08/07/2026
Wondering why your 2026 tax refund feels a bit light—or why you suddenly owe SARS money instead? If you accessed your retirement savings under the new legislation this past year, that is likely the reason. While the Two-Pot system is helpful for emergencies, the tax side of things is catching many people off guard this season because 2026 is the year SARS actively reconciles these amounts.
The most important thing to understand is that SARS views any money you take out of your savings component as part of your total gross income for the year, meaning it is taxed at your normal marginal rate between 18% and 45% rather than a special retirement rate. This creates a "top-up" effect where the withdrawal is added to your salary and can potentially push you into a higher tax bracket altogether. If that happens, you end up paying more tax on every Rand you earned throughout the year, not just on the money you withdrew.
If your fund administrator deducted tax at an estimated rate that turned out to be too low once your total annual income was calculated, or if the extra income bumped your bracket, that difference must be settled now during the filing season. Before you submit your return on eFiling, make sure you have your tax directives and statements ready, and ensure your withdrawal is correctly reflected to avoid any unexpected penalties.
Contact The Tax Shop Linden & Parkhurst for professional guidance:
084 363 2088 [email protected]