South African tax year 1 March 2026 to 28 February 2027
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Crypto tax calculator (South Africa)

From 1 March 2026 every crypto exchange serving South Africans reports your trades to SARS under CARF. Drop your exchange CSV to see your gains the SARS way (first-in, first-out) and the tax you owe, before SARS asks.

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CARF: SARS now sees your crypto

South Africa adopted the OECD Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework from 1 March 2026. Exchanges, brokers and wallets serving South African residents must report crypto-to-rand trades, crypto-to-crypto trades, crypto payments and transfers to private wallets. The first reporting year runs to 28 February 2027, with reports due to SARS by 31 May 2027. CARF doesn't create new tax, but SARS will compare what exchanges report with what's on your ITR12.

How crypto is taxed in South Africa

  • Investor (buy and hold): gains are capital gains. 40% of the net gain above the R50,000 annual exclusion is added to taxable income, so the most you pay is 18% of the gain.
  • Trader (frequent buying and selling for profit, short holding periods): gains are ordinary income, taxed at up to 45%.
  • Crypto-to-crypto trades are disposals too: swapping BTC for ETH triggers a gain or loss at the market value.
  • Staking, mining, airdrops and interest are income when you receive them, at their rand value.
  • Cost method: this calculator uses first-in, first-out (FIFO), a method the Eighth Schedule accepts for identical assets; specific identification also works if you can trace each coin. Check with a tax practitioner before using weighted average for crypto.

What to declare on your ITR12

Capital gains go in the capital gains section (local), and trading profits or rewards as "other income" or under a trade. Keep your exchange statements for 5 years. If you haven't declared crypto in previous years, SARS's Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) can reduce penalties if you come forward before SARS contacts you.

Not sure if you're a trader or an investor? Ask TaxBot.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay tax on crypto in South Africa?

Yes. Gains are taxed as capital gains (investors) or income (traders), and rewards like staking are income. Crypto-to-crypto swaps count as disposals.

Will SARS know about my crypto?

Yes. Under CARF, exchanges serving South Africans report your transactions to SARS from 1 March 2026, with the first reports due by 31 May 2027.

Which cost method should I use for crypto?

First-in, first-out (FIFO) or specific identification are the safe choices. This calculator uses FIFO. Check with a tax practitioner before using weighted average.

Is my CSV uploaded?

No. The calculator reads the file in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers.

Last updated 2026-10-10. Sources: SARS rates of tax for individuals, medical tax credit rates, interest exemption, capital gains tax and the rate-per-kilometre schedule on sars.gov.za.