INCOME FROM TWO SOURCES
What to do if you receive income from two sources?
An example
| Salary | Pension | Assessment |
Taxable income | 280 000 | 220 000 | 500 000 |
Normal tax payable | 35 352 | 19 752 | 106 095 |
Less: Tax paid in the form of PAYE withheld by employer and pension fund | 35 352 | 19 752 | 55 104 |
Additional amount of tax to be paid on assessment | | | 50 991 |
To assist taxpayers who are in this situation, the Income Tax Act allows a taxpayer to make additional voluntary tax payments. Taxpayers receiving a salary or pension may make a written request to one or more employers and pension funds to deduct additional monthly PAYE. A provisional taxpayer may instead pay a higher amount of provisional tax.
In this way a taxpayer is able to reduce the additional amount of tax payable when the annual income tax return is assessed.
How to arrange for a voluntary additional PAYE deduction
- The first option is a simplified mechanism which involves applying a single percentage at which PAYE should be deducted by all employers and pension funds that pay a salary or pension to the taxpayer.
- The second option is to increase the amount of PAYE deducted by one or more employers or pension funds but is slightly more complex to calculate. The taxpayer may need assistance from SARS, their tax practitioner or the payroll personnel at their employer or pension fund.
To enable the employers and pension funds to implement additional PAYE deductions the following steps are required:
- Firstly, estimate the total taxable income for the current tax year by combining all your salaries and pensions.
- Secondly, identify the recommended percentage at which tax should be deducted, based on the combined estimated taxable income by referring to the table below. The table sets out the percentage at which tax should be withheld at the various combined taxable income levels. This table is simply an estimate of the tax liability, and it is still possible that there may be an under or over recovery of tax when using these percentages.
- Thirdly, request the employers and pension funds to apply (as a minimum) the applicable percentage at which to deduct PAYE from the salary or pension paid by each of them. For example, if there is an employer paying a salary and two pension funds, then all three should deduct tax at the same percentage.
Combined taxable income from all sources | Recommended percentage at which tax is to be deducted by employers and pension funds for the 2018 tax year (1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019) |
||
Under the age of 65 | 65 years and older but under the age of 75 | 75 years and older | |
Up to R78 150 | 0% | 0% | 0% |
R78 151 to R121 000 | 3% | 0% | 0% |
R121 001 to R135 300 | 7% | 1% | 0% |
R135 301 to R195 850 | 9% | 4% | 3% |
R195 851 to R305 850 | 14% | 10% | 9% |
R305 851 to R423 300 | 18% | 16% | 15% |
R423 301 to R555 600 | 22% | 21% | 20% |
R555 601 to R708 310 | 26% | 25% | 24% |
R708 311 to R1 500 000 | 31% | 30% | 29% |
R1 500 001 to R10 000 000 | 39% | 39% | 39% |
R10 000 001 and above | 45% | 45% | 45% |
To enable one or more employers or pension funds to deduct additional PAYE the following steps are required:
- Firstly, estimate the total taxable income for the current tax year by combining all your salaries and pensions.
- Secondly, calculate the total estimated income tax liability for the current tax year on the estimated total taxable income using the table below for the 2018/19 tax year and deduct the appropriate tax rebate. You can also contact your employer, pension fund, tax practitioner or SARS to assist in calculating the total income tax liability.
- Thirdly, calculate the estimated combined total PAYE to be deducted by all employers and pension funds for the tax year (before any additional PAYE) and calculate the shortfall (difference between the total income tax liability for the current year and the estimated combined total PAYE before the additional PAYE).
- Fourthly, choose one or more employers or pension funds to deduct the shortfall by way of additional monthly PAYE deductions over the remainder of the tax year.
Taxable Income (R) |
Rate of Tax (R) |
0 to 195 850 | 18% of taxable income |
195 851 to 305 850 | 35 253 + 26% of taxable income above 195 850 |
305 851 to 423 300 | 63 853 + 31% of taxable income above 305 850 |
423 301 to 555 600 | 100 263 + 36% of taxable income above 423 300 |
555 601 to 708 310 | 147 891 + 39% of taxable income above 555 600 |
708 311 to 1 500 000 | 207 448 + 41% of taxable income above 708 310 |
1 500 001 and above | 532 041 + 45% of taxable income above 1 500 000 |
Age | rebate |
Below 65 | R14 067 |
65 to below 75 | (R14 067 + R7 713) = R21 780 |
75 and over | (R14 067 + R7 713 + R2 574) = R24 354 |
Sponsored Guide
Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.