JP · AsiaZA · Africa
Japan vs South Africa: tax rates compared
Japan's income tax rate is 10.9pp higher than South Africa's (55.9% vs 45%). The 200-country average is 28%: both sit above it. Japan'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 | JP | ZA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 55.9% | 45% | JP +10.9 pp |
| Corporate Tax | 29.7% | 27% | JP +2.7 pp |
| VAT | 10% | 15% | ZA +5 pp |
| Capital Gains Tax | 20.3% | 18% | JP +2.3 pp |
| Crypto Tax | 55% | 18% | JP +37 pplargest gap |
| Wealth Tax | 0% | 0% | match |
Income Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 55.9% | 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 | +10.9 pp | Japan higher |
Corporate Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 29.7% | 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 | +2.7 pp | Japan higher |
Japan's corporate tax rate is 2.7pp higher than South Africa's (29.7% vs 27%). The 201-country average is 22.6%: both sit above it.
VAT
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 10% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Japan (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-01-13 |
| South Africa | 15% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Corporate, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | −5 pp | South Africa higher |
South Africa's VAT rate is 5pp higher than Japan's (15% vs 10%). The 181-country average is 15%: Japan sits below it, South Africa matches the world average.
Capital Gains Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 20.3% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Japan (Individual, Income determination) · as of 2026-01-13 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Income determination) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | +2.3 pp | Japan higher |
Japan's capital gains tax rate is 2.3pp higher than South Africa's (20.3% vs 18%). The 175-country average is 10.3%: both sit above it.
Crypto Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 55% | Source: PWC Japan — Japan Tax Update: Overview of 2026 Tax Reform Proposals (December 2025) · as of 2025-12-19 |
| South Africa | 18% | Source: South African Revenue Service — Crypto Assets & Tax · as of 2026-03-20 |
| Difference | +37 pp | Japan higher |
Japan's crypto tax rate is 37pp higher than South Africa's (55% vs 18%). The 88-country average is 13%: both sit above it. Japan's figure is dated 2025-12-19 and South Africa's 2026-03-20, so the two rates come from different data vintages.
Wealth Tax
| Country | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 0% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — Japan (Individual, Other taxes) · as of 2026-01-13 |
| South Africa | 0% | Source: PWC Worldwide Tax Summaries — South Africa (Individual, Other taxes) · as of 2026-05-29 |
| Difference | 0 pp | displayed rates match |
Japan'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.