"This Can't Be Right": Mzansi Reacts to Tax Clerk's Payslip With Postgraduate Qualification
- A tax clerk’s payslip with a postgraduate qualification sparked discussions about fair pay in South Africa
- Social media users debated whether higher education always translates to higher earnings
- The video prompted reflections on career choices, financial pressures, and professional expectations
- Briefly News spoke to Yethu, a tax practitioner, for clarity on why many South Africans feel overwhelmed by deductions on their payslips
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South Africans engaged in lively conversation after a video revealed a postgraduate tax clerk’s salary, questioning the value of qualifications and pay fairness.
Source: TikTok
On 27 February 2025, TikTok user @liferesetwithboni shared a video revealing the payslip of a Tax Clerk holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Taxation. The video showed that the employee worked at a mid-sized accounting firm with about 150 employees and only one year of experience, yet earned what many viewers considered an underwhelming salary for such a qualification. Boni, known for her salary reveal series, uploaded the clip to highlight transparency in career earnings and spark conversations around fair pay in South Africa. The video quickly became a talking point, prompting debates about whether higher education consistently translates into higher income in Mzansi.
The payslip displayed a basic salary of R8,000, with a total cost to the company of R9,631, leaving a net pay of just R6,636 after deductions. Viewers quickly noted that while the job was crucial in a corporate and taxation context, the income did not seem to reflect the effort, time, and investment needed to obtain a postgraduate qualification. The video, posted by user @liferesetwithboni, encouraged South Africans to consider the relationship between qualifications, job experience, and earnings, raising awareness about the cost-of-living pressures and the realities young professionals face. It highlighted that even educated professionals sometimes earn less than expected, prompting reflection about career choices and financial planning.
Career earnings spark nationwide debate
The post immediately gained attention, collecting thousands of comments and shares. Social media users expressed mixed emotions, from disappointment that the pay didn’t match the qualification, to humour about career expectations and financial realities in South Africa. The discussion also prompted other users to share their own experiences and compare salaries, turning the video into a wider conversation about fair compensation, transparency, and the value of qualifications in the current job market.
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Overall, the video resonated strongly with Mzansi, prompting reflection on the country’s job market and professional earnings. It reminded viewers that while education is important, it doesn’t always guarantee high pay, and that transparency around salaries can help people make informed decisions. The discussion continues, showing that salary reveals can spark meaningful debate about careers, financial literacy, and the balance between effort and reward in South Africa.
Yethu explained to Briefly News that the biggest reason take-home pay feels low is the combination of statutory deductions and how taxable income is calculated. She noted that PAYE often takes the largest portion, and many workers don’t realise how fringe benefits push them into higher taxable brackets. She said:
"The main reasons South Africans see large tax deductions on their payslips include PAYE, UIF, retirement contributions and employer-specific deductions. PAYE is the biggest for most employees."
She added that many employees underestimate how benefits from their employers affect their taxes. She said:
"PAYE is calculated using progressive tax brackets, and you’re also taxed on benefits like company cars, housing or medical aid subsidies because they increase your taxable income."
Yethu also shared practical advice for managing tax responsibilities more effectively, urging workers to understand their deductions and keep proper records. She said:
"Understand your taxable income, maximise legal deductions like retirement annuities and medical expenses, keep detailed records, and file your tax return on time to avoid penalties."
Source: TikTok
Here's what South Africans had to say
Cado said:
“I’m not surprised. They hire qualified staff, but they’re the lowest-paying companies. Get out of there!”
The Original Bobstar said:
“Don’t study taxation. There’s no demand and no scarcity.”
Dilnawaaz Khan commented:
“My nanny and domestic worker earn more without matric, plus she gets free breakfast and lunch, and goes home at 3 pm.”
Nthabiseng Tsotetsi said:
“Ngaze nga depressed. Translation: “I’m so depressed.”
Nelisa commented:
“Probably in Cape Town.”
Bee Kay said:
“ISkolo kodwa sona sinalo nje ilishwa esiza nalo. 😪 Sometimes I think we make a mistake by disclosing our education level; it’s like these companies want to prove a point. Translation: School feels like it comes with bad luck.”
Reggie commented:
“It looks like some companies are crime scenes nje. Translation: It looks like some companies are straight-up crime scenes.”
Lunga_xulu said:
“You had to pause. Kwayena awuyizwa kahle lento. 🤣🤣 Translation: You had to pause, even though you don’t seem to understand this thing properly.”
Check out the TikTok video below:
3 Other Briefly News stories related to payslips
- A content creator and career coach shared a physiotherapist’s pay slip, earning viral attention on social media.
- A woman from Georgia, United States, shared a picture of the payslip she created for her children.
- A tax consultant’s payslip sparked national debate after revealing earnings that shocked South Africans.
Source: Briefly News
