Tax

“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. …

“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…