Tax Exempt Institutions

Key Income Tax Exemption Information

As part of the introduction of the Income Tax Exempt Institutions online application, the below provides a brief description of each of the Exemption Types and a checklist to assist applicants with the requirements to apply for Income Tax Exemption.

Institution/ Board/Body Established by Law – Section 10(1)(cA)(i)

Institution, board, or body established in terms of South African legislation which is partially or fully funded through public resources and performs the required objects.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Company Owned by Institution/Board/Body Established by Law – Section 10(1)(cA)(ii)

A company whose shares are fully owned by one or more Institutions, boards, or bodies approved under section 10(1)(cA)(i), and whose operations are ancillary or complementary to the objects of such Institutions, boards or bodies.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Public Benefit Organisations (“PBOs”) – Section 10(1)(cN) read with Section 30

A Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) is a not for profit entity that performs one or more public benefit activities for the benefit of, or is widely accessible to, the general public at large, including welfare, humanitarian, education, religion, sports and cultural.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Recreational Club – Section 10(1)(cO) read with Section 30A

A not-for profit entity formed mainly for social, recreational or amateur sporting purposes, such as sports clubs or hobby clubs, which is for the use of its members and not to make profits for distribution.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Small Business Funding Entity – Section 10(1)(cQ) read with Section 30C

An entity which has been formed to provide financial or other support to small, medium and micro‑enterprises (SMMEs). Its purpose must be to promote economic development and not to generate profits for members or shareholders.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Other Membership Association – Section 10(1)(d)(iii) read with Section 30B

A member based entity formed to pursue a common interest. There are different types listed in the Act, namely mutual loan association, fidelity or indemnity fund, trade union, chamber of commerce, or industries (or an association of such chambers), and local publicity association.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application

Industry / Professional Body – Section 10(1)(d)(iv)(bb) read with Section 30B

A non profit, membership based entity that exists to promote the common interest of persons, carrying on any particular kind of business, profession, or occupation. Its income must be derived substantially the whole from its membership fees.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Levy Membership Association (including HOAs) – Section 10(1)(e)(i)(cc)

A member based, non profit entity formed solely to manage and fund the collective interests of its members in relation to shared immovable property, through the collection of levies.

This checklist guides you through the required supporting documents for income tax registration and exemption application.

Nature of Entity Type Information

Only specific Nature of Entity types can apply for income tax exemption. The table below lists permitted entities as defined on the SARS RAV01 form and should be used accordingly.

Please note that the Income Tax Exemption container will not be displayed / accessible if the incorrect Nature of Entity type is selected on the RAV01.

The Nature of Entity type determines which exemption types are available; if a selected entity type does not qualify for that exemption type, that option will not be available for selection.

The following provides guidance on what is provided on the RAV01:

Nature of Entity Types that CAN Apply for Exemption

Association of Persons (Voluntary Association)

• PBO – Section 10(1)(cN)
• Recreational Club (Section 10(1)(cO)
• Small Business Funding Entity (Section 10(1)(cQ)
• Professional Body – Section 10(1)(d)(iv)(bb)
• Other Membership Association – Section 10(1)(d)(iii)
• Levy Membership Association (Section 10(1)(e)(i)(cc)

Club/Society

• Recreational Club (Section 10(1)(cO)
• Professional Body – Section 10(1)(d)(iv)(bb
• Other Membership Association – Section 10(1)(d)(iii))

Foreign Company (Branch of Exempt Foreign Organisation)

PBO – Section 10(1)(cN)

Foreign Government Institution

This will include entities listed as United Nations (UN) or Specialised Agencies and will only be able to apply as PBOs that qualify in terms of Section 18A(1)(bA)

Institution/Board/Body Established by Law

Institution, Board or Body (Institution) contemplated in section 10(1)(cA)(i) of the Act.

Inter-vivos Trust

• PBO – Section 10(1)(cN)
• Small Business Funding Entity (Section 10(1)(cQ)

Government/Public/State Institution

This will include a government department in either the national, provincial, or local sphere that apply as PBOs that qualify in terms of 18A(1)(c) of the Act.

Non-Profit Company (NPC)

• PBO – Section 10(1)(cN)
• Recreational Club (Section 10(1)(cO)
• Small Business Funding Entity (Section 10(1)(cQ)
• Professional Body – Section 10(1)(d)(iv)(bb)
• Other Membership Association – Section 10(1)(d)(iii)
• Levy Membership Association (Section 10(1)(e)(i)(cc)

Private Company (Pty Ltd)

Can only be considered if it is applying in terms of Section 10(1)(cA)(ii) and will never be able to apply for any other exemption categories

Testamentary Trust

PBO – Section 10(1)(cN)

Please note that you will not be able to access the Income Tax Exemption container if the incorrect Nature of Entity type is selected on the RAV01.

The following provides guidance on what is not permissible Nature of Entity type selections as per the RAV01:

Nature of Entity Types that CAN NOT Apply for Exemption

Value Added Tax (VAT) Designation

• Association not for Gain
• Welfare Organisation

Individual

• Body of Persons
• Sole Proprietors
• Partnerships

Company

• Closed Corporation
• Personal Liability Company (Inc.)
• Primary Cooperative
• Private Company (Pty)
• Public Company (Ltd)
• Unlimited Company
• Company Limited by Guarantee

Foreign Entity

• Foreign Company
• Foreign eCommerce Company – email address mandatory for this option
• Foreign Governmental Institution
• Foreign Trust

Cooperatives (Governed by the Co operatives Act, 2005)

• Company Limited by Guarantee
• Secondary Cooperative
• Tertiary Cooperative

Collective Investment Schemes

• Collective Investment Schemes in Securities
• Collective Investment Schemes in Properties

What’s New

  • 9 April 2026 – EI Application Form

SARS has provided an example of the updated online (eFiling) EI Application form, which is made available to help applicants familiarise themselves with the information required during the EI application process  – RAVTEI.

Please note that this example is not an official application form and will not be accepted by SARS for submission. However, taxpayers may use it when visiting a SARS branch for assistance with submitting the EI Application online.

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