Guide
TFSA contribution limits for 2026/27 — annual and lifetime
For the South African tax year 1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027, you may contribute up to R46,000 in total across every tax-free savings account you hold. Your lifetime cap across all TFSAs is R500,000.
These limits apply to you, not per provider. Exceed either cap and SARS charges a 40% penalty on the excess amount.
TFSA limits at a glance (2026/27)
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual contribution limit | R46,000 | All TFSAs combined, per tax year |
| Lifetime contribution limit | R500,000 | Cumulative since your first TFSA |
| Tax year | 1 Mar 2026 – 28 Feb 2027 | Not calendar year |
| Penalty on excess | 40% | On amount over annual or lifetime cap |
Planning estimates only, not SARS-verified. Refresh after each National Budget — figures may change.
The problem most investors miss
EasyEquities, your bank, and other providers each show how much room is left in their TFSA — not your combined SARS limit. If you have two accounts, it is easy to deposit R46,000 into each before realising you have breached the annual cap.
See our guide on tracking TFSA room across multiple providers for the full cross-account workflow.
What counts toward your limit
- Every deposit or transfer into any TFSA — lump sums and debit orders
- Contributions across all providers, added together
- Both annual (this tax year) and lifetime (since your first TFSA) totals
Investment growth, dividends, and interest inside the TFSA do not count as contributions. Only money you put in counts.
Worked example
You opened your first TFSA years ago and have contributed R275,000 lifetime. This tax year you have already deposited R38,000 across two providers.
- Annual: R38,000 used → R8,000 left before 28 February 2027
- Lifetime: R275,000 used → R225,000 left over your investing life
Before your next transfer, check both numbers. A large top-up might fit the annual room but breach lifetime room — or the other way around.
Spreadsheet vs a dedicated tracker
A spreadsheet with annual and lifetime columns per provider works if you update it every time you contribute. Most people forget — and the limit figures change after Budget.
Libevyn tracks each TFSA as a separate account, adds contributions for the current tax year and lifetime, and shows remaining annual and lifetime room in one card — before you transfer again.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the R46,000 TFSA limit per account or per person?
- Per person, across all your tax-free savings accounts combined. You can have multiple TFSA accounts at different providers, but the annual and lifetime caps apply to your total contributions — not separately per account.
- Did the TFSA limit change for 2026/27?
- For the 2026/27 tax year (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027), the annual contribution limit remains R46,000 and the lifetime limit remains R500,000. Confirm after each National Budget in case figures are updated.
- What counts as a TFSA contribution?
- Any amount you deposit or transfer into a tax-free savings account counts toward your annual and lifetime limits — including lump sums and debit-order deposits. Investment growth inside the account does not count as a contribution.
- If I withdraw from my TFSA, does my contribution room come back?
- No. Withdrawals do not restore lifetime contribution room. You can re-invest withdrawn amounts inside the same account, but you cannot "re-open" lifetime room you have already used.
- What is the penalty for exceeding the TFSA limit?
- SARS charges a penalty of 40% on contributions above the annual or lifetime cap. Providers generally do not block deposits — you are responsible for tracking your combined total across every TFSA.
Related
Try it in Libevyn
Enter each TFSA's contributions and see annual and lifetime room left in one view. 14-day free trial — no bank passwords.
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.