DE · EuropeZA · Africa
Germany vs South Africa: tax rates compared
Germany's income tax rate is 2.5pp higher than South Africa's (47.5% vs 45%). The 200-country average is 28%: both sit above it. Germany'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 | DE | ZA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 47.5% | 45% | DE +2.5 pp |
| Corporate Tax | 30.1% | 27% | DE +3.1 pp |
| VAT | 19% | 15% | DE +4 pp |
| Capital Gains Tax | 25% | 18% | DE +7 pp |
| Crypto Tax | 0% | 18% | ZA +18 pplargest gap |
| Wealth Tax | 0% | 0% | match |
Income Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 47.5% | 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 | +2.5 pp | Germany higher |
Corporate Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 30.1% | 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 | +3.1 pp | Germany higher |
Germany's corporate tax rate is 3.1pp higher than South Africa's (30.1% vs 27%). The 201-country average is 22.6%: both sit above it.
VAT
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 19% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Germany (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-06-30 |
| South Africa | 15% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | +4 pp | Germany higher |
Germany's VAT rate is 4pp higher than South Africa's (19% vs 15%). The 181-country average is 15%: Germany sits above it, South Africa matches the world average.
Capital Gains Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 25% | Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Germany, Individual - Income determination · as of 2026-06-30 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Income determination) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | +7 pp | Germany higher |
Germany's capital gains tax rate is 7pp higher than South Africa's (25% vs 18%). The 175-country average is 10.3%: both sit above it.
Crypto Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 0% | Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen — Einzelfragen zur ertragsteuerrechtlichen Behandlung von Kryptowerten (BMF-Schreiben vom 6. März 2025) · as of 2025-03-06 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: South African Revenue Service — Crypto Assets & Tax · as of 2026-03-20 |
| Difference | −18 pp | South Africa higher |
South Africa's crypto tax rate is 18pp higher than Germany's (18% vs 0%). The 88-country average is 13%: Germany sits below it, South Africa sits above it. Germany's figure is dated 2025-03-06 and South Africa's 2026-03-20, so the two rates come from different data vintages.
Wealth Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 0% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Germany (Individual, Other taxes) · as of 2026-06-30 |
| South Africa | 0% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | 0 pp | displayed rates match |
Germany's wealth tax rate is identical to South Africa's — both sit at 0%. The 193-country average is 0.1%: both sit below it.