City of Tshwane Rates and Taxes Calculator 2020
Calculate your property rates, service charges, and municipal taxes for the 2020 financial year
Your Estimated Rates and Taxes (2020)
Comprehensive Guide to City of Tshwane Rates and Taxes (2020)
The City of Tshwane’s rates and taxes system for 2020 reflects the municipality’s approach to funding essential services while balancing affordability for residents. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how property rates are calculated, what services are included, and how you can potentially reduce your municipal bill through rebates and efficient usage.
1. Understanding Property Rates in Tshwane (2020)
Property rates form the backbone of Tshwane’s revenue system. For 2020, the municipality implemented a phased-in valuation system based on the Municipal Property Rates Act (Act 6 of 2004). Here’s how it works:
- Valuation Basis: Properties are valued at market value as determined by the municipal valuer
- Rate in the Rand: The 2020 rate was set at 0.00587 (5.87 cents per R1 of property value) for residential properties
- Annual Rebate: R150,000 was deducted from the market value before calculation (effectively making the first R150,000 tax-free)
- Monthly Calculation: The annual amount is divided by 12 for monthly billing
| Property Value (ZAR) | Annual Rates Before Rebate | Annual Rates After Rebate | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| R500,000 | R2,935 | R2,093 | R174.42 |
| R1,000,000 | R5,870 | R4,185 | R348.75 |
| R1,500,000 | R8,805 | R6,278 | R523.13 |
| R2,500,000 | R14,675 | R10,468 | R872.30 |
Note: Commercial and industrial properties have different rate structures, typically ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% of market value, with no rebate applied.
2. Service Charges Breakdown (2020 Tariffs)
The City of Tshwane provides several essential services, each with its own tariff structure for 2020:
2.1 Water Tariffs (2020)
Tshwane implemented a stepped tariff system to encourage water conservation:
| Usage Range (kL/month) | Rate per kL (ZAR) | Example Cost for Usage |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 kL | R15.73 | R94.38 |
| 7-10 kL | R22.47 | R224.70 (for 10kL) |
| 11-20 kL | R25.30 | R506.00 (for 20kL) |
| 21-35 kL | R31.01 | R1,085.35 (for 35kL) |
| 36+ kL | R38.76 | R1,938.00 (for 50kL) |
All water accounts include a fixed basic charge of R120.00/month plus a sanitation charge calculated at 70% of the water consumption cost.
2.2 Electricity Tariffs (2020)
Electricity in Tshwane follows Eskom’s Megaflex tariff structure with time-of-use pricing:
- Peak (07:00-10:00, 18:00-20:00): R2.15/kWh
- Standard (06:00-07:00, 10:00-18:00, 20:00-22:00): R1.30/kWh
- Off-peak (22:00-06:00, weekends): R0.75/kWh
- Basic Charge: R180.00/month
For residential customers, the average blended rate works out to approximately R1.45/kWh for typical usage patterns.
2.3 Refuse Removal Fees (2020)
- Standard Service: R180.00/month (weekly collection)
- Premium Service: R280.00/month (twice weekly collection)
- Garden Refuse: R120.00/month (optional)
3. Rebates and Discounts Available in 2020
The City of Tshwane offered several rebate programs in 2020 to assist qualifying residents:
- Pensioner Rebate:
- Available to property owners aged 60+ years
- 50% rebate on property rates (capped at R500/month)
- Must be the registered owner and occupant
- Maximum income: R15,000/month (single) or R25,000/month (couple)
- Indigent Support:
- For households with income < R3,200/month
- 100% rebate on property rates (for properties valued under R500,000)
- Free basic water (6kL/month) and electricity (50kWh/month)
- 50% discount on sanitation charges
- Disability Grant:
- For property owners with registered disabilities
- 25% rebate on property rates
- Must provide medical certificate
- Prepayment Discount:
- 2% discount for accounts paid before due date
- 5% discount for full annual payment in advance
To apply for rebates, residents needed to submit applications with supporting documents to their nearest City of Tshwane customer service center.
