Inherited Property Transfer Costs
Generated on: 21 Oct 2026 via www.propertytransfercosts.com
1. Inherited Property Transfer Costs
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Duty (no VAT) | R 0 |
| Conveyancing attorney fee (Incl. VAT) | R 42 406 |
| Deeds Office Fee (no VAT) | R 1 738 |
| Postage & PettiesMinor office expenses incurred by the attorney, such as printing, courier fees, and phone calls. (Incl. VAT) | R 1 150 |
| Electronic Generation FeeFee for generating documents securely online via the LexisNexis or GhostConvey platforms. (Incl. VAT) | R 862 |
| FICAFinancial Intelligence Centre Act fee. The attorney must legally verify your identity and proof of address. (Incl. VAT) | R 460 |
| Deeds Office Searches (Incl. VAT) | R 445 |
| Rates Clearance FeesFee paid to the attorney to acquire a certificate from the municipality proving the seller has no outstanding debts. (Incl. VAT) | R 775 |
| Section 42 Certificate Fee | R 1 058 |
| Total Transfer Costs | R 48 894 |
Strategic Insight: You are adding R 2 000 000 to your asset base.
See how this property impacts your future Estate Duty at EstateDuty.co.za.
View special exemptions (Divorce & Deceased Estates)
1. Divorce Endorsements (Section 45bis)
If spouses are married in community of property, divorce, and the property is awarded to one party as part of a divorce order or settlement. Transfer duty is zero and the conveyancing attorney fee is reduced to 75% (R 31 805).
Estimated Total for Endorsement: R 37 235If spouses are married with an antenuptial contract, and property transfers between them as part of a divorce order or settlement. Transfer duty is zero but the full conveyancing attorney fee is paid.
Estimated Total: R 47 836
The transfer duty estimates are based on the SARS transfer duty rates applicable from 1 April 2026. The conveyancing fees are as per the Legal Practice Council / Law Society of South Africa guidelines effective from 1 July 2026. The Deeds Office fees are based on those published in the Government Gazette applicable from 1 April 2026 to 28 Feb 2027.
Please note that all values generated are estimates and may change. We encourage you to discuss these figures with your conveyancing attorney. For an official quote, please email lawyer@capetownlawyer.co.za or WhatsApp us.
2026/2027 Quick-Reference Property Transfer Costs Table
Use the reference table below to compare SARS Transfer Duty, Conveyancing Attorney fees (including 15% VAT), Deeds Office fees, and total buyer costs across standard South African property brackets. Click any property value to load its interactive breakdown.
| Property Value | Transfer Duty | Conveyancing Fee | Total Transfer Costs (Cash) | Grand Total (With 100% Bond) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R 1 000 000 | R 0 | R 30 216 | R 35 454 | R 75 726 |
| R 1 210 000 | R 0 | R 35 092 | R 40 522 | R 85 862 |
| R 1 500 000 | R 8 700 | R 37 530 | R 51 660 | R 99 438 |
| R 2 000 000 | R 33 786 | R 42 406 | R 81 622 | R 134 276 |
| R 2 500 000 | R 67 200 | R 49 720 | R 123 020 | R 183 658 |
| R 3 000 000 | R 107 356 | R 54 596 | R 168 052 | R 233 566 |
| R 4 000 000 | R 217 356 | R 66 786 | R 290 242 | R 367 946 |
| R 5 000 000 | R 327 356 | R 78 976 | R 412 946 | R 503 354 |
| R 7 500 000 | R 602 356 | R 97 399 | R 706 927 | R 816 316 |
| R 10 000 000 | R 877 356 | R 109 681 | R 994 797 | R 1 117 056 |
Official SARS Transfer Duty Rates (Effective 1 April 2026)
SARS Transfer Duty is levied on a progressive sliding scale under the Transfer Duty Act (No. 40 of 1949) and applies equally to natural persons, companies, and trusts:
| Property Value Bracket (ZAR) | Marginal Rate & Base Transfer Duty |
|---|---|
| R 0 - R 1 210 000 | 0% (Exempt from Transfer Duty) |
| R 1 210 001 - R 1 663 800 | 3% on the value above R 1 210 000 |
| R 1 663 801 - R 2 329 300 | R 13 614 + 6% on the value above R 1 663 800 |
| R 2 329 301 - R 2 994 800 | R 53 544 + 8% on the value above R 2 329 300 |
| R 2 994 801 - R 13 310 000 | R 106 784 + 11% on the value above R 2 994 800 |
| Above R 13 310 000 | R 1 241 456 + 13% on the value above R 13 310 000 |
Specialised Property Transfer & Tax Calculators
Select a specialised calculator below to view tailored SARS exemptions, endorsement fees, and net proceeds calculations:
</> Embed This Calculator on Your Estate Agency or Property Website
Estate agents, bond originators, and property bloggers can embed a clean version of this 2026/2027 South African Transfer & CGT Calculator free of charge by copying the snippet below:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays the property transfer costs in South Africa?
