There are three tax benefits:
- Contributions are tax deductible – you may deduct up to 27,5% of your gross remuneration or taxable income (whichever is the higher) in respect of your total contributions to a pension, provident or retirement annuity fund, subject to an annual limit of R350,000.
- Investment returns are tax free – there is no income tax or capital gains tax on the investment return earned in a RA.
- Benefits are taxed on a favourable basis – lump sum benefits are taxed on a sliding scale with a portion of the benefit tax free (see details under “What is the tax on your RA benefits?”).