Updated for 2026 tax year

Transfer Duty and Transfer Cost Calculator, South Africa

Buying a property isn’t just the purchase price. The real question is: how much extra cash do you need for transfer duty, legal fees, and deeds costs? This calculator gives you a realistic estimate — in under 30 seconds.

Calculate your transfer costs

Includes SARS transfer duty (2026 rates), estimated conveyancing (attorney) fees, and deeds office fees. Final fees can vary (fees are negotiable and disbursements differ by transaction).

Advanced options (optional)

If you’re buying cash, leave this blank or 0.

Typical extras: deeds searches, admin, postage, petties, FICA verification, clearance certificate handling, etc.

Optional estimate for additional forex/compliance/banking/admin complexity (set to 0 if not needed).

This is a percentage of the purchase price (used only when Buyer profile is international).

Quick tip:
Transfer duty is set by SARS (rates are the same regardless of nationality), but international buyers often have extra costs depending on the funding route.
Want help with a bond + subsidy estimate? Use our Bond + Subsidy Calculator here to see what you qualify for.

Your estimate

Estimates use official SARS transfer duty brackets and official deeds office fee brackets, plus conveyancing fee guidelines.

SARS transfer duty—
Estimated conveyancing (attorney) fees—
Deeds office fee (transfer)—
Deeds office fee (bond) — if applicable—
Estimated disbursements—
International compliance buffer—
International facilitation fee—
Total estimated transfer costs—
Important: These figures are guidance. Conveyancing fees are negotiable, and every transaction can have unique disbursements and requirements.

What’s included in “transfer costs” in South Africa?

When you buy a property, the purchase price is only one part of the cash you’ll need. Transfer costs usually include:

  • SARS transfer duty (if the deal is not VAT-based and not exempt)
  • Conveyancing (attorney) fees for the legal transfer process
  • Deeds office fees for registering the transfer (and bond if applicable)
  • Disbursements (admin, searches, postage, petties, clearance handling, etc.)

Local vs international buyers: what changes?

The SARS transfer duty rate is based on the property value and the transaction structure — not nationality. What often changes for international buyers is the funding and compliance process (forex, banking requirements, extra admin). That’s why this calculator includes an optional international buffer.

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Sources used in calculator logic: SARS transfer duty rates effective 1 April 2025 (used for the 2026 tax year), official Deeds Office fee schedule, and Law Society of South Africa conveyancing fee guidelines (effective 1 August 2025).