Does each TFSA provider have its own R46,000 annual limit?

No. The annual and lifetime limits apply to you across all tax-free savings accounts combined. EasyEquities or your bank only shows room left in their own account — not your total SARS limit.

If I withdraw from my TFSA, do I get contribution room back?

No. Withdrawals do not restore lifetime contribution room. Only unused annual room carries forward within the same tax year rules — track lifetime totals carefully before contributing again.

What happens if I exceed the TFSA limit?

SARS charges a penalty of 40% on contributions above the annual or lifetime cap. Fix the over-contribution before adding more — providers will not block you from depositing past the combined limit.

Which tax year do TFSA limits use?

South Africa uses a tax year from 1 March to the last day of February. The R46,000 annual limit applies per tax year, not per calendar year.

Guide

How to track TFSA room across multiple providers

Your TFSA annual and lifetime limits apply across all your tax-free savings accounts combined — not per provider. For 2026/27 that means a maximum of R46,000 in new contributions this tax year and R500,000 over your lifetime.

Exceed either cap and SARS charges a 40% penalty on the excess. Because each provider only sees their own account, you need your own cross-provider view before you transfer again.

The problem

Most investors have more than one TFSA — EasyEquities, a bank TFSA, an RA provider's tax-free product, or an offshore wrapper. Each provider's app only shows contributions to their account. None of them show your total room across SARS's combined limit.

It is easy to think you still have "room left" in a second account when you have already used most of the annual or lifetime cap elsewhere.

What you need to track

Contributions in the current tax year (March–February) across every TFSA
Lifetime contributions since your first TFSA opened
Remaining annual and lifetime room before your next contribution

Limit	2026/27
Annual contribution	R46,000
Lifetime contribution	R500,000

Tax year: 1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027. Refresh after each National Budget — figures change. Planning estimates only, not SARS-verified.

Worked example

You have two TFSAs. This tax year you contributed R23,000 to EasyEquities (lifetime R180,000) and R15,000 to a bank TFSA (lifetime R95,000).

This tax year: R23,000 + R15,000 = R38,000 used → R8,000 annual room left
Lifetime: R180,000 + R95,000 = R275,000 used → R225,000 lifetime room left

Before your next contribution, check both annual and lifetime room — whichever is tighter is your real limit.

Spreadsheet vs a dedicated tracker

A spreadsheet works if you maintain it religiously and update every provider every month. Most people don't — and the formulas break when limits change or accounts are added.

Libevyn adds up the contribution totals you enter per TFSA account and shows remaining room in one place, alongside your full net worth and FIRE portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

Does each TFSA provider have its own R46,000 annual limit?: No. The annual and lifetime limits apply to you across all tax-free savings accounts combined. EasyEquities or your bank only shows room left in their own account — not your total SARS limit.
If I withdraw from my TFSA, do I get contribution room back?: No. Withdrawals do not restore lifetime contribution room. Only unused annual room carries forward within the same tax year rules — track lifetime totals carefully before contributing again.
What happens if I exceed the TFSA limit?: SARS charges a penalty of 40% on contributions above the annual or lifetime cap. Fix the over-contribution before adding more — providers will not block you from depositing past the combined limit.
Which tax year do TFSA limits use?: South Africa uses a tax year from 1 March to the last day of February. The R46,000 annual limit applies per tax year, not per calendar year.

Try it in Libevyn

Add each TFSA as its own account, enter contributions, and see total room before you contribute again. 14-day free trial — no bank passwords.

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Planning information only — not financial or tax advice. Figures are estimates from the numbers you enter; not SARS-verified. Confirm with SARS or a registered practitioner before acting.