FC FirstCheque

Payslip decoder

Type in your numbers and see where every rand goes — with a plain-language explanation for each line.

Before any deductions
Including yourself. 0 if you're not on a medical aid.
Only if it's deducted from your payslip
Pension or RA deducted via payroll

Gross salary

Your salary before anything is taken off. This is usually the number in your offer letter (or your cost-to-company minus employer benefits).

R 25 000,00

PAYE (income tax)

Pay-As-You-Earn: your income tax, withheld by your employer using SARS 2026/27 tables. Everyone gets a R 17 235/yr rebate — that's why low salaries pay no tax.

-R 3 483,08

UIF

Unemployment Insurance Fund: 1% of your salary, capped at R 177,12/month. It funds unemployment, maternity and illness benefits. Your employer pays another 1% on top.

-R 177,12

Take-home pay

R 21 339,80

Effective tax rate 14.6% · marginal rate 26% — every extra R100 you earn, SARS takes 26.

Tip: you're not saving for retirement pre-tax

Contributions to a pension or RA come off your income before tax. At your marginal rate of 26%, SARS effectively pays that share of every contribution. Try the RA calculator →

Educational only — not financial advice
FirstCheque gives general information and estimates based on published SARS tables. It doesn't know your full situation and isn't advice under the FAIS Act. Confirm figures with SARS, your payroll department, or a registered financial adviser.

FirstCheque

Understand your money from your first payslip. Built for young professionals in South Africa.

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The fine print

FirstCheque is an educational tool, not a financial services provider. Nothing here is financial advice as defined in the FAIS Act. Figures use SARS 2026/27 tables and may differ from your actual payslip. Speak to a registered financial adviser before making product decisions.