Mexico vs South Africa Tax Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of tax rates and systems
Tax Rate Comparison
Rate Comparison
Top Income Tax
35%Lower
45%
Corporate Tax
30%
27%Lower
Capital Gains
35%
18%Lower
VAT / Sales Tax
16%
15%Lower
| Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tax System | Progressive | Progressive |
| Top Income Tax | 35% | 45% |
| Corporate Tax | 30% | 27% |
| Capital Gains | 35% | 18% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 16% | 15% |
| Crypto Tax | Yes | Yes |
| Wealth Tax | No | No |
| Tax Treaties | 60 | 80 |
| Currency | MXN | ZAR |
The bottom line: Mexico vs South Africa
South Africa has the lower headline rate on 3 of the four main taxes (income, corporate, capital gains and VAT), making it the lighter-taxed of the two on paper. Mexico runs a progressive tax system, while South Africa uses a progressive one. South Africa has the wider tax-treaty network (80 agreements), which can reduce withholding tax on cross-border income.
- Income tax: Mexico is lower (35% vs 45%)
- Corporate tax: South Africa is lower (30% vs 27%)
- Capital gains tax: South Africa is lower (35% vs 18%)
- VAT / sales tax: South Africa is lower (16% vs 15%)