South Africa identified protected area expansion as a key tool to ensuring the persistence of its biodiversity and ecosystems essential for its people and economy. Approximately 75% of South Africa is held in private ownership. Landowners bear the responsibility of managing protected areas and face financial commitments as a result. The Fiscal Benefits Project was launched to test biodiversity tax incentives as a financial benefit for landowners declaring protected areas. This began with the introduction of a new tax incentive into legislation. The impact of the incentive was tested at pilot sites across the country, resulting in the successful inclusion of the tax break in a tax return. This has paved the way for other privately owned protected areas to receive financial recognition and ensure the continued governance and management of South Africa’s protected areas, utilising building blocks of policy and grassroots engagement, niche expertise and a supportive community of practice.