Tax guide

Wear and tear: Interpretation Note 47

A tool that lasts years is usually capital. Section 11(e) lets you write it off over the SARS-accepted life, not the day you tapped the card.

Typical lives

IN 47 lists rates. Common ones people get wrong: personal computers and laptops — 3 years (33⅓% a year, straight line, no residual in the usual table). Delivery vehicles — 4 years. Passenger cars used in a trade — 5 years. Always read the current note; SARS updates the annexure.

Small items

Low-value assets can be written off faster under the note’s small-item practice, but “I bought it at Takealot” is not the test. Keep the invoice and the business-use percentage.

Salary-only years

Section 23(m) still blocks most equipment against a pure salary. IN 47 does not override 23(m). A freelancer with a real trade can depreciate the laptop. A PAYE-only teacher generally cannot.

What Taxzi does

Large equipment tagged 100% deductible is flagged. The live total should use about one-third in year one for a three-year asset unless you have a lawful small-item basis.

Disclaimer: This is general guidance based on the South African Income Tax Act and published SARS Interpretation Notes as at the 2026/2027 year of assessment (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027). It is not professional tax advice. Deductibility depends on your facts. Confirm current figures on sars.gov.za before you file.

Find the laptop and equipment claims in your bank statements

Upload bank statements. Taxzi flags lines that may qualify under SARS rules. Mixed shops stay out until you say what they were. You confirm every claim. This is guidance — not a filed return.

Works with FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Capitec, Investec and Discovery Bank PDF statements.

Check my statement for laptop and equipment claims (free)

3 + 3 free estimates