Tax

“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…

Last month’s Budget 3.0 withdrew the contentious proposed VAT changes. This resulted in inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for petrol and 15c for diesel, from 4 June. Other tax proposals from March’s Budget – including static personal tax thresholds, reduced transfer duties, and sin tax increases – remain unchanged.…

“In 2025/26, SARS will focus on addressing the tax gap to improve revenue collection.” (National Treasury Budget Review) With additional funding from National Treasury, SARS will now be better positioned than ever to collect the estimated R800 billion in unpaid taxes which SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has identified as a…

“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…

“Death, taxes, and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.” (Margaret Mitchell) What is provisional tax? Provisional tax allows corporate and individual provisional taxpayers to pay their annual income tax in advance by making two or three payments during a tax year. The aim is to prevent…

“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. …

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” (Albert Einstein) With an increasing amount of business being conducted online, it’s perfectly possible to live in one country and earn an income in another. If you are conducting services for global corporations and earning foreign income in…