How much does a municipal rates clearance or levy clearance certificate cost?
How much are bond cancellation costs if no 90-day notice is given?
What is SARS Section 35A withholding tax for non-resident property sellers?
Must a plumbing certificate be obtained when selling property in Cape Town?
Do I pay transfer duty if I buy a house for less than R1.21 million?
Does paying a deposit reduce my transfer or bond costs?
How is Capital Gains Tax (CGT) calculated when selling property in South Africa?
- Primary Residence Exclusion: The first R3,000,000 of capital gain or loss on the disposal of a primary residence is excluded for individuals and special trusts.
- Annual Exclusion: Individuals and special trusts receive an annual exclusion of R50,000 per person (or R100,000 combined for spouses married in community of property), which increases to R440,000 in the year of death.
- Small Business Exclusion: Individuals aged 55 years or older disposing of an active small business asset qualify for a R2,700,000 capital gains exclusion (where total small business market value does not exceed R15,000,000).
- Effective CGT Rates: After exclusions, 40% of the net gain for individuals and special trusts is included in taxable income (maximum effective rate of 18%), while 80% is included for companies (21.6% effective rate) and other trusts (36% effective rate).
The Realities of Property Transfer: What the Calculator Doesn't Show
Calculating your transfer costs is only the first step. The conveyancing process in South Africa involves multiple stakeholders, stringent compliance, and several variables that can affect both your timeline and your wallet.
- FICA Compliance: Under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, conveyancing attorneys are accountable institutions. They are legally obligated to verify your identity and the source of your funds before proceeding.
- Deeds Office Delays: Once your documents are lodged at the Deeds Office (whether in Cape Town, Pretoria, or elsewhere), the standard examination process takes between 10 - 15 working days.
- The "Hidden" Costs of Moving: Beyond the statutory transfer duty and conveyancer fees, buyers and sellers must budget for ancillary expenses:
- Rates and Levy Clearance (3x Monthly Bill): Municipalities and Body Corporates typically require roughly 3 months of rates, utilities, and levies to be paid in advance before issuing a clearance certificate.
- 90-Day Bond Cancellation Notice: Sellers who give 0 days notice to cancel an existing bond face an early termination penalty of roughly 3 months' interest.
- Occupational Rent: If you take occupation of the property before the official transfer date at the Deeds Office, you are liable for occupational rent as stipulated in your Offer to Purchase.
How This Calculator Works: Legislative and Actuarial Accuracy
This transfer cost calculator is a precision tool built on the latest gazetted legislative frameworks governing South African property law:
- Transfer Duty: Maps to the tiered Transfer Duty tables published by SARS under the Transfer Duty Act (No. 40 of 1949).
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) & Section 35A: Adheres to the Eighth Schedule and Section 35A of the Income Tax Act (No. 58 of 1962), incorporating the 2026/2027 Budget updates.
- Conveyancing & Deeds Office Fees: Calculated according to the Legal Practice Council (LPC) guidelines and Chief Registrar's Circulars (CRCs).