PDF Reference Guide

Understand exactly what South African law takes from your estate when you die.

An 11-part plain-English reference guide covering estate duty, executor fees, capital gains tax, wills, trusts, and every legal structure available to South Africans. Read it once. Refer to it for life.

Includes Full System Tool + PDF Guide. Best value.

Instant download 7-day guarantee Once-off payment Secure checkout
The Problem

South African law takes a significant cut from every estate. Most families do not know how much.

20%

Estate Duty

Charged on the portion of your estate above the R3.5 million abatement. Many families cross this threshold without realising it.

4.025%

Executor Fees

3.5% of gross estate value plus VAT. On a R5 million estate, that is over R200,000 in fees before a cent reaches your family.

~18%

Capital Gains Tax

Death triggers a deemed disposal. CGT on growth above your base cost is calculated and paid before assets transfer to your heirs.

These three charges stack. Without a plan, your family could receive far less than you intended. The first step is understanding where you are exposed.

11 Parts

Every topic covered in one reference document.

Each part covers one topic in plain English with South African examples, current SARS rates, and guidance on what to discuss with your attorney.

1

What Can Reduce Family Wealth

The costs and taxes that hit an estate on death.

2

The Trust + Company Model

How the structure works, and its real risks.

3

2026/27 Tax Reference Tables

Brackets, rebates, CGT, donations, TFSA, VAT and more.

4

Estate Duty, Executor Fees and CGT

Worked examples of the three big estate costs.

5

Trusts and Companies in Practice

Roles, the conduit principle and compliance.

6

Donations, Retirement, TFSAs and Long-Term Planning

The annual planning tools.

7

Advanced Legal Strategies and SARS Focus Areas

Section 7C, crypto, 13sex, 18A, offshore.

8

Annual Compliance Checklist

What to do before 28 February, every year.

9

The 10-Year Family Wealth Roadmap

Foundation to legacy, phase by phase.

10

Building Your Advisory Team

The professionals you need and what to ask them.

11

Glossary, Source Note and Final Review

Definitions, sources and a final checklist.

Inside the Guide

Pages from the PDF.

A look at what the guide actually contains: the layout, depth, and style of every chapter.

In the Guide

A reference you will return to repeatedly.

Formatted for screen reading or printing. Not a playbook. A reference document. Use it before your attorney meeting, while reviewing your will, or whenever you need to look something up.

  • 11 full parts on every major SA estate planning topic
  • 2026/27 SARS rates built into every example and calculation
  • 2026/27 SARS quick-reference table for fast lookups
  • annual compliance checklist to identify your specific gaps
  • Attorney preparation roadmap with questions to ask, in order
  • Printable or screen-readable. No login, no subscription.
Who This Is For

If you own anything worth protecting, this is relevant.

Parents and Homeowners

If you own a property and have dependants, your estate is likely larger than you think once bonds, life policies, and pension values are included.

Business Owners

If your business forms part of your estate, you need to understand how shares, loans, and assets interact with estate duty, CGT, and executor valuations.

Professionals with Retirement Savings

RA funds, pension proceeds, and group life cover are treated differently from regular assets at death. Most professionals have significant exposure they are not aware of.

Not the right fit: If you have no dependants, own no property, have no retirement savings, and intend to leave nothing to anyone, this guide is not for you.

PDF Reference Guide

PDF Reference Guide

R199 once-off
  • All 11 estate-planning parts
  • 2026/27 SARS rates throughout
  • 2026/27 SARS quick-reference table
  • annual compliance checklist
  • Attorney preparation roadmap
  • Instant download. No subscription.
7-day satisfaction guarantee. If it does not meet expectations, contact us.
Most Complete Option Best Value

Get more with the Complete Combo

The Complete Combo includes the Full System Tool plus this PDF Guide: 14 sections, 10 live calculators, and a trust comparison tool. Everything in one purchase, at a lower combined price.

  • Everything in the PDF Guide
  • 14-section Full System Tool
  • 10 live estate-planning calculators
  • Trust vs no-trust comparison tool
  • Saves R99 vs buying separately
  • Once-off payment, lifetime access
R599 once-off

Full System Tool + PDF Guide included

Common Questions

Frequently asked

What exactly is included in the PDF Guide?
11 parts covering estate duty, executor fees, CGT, wills, trusts, RA nominations, offshore allowances, business succession, income splitting, and more. Each part includes worked South African examples with current SARS rates. Also includes a 2026/27 SARS quick-reference table, an annual compliance checklist, and an attorney preparation roadmap.
Is this legal or financial advice?
No. Money Secrets SA is educational content only. The guide explains how South African estate planning law and tax work in plain language. It does not provide personal financial, legal, or tax advice. You should use this to have better, more informed conversations with a qualified estate planning attorney.
How do I receive the guide after purchase?
Immediately after checkout, Shopify sends a download link to your email address. The file is a PDF. No account creation is required. You can download it as many times as you need.
What is the difference between the PDF Guide and the Complete Combo?
The PDF Guide is a reference document. The Complete Combo adds the Full System Tool: 14 sections with live calculators, trust modelling tools, and a wealth scorecard. The Combo includes both products at R599 versus R698 if bought separately, saving you R99.
Is there a refund policy?
We offer a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. If the guide does not meet your expectations, email us within 7 days of purchase. As a digital product, refunds are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We cannot offer refunds to customers who have already downloaded and are retaining the content.
Educational Content Disclaimer: Money Secrets SA provides educational content only. It does not provide financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial, legal, estate planning, or tax decisions.
Ready when you are

Start with the Bundle. Or the PDF on its own.

Either way, you are making a decision to understand your estate before a crisis forces the conversation.