FR · EuropeZA · Africa
France vs South Africa: tax rates compared
France has an income tax rate of 55.4%, 10.4pp above South Africa's 45%. The 200-country average is 28%: both sit above it. France's figure is dated 2025-01-01 and South Africa's 2026-03-01, so the two rates come from different data vintages.
Verified data covers six of the six tracked tax types for both countries; every rate below is cited to its source and dated.
At a glance
| Tax | FR | ZA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 55.4% | 45% | FR +10.4 pp |
| Corporate Tax | 36.1% | 27% | FR +9.1 pp |
| VAT | 20% | 15% | FR +5 pp |
| Capital Gains Tax | 31.4% | 18% | FR +13.4 pplargest gap |
| Crypto Tax | 30% | 18% | FR +12 pp |
| Wealth Tax | 0% | 0% | match |
Income Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 55.4% | Source: OECD Tax Database — Top statutory personal income tax rates · as of 2025-01-01 |
| South Africa | 45% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Taxes on personal income) · as of 2026-03-01 |
| Difference | +10.4 pp | France higher |
Corporate Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 36.1% | Source: Tax Foundation — Worldwide Corporate Tax Rates · as of 2025-01-01 |
| South Africa | 27% | Source: Tax Foundation — Worldwide Corporate Tax Rates · as of 2025-01-01 |
| Difference | +9.1 pp | France higher |
France has a corporate tax rate of 36.1%, 9.1pp above South Africa's 27%. The 201-country average is 22.6%: both sit above it.
VAT
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 20% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — France (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-04-24 |
| South Africa | 15% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | +5 pp | France higher |
France has a VAT rate of 20%, 5pp above South Africa's 15%. The 181-country average is 15%: France sits above it, South Africa matches the world average.
Capital Gains Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 31.4% | Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — France, Individual - Other taxes · as of 2025-01-01 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Income determination) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | +13.4 pp | France higher |
France has a capital gains tax rate of 31.4%, 13.4pp above South Africa's 18%. The 175-country average is 10.3%: both sit above it. France's figure is dated 2025-01-01 and South Africa's 2026-05-29, so the two rates come from different data vintages.
Crypto Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 30% | Source: BOFiP-Impôts — RPPM, Cession d'actifs numériques à titre occasionnel, Modalités d'imposition (BOI-RPPM-PVBMC-30-30) · as of 2024-04-23 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: South African Revenue Service — Crypto Assets & Tax · as of 2026-03-20 |
| Difference | +12 pp | France higher |
France has a crypto tax rate of 30%, 12pp above South Africa's 18%. The 88-country average is 13%: both sit above it. France's figure is dated 2024-04-23 and South Africa's 2026-03-20, so the two rates come from different data vintages.
Wealth Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| France | 0% | Source: Service-Public.fr — Impôt sur la fortune immobilière (IFI) · as of 2025-01-01 |
| South Africa | 0% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | 0 pp | displayed rates match |
France and South Africa share the same wealth tax rate: 0%. The 193-country average is 0.1%: both sit below it. France's figure is dated 2025-01-01 and South Africa's 2026-05-29, so the two rates come from different data vintages.