Blog / South Africa Crypto & Forex Tax 2026

South Africa Crypto & Forex Tax 2026: CGT 40% Inclusion and New CARF Reporting

South Africa taxes crypto as income at up to 45% when you trade, or as a capital gain with a 40% inclusion rate, a maximum effective rate of 18%, when you invest. From 2 March 2026, SARS automatically receives your exchange data under the new CARF rules.

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August 22, 2026 | 10 min read | South Africa crypto tax, SARS crypto, CARF

Crypto as Income or Capital Gain

If you trade crypto, SARS taxes your profits as income at up to 45%. If you invest and hold, your gains are capital gains with a 40% inclusion rate, giving a maximum effective rate of 18%.

The R50,000 Annual CGT Exclusion

The first R50,000 of your annual capital gains is excluded from tax, reducing the CGT bill for smaller investors before the 40% inclusion applies.

CARF Reporting Live from 2 March 2026

The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework went live on 2 March 2026. SARS now automatically receives your crypto transaction data from exchanges, making unreported gains easy to detect.

Dividends, Source Code 4522 and Filing

Dividends carry a 20% withholding tax. Report crypto trading income on the ITR12 return under source code 4522, and file during the season running 13 July to 23 October 2026.

What Changed in 2026

CARF crypto reporting went live on 2 March 2026.
SARS now auto-receives exchange data, closing the reporting gap.
The 13 July to 23 October 2026 filing season applies to your crypto and forex income.

FAQ

Is crypto taxed as income or capital gain in South Africa?

Trading profits are income taxed at up to 45%. Investing gains are CGT with a 40% inclusion rate, a maximum effective rate of 18%.

What is the annual capital gains exclusion?

R50,000 per year.

What is CARF and when did it start?

The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework went live on 2 March 2026. SARS now automatically receives crypto data from exchanges.

Which source code do I use for crypto trading income?

Source code 4522 on the ITR12 return.

When is South Africa's filing season in 2026?

13 July to 23 October 2026.

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Legal disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rates were compiled from public sources in August 2026 and may be outdated, incomplete or incorrect for your situation. We are not certified tax professionals or licensed accountants. Always consult a qualified local tax professional before filing. Use of this information is at your own risk; we accept no liability for any loss, penalty or audit outcome arising from reliance on it. By using this site you agree to our Terms of Service.