A tax is a compulsory financial charge imposed on a taxpayer by government in order to fund government spending and various public expenditures. 
A failure to pay, along with evasion of or resistance to taxation, is punishable by law.
In economic terms, taxation transfers wealth from households or businesses to the government.
Since January 2001, the south african tax system was changed to residence-based, meaning taxpayers residing in the country are taxed on their income irrespective of its source.
Central government revenues come primarily from income tax, value added tax and corporation tax.