PDF Reference Guide

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

A 15-chapter 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 Interactive Playbook + PDF Guide. Best value.

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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.

15 Chapters

Every topic covered in one reference document.

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

1

Understanding Estate Duty

How the 20% charge is calculated on your SA estate

2

The R3.5 Million Abatement

What qualifies and where most people make mistakes

3

Executor Fees Explained

How the 3.5% + VAT fee works and which assets are included

4

Capital Gains Tax on Death

How deemed disposal works and which assets trigger CGT

5

Drafting a Valid Will

Legal requirements and common errors under SA law

6

How Trusts Work in SA

Discretionary, vesting, and testamentary trusts explained

7

The Trust + (Pty) Ltd Structure

Combining a trust and company for asset protection

8

Retirement Annuities and Nominations

Why RA proceeds fall outside your estate

9

Income Splitting Strategies

How to distribute income across family members legally

10

Section 4(q) Spousal Bequest

The unlimited spousal deduction and its implications

11

Life Insurance and Estate Planning

Which policies form part of your estate, which do not

12

Offshore Assets and Allowances

The R10 million allowance and foreign assets at death

13

Business Succession Planning

How to structure ownership to avoid forced sale

14

The 15-Point Planning Checklist

A structured review of your current exposure

15

Attorney Preparation Roadmap

Questions to ask and documents to bring

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.

  • 15 full chapters on every major SA estate planning topic
  • 2025/26 SARS rates built into every example and calculation
  • 27-row SARS quick-reference table for fast lookups
  • 15-point planning 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 15 estate-planning chapters
  • 2025/26 SARS rates throughout
  • 27-row SARS quick-reference table
  • 15-point planning 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 Bundle

The Complete Bundle includes the Interactive Playbook plus this PDF Guide: 15 modules, 4 live calculators, and a trust comparison tool. Everything in one purchase, at a lower combined price.

  • Everything in the PDF Guide
  • 15-module interactive playbook
  • 4 live estate-planning calculators
  • Trust vs no-trust comparison tool
  • Saves R99 vs buying separately
  • Once-off payment, lifetime access
R599 once-off

Interactive Playbook + PDF Guide included

Common Questions

Frequently asked

What exactly is included in the PDF Guide?
15 chapters covering estate duty, executor fees, CGT, wills, trusts, RA nominations, offshore allowances, business succession, income splitting, and more. Each chapter includes worked South African examples with current SARS rates. Also includes a 27-row quick-reference table, a 15-point planning 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 Bundle?
The PDF Guide is a reference document. The Complete Bundle adds the Interactive Playbook: 15 step-through modules with live calculators, trust modelling tools, and a wealth scorecard. The Bundle 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.