Tax

“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. …

“If you can laugh together, you can work together” (Robert Orben) There’s no requirement or obligation for companies to host a year-end party for employees, clients or suppliers. This is true even if there’s a company tradition of an end-of-year bash, or where there may be expectations of a year-end…

“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…

“Over the next few years, we are also implementing a global minimum corporate tax to limit the negative effects of tax competition.” (Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance, Budget 2024) There have been significant shifts in the corporate income tax landscape in South Africa and globally. Recent trends noted by the…

“…it is vital that all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem, including the taxpayers, SARS, and the banks, work together to prevent and combat profile hijacking.” (SARS) The recent spike in the number of SARS eFiling profiles being hacked by cybercriminals should raise red flags for every taxpayer. It’s got so…

“The two-pot system is meant to support long-term retirement savings while offering flexibility to help fund members in financial distress.” (National Treasury) With two new pots added to what used to be the one-pot South African retirement system, fund members can now access a portion of their retirement savings before…

“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” (Albert Einstein)  Tax rebates, deductions and incentives provide relief to taxpayers by reducing the amount of tax payable to SARS, resulting in welcome tax savings. But how do you figure out which rebates, deductions or incentives apply to…