Everything Counts | Episode 44: What the new 2026 tax allowances mean for you?

The new tax year is here, and the 2026 Budget Speech introduced important changes that could reshape how South Africans save, invest, and plan for retirement. In this episode of Everything Counts, host Motheo Khoaripe sits down with Vumi Dludlu, Investec financial adviser, and Johan Loubser, head of adviser enablement at Investec, to unpack what the 2026 National Budget means for your money, and how you can make the most of the new tax year from day one. From higher tax-free savings limits to a bigger retirement contribution deduction cap, the rules have shifted. But what do these changes actually mean for savers and investors in practice?

In this conversation, we break down:
● The increase in the tax-free savings annual limit to R46,000
● The higher retirement fund deduction cap and what it means for retirement planning
● How the new tax year creates an opportunity to reset your financial strategy
● Why starting contributions early can significantly boost compounding
● Other budget updates affecting portfolios, including capital gains tax exclusions and offshore investing allowances
Whether you're investing monthly, planning a lump sum contribution, or reviewing your long-term financial strategy, this episode explores practical steps you can take now to stay on track and maximise the new allowances.

00:00 Introduction
01:30 Why does the new tax year matter for investors?
02:45 Big changes from the 2026 Budget Speech
04:00 The new tax-free savings annual limit
06:55 The new retirement fund deduction cap
10:50 2026 tax updates that could affect how portfolios are structured
11:30 How does the 2026 Budget affect offshore investing?
12:40 Tax optimisation tips for the 2026 Budget
14:00 Practical tips for dealing with the 2026 Budget
16:00 Monthly vs lump sum contributions to your tax-free savings account
18:00 Conclusion