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Process MapConveyancingMedium
Transfer Duty Guide
Process map for understanding transfer duty, SARS steps, payment timing, and property transfer dependencies.
Time to prepare1-3 hours
Before you start
0/4 completedNeed help with this checklist?
Get support from a lawyer who works with conveyancing matters.
Before SARS submission
0/4 completedOn payment or receipt day
0/3 completedAfterwards
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You are buying property and need to understand the transfer-duty steps handled through the conveyancer.
You need to prepare documents and questions about SARS transfer duty, VAT, exemptions, or transfer-cost timing.
Not For
- Calculating exact tax, VAT, exemptions, or penalties without a conveyancer or tax adviser.
- Replacing SARS guidance, conveyancer instructions, or legal advice on a specific transaction.
Documents
- Offer to purchase
- Addenda
- Buyer and seller details
- Tax numbers
- ID documents
- Proof of address
- Marriage documents
- Company or trust records
- FICA documents
- Proof of payment
- SARS receipt
- Conveyancer statement
Timeline
- Before signature: ask whether transfer duty, VAT, or exemption issues may apply.
- After signature: provide sale, identity, tax, and FICA documents.
- Before lodgement: pay transfer duty and obtain the SARS receipt where required.
- After registration: store SARS and conveyancer records.
Tips
- Do not assume transfer duty applies when the seller may be VAT-registered.
- Use only verified conveyancer payment instructions.
- Ask for written confirmation of any exemption or unusual tax treatment.
- Keep SARS receipt proof with the property file.
Warning Signs
- VAT status is unclear.
- The buyer or seller is a company, trust, estate, or foreign party.
- The purchase price changes after signature.
- Payment instructions arrive from an unexpected email address.
Official sources
- SARS Transfer DutyTransfer-duty process, conveyancer submission, payment, and receipt context.
- SARS eFiling transfer duty guideTransfer-duty declaration and eFiling context.
- Law Society of South Africa e-transfer referenceConveyancing and transfer-duty practitioner context.
This checklist is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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