4. How to Appeal Your Property Valuation
If you believed your property was overvalued in 2020, you could follow this appeals process:
- Obtain Your Valuation Notice: Received annually in February/March
- Gather Evidence: Collect comparable property sales data (from Lightstone or property portals)
- Submit Objection: File within 30 days of receiving notice using Form MV1
- Valuer Inspection: Municipal valuer may inspect your property
- Decision: Typically received within 60 days
- Further Appeal: If dissatisfied, appeal to the Valuation Appeal Board within 30 days
Successful appeals in 2020 often resulted in valuation reductions of 10-30%, significantly lowering annual rates bills.
5. Payment Options and Penalties
The City of Tshwane offered multiple payment channels in 2020:
- Online: Via the municipal website or banking apps
- Bank Transfer: Using your 13-digit account number as reference
- Debit Order: Monthly deductions on 1st or 15th of the month
- In Person: At municipal offices, Pick n Pay, or Boxer stores
- USSD: Dial *120*874# (free from all networks)
Important Deadlines and Penalties:
- Accounts due by the 15th of each month
- 10% penalty applied after 30 days overdue
- Interest charged at 1.5% per month (19.56% annually) on overdue amounts
- Accounts >60 days overdue may result in service restrictions
6. Comparing Tshwane to Other Major Municipalities (2020)
To provide context, here’s how Tshwane’s 2020 rates compared to other major South African cities:
| Municipality | Rate in the Rand (Residential) | Rebate Amount | Water (R/kL) | Electricity (R/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Tshwane | 0.00587 | R150,000 | R15.73-R38.76 | R1.45 (avg) |
| City of Johannesburg | 0.00650 | R200,000 | R16.20-R40.50 | R1.60 (avg) |
| eThekwini (Durban) | 0.00598 | R190,000 | R14.80-R35.60 | R1.38 (avg) |
| City of Cape Town | 0.00750 | R150,000 | R17.50-R45.00 | R1.80 (avg) |
| Nelson Mandela Bay | 0.00620 | R120,000 | R15.20-R38.00 | R1.50 (avg) |
Tshwane’s rates were generally 10-15% lower than Johannesburg and Cape Town, though water tariffs were comparable to Durban’s. The city maintained a middle position in terms of affordability among major metros.
7. Common Issues and Solutions in 2020
Residents frequently encountered these challenges with Tshwane’s billing system in 2020:
- Incorrect Valuations:
- Issue: Properties valued significantly above market rates
- Solution: Submit comparative market analysis with objection
- Estimated Readings:
- Issue: High bills based on estimated rather than actual consumption
- Solution: Submit meter readings via USSD (*120*874#) or online
- Rebate Non-Application:
- Issue: Approved rebates not reflected on accounts
- Solution: Contact call center (012 358 9999) with reference number
- Double Billing:
- Issue: Being billed for previous owner’s consumption
- Solution: Request account history and submit clearance certificate
- Service Charges for Vacant Land:
- Issue: Being charged for services on undeveloped land
- Solution: Apply for “vacant land” classification (reduced rates)
For persistent issues, residents could escalate complaints to the Office of the City Manager.
8. Budgeting Tips for Tshwane Residents
To manage your municipal expenses effectively in 2020:
- Monitor Usage: Install water and electricity meters to track consumption in real-time
- Time Electricity Use: Shift high-consumption activities (laundry, geysers) to off-peak hours
- Rainwater Harvesting: Install water tanks to reduce municipal water usage (rebates available)
- Solar Water Heaters: Qualify for municipal rebates (up to R12,000 in 2020)
- Prepayment Meters: Consider for better budget control (available for water and electricity)
- Regular Checks: Verify your account monthly via the Tshwane online portal
- Payment Arrangements: If struggling, negotiate payment plans before accounts become overdue
Important Disclaimer: This calculator and information provide estimates based on the City of Tshwane’s 2020 tariffs. Actual bills may vary due to:
- Special levies or local improvement charges
- Changes in municipal policies or tariffs
- Individual property characteristics not accounted for in this tool
- Arrears or credits from previous periods
For official calculations, always refer to your municipal account or contact the City of Tshwane directly at 012 358 9999. The municipality’s official tariff documents should be consulted for precise figures.