Work out the day rate you actually need to charge to take home what you want.
For South African sole proprietors and small contractors pricing their time. Covers vehicle costs, tools, insurance, SARS income tax and the days you're not working.
Sound familiar?
- “You undercut yourself because everyone else in the area charges low day rates.”
- “You're busy all month and still wondering where the money went.”
- “Your accountant tells you the tax bill in February and it's always worse than you thought.”
What this tool does
Takes your desired take-home, fixed business costs, and realistic working days per year, and calculates the minimum day rate that leaves you with that take-home after SARS income tax for the 2026/27 tax year.
Earnings
Costs
Time off
Result
What do you want to take home?
What you actually want in your pocket after SARS income tax and business costs. Not turnover. Not gross.
R
After SARS income tax and all business costs.
What the law actually says
- •Sole proprietors are taxed on net business profit at sliding marginal rates under the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962.