Tax

“Paying yourself isn’t selfish, it’s sustainable. The goal is to strike a balance that supports your personal life without compromising the growth of your company.”  (Salim Omar, CPA and serial entrepreneur) Many founders see skipping their own salary as a noble way to fund growth. In reality, underpaying yourself often…

“He said that there was death and taxes, and taxes were worse, because at least death didn’t happen to you every year.” (Terry Pratchett) In SARS jargon, a ‘systemic issue’ is the underlying cause of a complaint that affects many taxpayers. These systemic issues may have to do with the…

“Transactions or speculation in crypto assets are subject to the general principles of South African tax law and taxed accordingly.” (SARS) A staggering 5.8 million South Africans hold a crypto asset, with Southern Africa boasting the largest uptake of Bitcoin in the world.  SARS has not failed to notice the…

“We accept the responsibility to achieve the 2025/26 revenue estimate presented by the Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana.” (SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter) Removing the contentious proposed VAT increases from Budget 3.0 led to a shortfall in revenue that necessitated new revenue sources.  One of these is the inflation-linked fuel levy…

“The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall.” (Denis Healey, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer) The line between tax avoidance and tax evasion can sometimes appear blurry, especially in complex transactions or fierce tax planning strategies. The comparison below is a good starting…

“Trust the young people; trust this generation’s innovation. They’re making things, changing innovation every day.” (Jack Ma, Co-Founder Alibaba Group) South African businesses are always looking for ways to foster growth and innovation while still reducing costs.    One way to achieve both is to employ young people. Young workers…

“A tax professional is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.” (Carl Ally, adapted from a quote about architects) With tax compliance scrutiny intensifying and SARS increasing its detection capabilities with “the latest technology, artificial intelligence, and data science”, South African…

“When taxpayers are aggrieved by an assessment or a decision that is subject to objection and appeal, they have a right to dispute it.” (SARS) As a taxpayer in South Africa, you have the right to dispute tax assessments, if you have valid reason to disagree with SARS on the…

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” (Antoine De Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince) Want to start a business? SARS warns you to be aware of the tax obligations of running a business, whether it’s in the form of a legal entity or in your personal capacity. …