South Africa vs Estonia
Corporate Tax Comparison
Time of Update: South Africa: 4/06/2026 / Estonia: 4/05/2026
Compare South Africa and Estonia corporate tax rates, filing due dates, withholding tax, VAT, capital gains tax, and effective tax metrics for cross-border company planning.
South Africa vs Estonia Corporate Tax Comparison
Basic Corporate Tax Comparison
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
South Africa
Estonia
General CIT Rate:
27%
General CIT Rate:
Estonia does not tax retained earnings. Distributed profits are taxed at a rate of 20%. A reduced rate of 14% applies to regularly distributed dividends. From 2025, the general rate for distributed profits will increase to 22%.
CIT Return Due Date:
Within 12 months from the end of the tax year
CIT Return Due Date:
Corporate income tax is assessed and declared monthly.
CIT Payment Due Date:
Within 6 months after the company's tax year-end
CIT Payment Due Date:
CIT on distributed profits is payable upon distribution.
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Twice a year: first payment within 6 months of year-start, second before year-end
CIT Estimated Payment Due Date:
Not applicable as tax is only due on distribution.
Withholding Tax (WHT)
South Africa
Estonia
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
20/0/0
Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/0
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
20/15/15
None-Resident Withholding Tax (Dividend/Interest/Royalty):
0/0/10
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Capital Gain Tax (CGT)
South Africa
Estonia
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Corporations 21.6% effective; individuals 18% effective
General Capital Gain Tax Rate:
Estonia does not have a separate capital gains tax; gains are taxed as regular income at the corporate rate when distributed.
Effective Tax Rate (ETR)
South Africa
Estonia
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
24.37%
Composite Effective Average Tax Rate:
17.0%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
12.99%
Composite Effective Marginal Tax Rate:
0.0%
