Grow Your Wealth, Keep Every Cent
This account lets you invest in the stock market without paying tax on your profits. You get access to over 70 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with the flexibility to buy or sell anytime. It’s the smart way to build long-term wealth and make the most of your R36 000 annual tax-free allowance.
What the Account Is For
This account is ideal if you want to:
- Grow your investments tax-free
- Invest in JSE-listed ETFs with as little as R250
- Keep full control of your portfolio using the Standard Bank app
- Reinvest your profits without using up your contribution limits
How the Account Works (With Examples)
You can buy and sell ETFs in your account just like shares.
Example:
- You buy R1 000 of a technology ETF in your Tax-Free Investment Account.
- You hold it for 3 years and it grows to R1 500.
- When you sell, you keep the full R500 profit. No capital gains tax. No dividend tax. No securities transfer tax.
Contribution Limits
| Limit Type | Amount |
| Annual Limit | R36 000 per person |
| Lifetime Limit | R500 000 total |
If you invest more than the allowed amount, SARS will penalise you with extra tax. It’s your responsibility to track your contributions.
What It Costs
| Fee Type | Cost |
| Brokerage | 0.15% per trade (no minimum) |
| Safe Custody Fee | 0.12% annually (0.01% per month) |
| STRATE Fees | R3.97 per trade |
| Investor Protection Levy (IPL) | 0.0002% of trade value |
| VAT | Charged on brokerage, STRATE & IPL |
| Withdrawals | R4.56 per withdrawal |
| Early Settlement Fee (optional) | 0.25%, min R39.90 (incl. VAT) |
What You Get
- Access to over 70 ETFs on the JSE
- No tax on:
- Capital gains
- Interest earned
- Dividends
- Earnings in your account can be reinvested tax-free
- View and manage everything from the Standard Bank app
- Set up recurring investments
- Earn interest on unused funds in your account
- Use your UCount points to top up your investment
How Buying and Selling Works
Buying
- Trade minimum = R250
- Use “Top up my account” to fund your account instantly
- If the market is closed, the trade goes through when it opens
- Automate monthly ETF purchases
Selling
- Sell anytime
- Choose to reinvest profits or withdraw to your bank account
- Withdrawals take 3 business days to reflect
Who Should Consider This Account?
| ✅ Great Fit If… | ❌ Not Ideal If… |
| You want long-term, tax-free growth | You need short-term access to full capital |
| You’re happy managing your own investments | You prefer a fixed interest savings account |
| You like investing in ETFs | You’re not comfortable with share price changes |
| You want to make the most of your R36 000 cap | You don’t want to track your tax contribution limits |
How to Open the Account
You’ll need a Standard Bank rand-denominated transactional account.
If you’re under 18, you’ll need your parent or guardian’s consent.
How to Apply on the Banking App:
- Log in
- Tap More
- Select Open a new account
- Tap Share Trading Investments
- Select Tax-Free Investment Account
Want to Learn More?
👉 Learn about ETFs
👉 See full SARS contribution rules
👉 Compare this with other investment accounts on Buti.co.za
Final Word from Buti
If you’re serious about building wealth and keeping every cent you earn, this is one of the best tools in the game. No tax. No fuss. Just smart investing.
Start now and let time do the work for you.