effective rate 12.19% of the gross estate
- Net value of the estate
- R9 900 000.00
- Abatement
- R3 500 000.00
- Dutiable amount
- R6 400 000.00
How we worked it out
- Property of the deceasedR9 000 000.00
s3(2): assets at the date of death, at market value
- Deemed propertyR1 500 000.00
s3(3): e.g. life policies on the deceased's life
- Gross valueR10 500 000.00
- Less debts, funeral and administration costs−R600 000.00
s4(a)–(d)
- Less property going to the surviving spouseR0.00
s4(q)
- Less bequests to public benefit organisationsR0.00
s4(h)
- Net valueR9 900 000.00
- Less abatement−R3 500 000.00
s4A(1): R3 500 000.00
- Dutiable amountR6 400 000.00
- 20% on the first R30 000 000.00R1 280 000.00
- Estate dutyR1 280 000.00
- Estate duty is due within 1 year of death, or 30 days after SARS's assessment if later. Interest of 6% a year runs on late payment (s10).
The calculation in five steps
- Property (s3(2)): everything the deceased owned at death, at market value.
- Plus deemed property (s3(3)): mainly life policies payable on death, and claims under the accrual system.
- Less deductions (s4): debts, funeral and administration costs, bequests to public benefit organisations, and everything left to the surviving spouse (s4(q)). The result is the net value.
- Less the abatement (s4A): R3 500 000, plus any unused abatement from a spouse who died first.
- Apply the rates: 20% up to R30 000 000, 25% above.
Estate duty is not the only tax
Death is also a capital gains tax event: the deceased is treated as having sold their assets at market value on the date of death. Estimate it with the CGT on death calculator. The CGT is a debt of the estate and is deductible for estate duty.
The executor files the estate duty return (REV267) with SARS. Read more in estate duty and taxes on death.
Frequently asked questions
What is the estate duty abatement?
Section 4A gives every estate an abatement of R3 500 000. Only the net value above that is dutiable. Where the first spouse to die did not use their full abatement, the unused part is added to the surviving spouse's estate, so a couple can shelter up to R7 000 000 between them.
Is anything left to a spouse taxed?
No. Property that accrues to the surviving spouse is deductible under section 4(q), subject to the provisos in the Act (for example, property the spouse receives only with a discretion given to someone else does not qualify). Duty may then arise in the surviving spouse's estate.
What are the rates?
20% on the first R30 000 000 of the dutiable amount and 25% on the dutiable amount above R30 000 000.
Are retirement annuities and pension funds included?
Benefits from pension, provident and retirement annuity funds are not property of the estate for estate duty (s3(2)(i)). Lump sums from those funds are taxed under income tax instead.
When must estate duty be paid?
Within 12 months of the date of death, or 30 days after the date of assessment if that is later. Interest at 6% a year applies to late payment.