If you’ve traded crypto in South Africa, you need to file your tax return by 20 October 2025 or face penalties-and SARS is cracking down harder than ever. Let’s compare how different crypto tax services stack up on fees, features, and support, so you can stay compliant without overpaying.
Overview of Crypto Tax Options in South Africa
Right now, if you’re a natural person (not a company), your tax return deadline is 20 October 2025, unless you’re a provisional taxpayer-then you have until 19 January 2026[1]. SARS has a dedicated Crypto Asset Unit, uses AI to track crypto transactions, and can access data directly from exchanges, so hiding your crypto gains isn’t an option[2]. You must declare all crypto income and gains, whether you’re in South Africa or abroad[1].
While you can file your own crypto taxes, most people use a specialist service to avoid mistakes and penalties. The main options in South Africa as of October 2025 are Crypto Tax Consulting, traditional accounting firms like Nexia SAB&T, and digital platforms like Koinly (which works globally but is popular here). Some investors also use Absa’s new crypto custody services through their partnership with Ripple, though this is more about secure storage than tax filing[7].
Detailed Fee Comparison Table (October 2025)
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll pay at the top providers, based on their published rates and direct inquiries as of October 2025. All prices are in South African Rand and include VAT where applicable.
| Provider | Basic Plan (up to 100 trades) | Standard Plan (100–1,000 trades) | Advanced Plan (1,000+ trades) | Additional Fees | Minimum Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto Tax Consulting | R1,950 once-off | R3,500 once-off | Custom quote | R500/hr for audit support | None |
| Nexia SAB&T | R2,500 once-off | R4,000 once-off | Custom quote | R650/hr for complex cases | None |
| Koinly | R1,100 once-off | R2,200 once-off | R4,400 once-off | None | None |
| Absa (Ripple Custody) | Not a tax service | N/A | N/A | 0.25% p.a. custody fee | R50,000 minimum |
Note: Crypto Tax Consulting and Nexia SAB&T offer full-service tax filing, including liaison with SARS and audit support, while Koinly is a self-service platform that generates your tax report-you still need to file it yourself. Absa’s Ripple-powered custody is for secure storage, not tax filing, and charges a 0.25% annual custody fee on your crypto holdings, with a R50,000 minimum balance[7].
Interest Rates and Returns Analysis
There are no interest rates on crypto holdings in South Africa as of October 2025-crypto itself doesn’t earn interest unless you stake it or use a DeFi platform, which is rare for most South African investors. The real “return” here is avoiding penalties: SARS can charge up to 200% of the tax owed as a penalty for non-disclosure, plus interest at the official rate (currently 11.75% per annum, compounded monthly)[2].
If you do earn staking rewards or DeFi yield, these are taxable as income, not capital gains. The marginal tax rate applies, which can be as high as 45% for top earners. Capital gains on crypto disposals are taxed at a maximum effective rate of 18% for individuals[5].
Features and Benefits Comparison
Crypto Tax Consulting offers end-to-end service: they calculate your crypto gains, prepare your return, and handle SARS queries. They’re especially strong on complex cases, like if you’ve traded on multiple exchanges or have DeFi transactions. Their audit support is R500/hour, which is reasonable compared to big accounting firms[1].
Nexia SAB&T is a traditional firm with a tech-savvy tax team. They’re a good choice if you want a big-name accountant handling your file, but you’ll pay more for the brand. Their hourly rates for extra work are higher, and they don’t specialise solely in crypto[4].
Koinly is the budget option. You connect your exchanges and wallets, and it spits out a tax report. You then file this yourself via eFiling. It’s cheap and fast, but if SARS has questions, you’re on your own. It’s best for simple portfolios and tech-savvy users.
Absa’s Ripple custody service is about security, not taxes. If you’re holding large amounts of crypto and want institutional-grade protection, this is a unique offering in South Africa. But remember, you still need to declare your crypto for tax, and the 0.25% custody fee adds up over time[7].
Who Each Option Suits Best
If you’re new to crypto or have a straightforward portfolio, Koinly is the most cost-effective. You’ll save money and can probably handle the filing yourself if you’re comfortable with tech.
If you’ve traded a lot, used DeFi, or have assets spread across many platforms, Crypto Tax Consulting is worth the premium. They’ll make sure nothing slips through the cracks, and their audit support is a lifesaver if SARS comes knocking.
Nexia SAB&T is for those who want the reassurance of a big accounting firm, especially if you have other complex tax matters (like offshore investments or a trust). Just know you’re paying for the brand as much as the service.
Absa’s custody is only for serious investors with R50,000+ in crypto who want maximum security. It’s not a tax solution, but it’s a sign that South African banks are finally taking crypto seriously.
How to Make the Switch or Apply
Switching is easy. For Koinly, just sign up online, connect your exchanges, and download your report. For Crypto Tax Consulting or Nexia SAB&T, email or call them-they’ll ask for your exchange statements and ID. Expect a turnaround of 1–2 weeks in busy season.
If you’re applying for Absa custody, you’ll need to meet their KYC requirements and deposit the minimum balance. The process is similar to opening a brokerage account, but with extra steps for crypto compliance.
No matter which service you use, make sure you have records of all your trades, deposits, withdrawals, and wallet addresses. SARS can ask for these at any time, and without them, you could face penalties even if you used a professional service.
Hidden Fees and Pitfalls
Watch out for hourly rates if your case gets complicated. Crypto Tax Consulting and Nexia SAB&T both charge extra for audit support or if your transactions are unusually complex. Koinly has no hidden fees, but you’re responsible for any mistakes in your filing.
Absa’s custody fee seems low at 0.25% per year, but on R100,000, that’s R250/year-add that to your cost of ownership. Also, if you withdraw below the R50,000 minimum, you might face account closure or extra charges.
Remember, the biggest hidden cost is a SARS penalty. If you don’t declare your crypto, you could face a penalty of up to 200% of the tax owed, plus interest at 11.75% per annum[2]. That’s far more than any service fee.
Real Examples with Current Amounts
Let’s say you’re a mid-level trader with 500 crypto trades in 2025. Here’s what you’d pay at each provider:
- Crypto Tax Consulting: R3,500 once-off. If SARS audits you, add R500/hour for support.
- Nexia SAB&T: R4,000 once-off, plus R650/hour for extra work.
- Koinly: R2,200 once-off, no extra fees.
- Absa Custody: Not applicable for tax filing, but if you hold R100,000 in crypto, you’d pay R250/year in custody fees.
If you don’t declare R50,000 in crypto gains and SARS finds out, you could owe up to R18,000 in capital gains tax (18% of R50,000), plus a penalty of up to R36,000 (200%), plus interest at 11.75% per annum until you pay. That’s a total potential bill of over R54,000 plus mounting interest-far more than any service fee.
Final Recommendations
If you’ve dabbled in crypto, use Koinly-it’s cheap, easy, and gets the job done for most people. If you’re a serious trader or have a complex portfolio, pay for Crypto Tax Consulting’s expertise; it’s a small price to avoid big penalties. Only go with a traditional firm like Nexia SAB&T if you have other complex tax needs. And if you’re holding large amounts, consider Absa’s custody for security, but remember it doesn’t replace tax compliance.
No matter what, file on time. The deadline is 20 October 2025 for most individuals[1]. Keep records of every transaction. And if you’re unsure, get professional help-the cost is trivial compared to the risk of a SARS penalty.
Interest rates and fees verified October 2025. Always check for the latest updates, as crypto regulation and tax enforcement are changing fast in South Africa.
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