Interest Exemptions

Interest from a South African source earned by a natural person is exempt, per annum, up to
an amount of:

Please note: For the 2012 tax year – Foreign interest and foreign dividends are only exempt up to R3 700 out of the total exemption.

From 1 March 2015 (2016 tax year), a final withholding tax at a rate of 15% will be charged on interest from a South African source payable to non-residents.

Interest is exempt where earned by a non-resident who is physically absent from South Africa for at least 183 days during the tax year and doesn’t carry on a business in South Africa.