Latest News

November 15, 2024

How to Wind Up a Deceased Estate

Winding up an estate in South Africa is a meticulous process governed by the Administration of Estates Act 66 of 1965. It involves the collection and […]
October 11, 2024

Is a logbook really necessary?

Or can SARS use code 3702 to audit potential business kilometres travelled? I have often wondered whether SARS officials thoroughly review the submitted logbooks when taxpayers […]
July 13, 2024

Travel claims, but no allowance?

For commission-earners and the self-employed, the rules are slightly different—but travel costs can be claimed. The mistake that I make when writing articles about travel allowances […]
July 13, 2024

Pension funds and emigration

Investing in an offshore retirement fund is one way of growing your wealth in a stable economy over the longer term, or even gaining residency in […]
July 13, 2024

What to do if you owe SARS money

Owing money to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) can be stressful, but don’t panic. By understanding your options and taking prompt action, you can resolve […]
March 25, 2024

Maximising Wealth, Minimising Tax

A comparative look at retirement annuities versus tax-free savings accounts. When it comes to personal finance, every individual has different needs, dreams and financial goals, as […]
March 25, 2024

The Business of Business Travel

Business travel means different things to SARS than to taxpayers. While it has been compulsory for recipients of travel allowances to substantiate their claims by means […]
March 25, 2024

Paying Salaries: What Can Go Wrong?

South African businesses face unique payroll challenges. From strict regulatory requirements to the specific needs of a diverse workforce, managing payroll requires precision, understanding, and the […]
January 25, 2024

Don’t lose that tax loss!

Sustaining losses on certain activities, blissfully assuming that SARS will chip in at year-end? Make sure that this loss is not ‘lost’ forever. Many people have […]
January 25, 2024

From departure to encashment

The much-anticipated two-pot retirement system, introduced as a ‘knight in shining armour’ for South Africans, has received a new implementation date of March 2024. Expats are cautioned to pay attention to the effects that this will have on the encashment of their retirement savings.
January 25, 2024

Ring-fencing trading losses

SECTION 20 of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 deals with the set-off of losses from a trade against other income.  In general, such set-off is allowed (see sub-paragraph (1)(b)), provided that the loss is incurred in the taxpayer’s own name (i.e. not in a company, CC, or trust).  The loss must also have been incurred with-in the Republic of South Africa to qualify for set-off.
January 25, 2024

Beware of tax-related scams

Over the past five years, the SAFPS has seen a steady increase in the number of tax-related scams. Improved efficiency To improve efficiency when it comes […]
January 25, 2024

General principles for tax deductions

When can you deduct an expense?  Section 11(a) contains the general principles. One of the most-asked tax questions goes along the lines of “can I deduct […]
October 25, 2023

Investing in physical assets

Slow-and-steady returns for patient investors After a period of low-interest rates, coupled with the printing of money in the world’s largest economies (such as the US […]
September 5, 2023

Renewable energy tax incentives.

Government is encouraging investment in renewable energy—but as always, there are caveats While this year’s Budget was largely devoid of surprises, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana made […]
July 19, 2023

How to evaluate investment opportunities

A rewarding investment begins with a thorough evaluation. Understanding how to evaluate investment opportunities enables you to safeguard your financial future. It’s not just about spotting […]
March 23, 2023

Accounting tips for small businesses

When operating a small business, there are so many important daily tasks to remember—especially if you are also the business owner.  Your day is most likely […]
March 3, 2023

Maximising your dividend income

You could improve your return by selling the share instead of waiting for the dividend payout—but there are caveats. I was recently asked an interesting question […]
March 3, 2023

How SARS catches tax-dodgers

SARS auditors employ methods that most people wouldn’t have even considered How does the South African Revenue Service (SARS) catch those who do not contribute their […]
February 6, 2023

10 Tips for embracing change in 2023

How to overcome ‘change fatigue’ and create a winning working environment. Let’s be honest—we’re all tired. The truth is that fatigue is a very common feeling […]
January 10, 2023

VAT TREATMENT OF IRRECOVERABLE DEBTS

What happens to the VAT that was paid over to SARS? Vendors often provide goods or services to clients on credit. In the current economic climate, […]
January 10, 2023

DIVIDENDS IN TRADING AND INVESTING

Dividend investing can be a solid strategy, so it’s worth knowing how dividends work. What is a dividend? A dividend is a payment made by a […]
November 28, 2022

RING-FENCING TRADING LOSSES

Top-rate taxpayers need to watch out for Section 20A. Section 20 of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 deals with the set-off of losses from […]
November 28, 2022

BANKING ON THE BANKS

SA’s major banks show a robust recovery, delivering strong financial performance despite complex conditions. Trading conditions in South Africa began 2022 with momentum, as the first […]
November 28, 2022

BEWARE THE ‘IDES OF SARS’

“A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March”. These famous Shakespearean words forewarning the misfortune of Roman emperor Julius Caesar (which Caesar ultimately ignored and […]
October 24, 2022

HOW TRUSTS PRESERVE GENERATIONAL WEALTH

The estate duty savings are compounded over several generations. Articles on trusts are often aimed at settlors or donors to highlight the benefit of trusts and […]
October 24, 2022

WHEN SARS REQUESTS SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

E-filing doesn’t allow ‘secured’ or password-protected documents to be uploaded—but there is a solution. Following SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s announcement that he intends to rebuild SARS’ […]
July 7, 2022

TAX COSTS OF BARTER TRANSACTIONS

Barter transactions are commonplace in today’s commercial environment. Parties exchange goods or services without a cash transaction underpinning it. The question is, “What happens when I sell the asset […]
July 7, 2022

HOME OFFICE EXPENDITURE

Taxpayers who are salaried employees have limited deductions available to them. However, home office expenditure can be claimed as an income tax deduction, but the onus […]
June 7, 2022

WEAR-AND-TEAR ALLOWANCE

Capital expenditure incurred in the production of income and in carrying on of a trade does not qualify for a deduction under the so-called general deduction […]
May 10, 2022

EMPLOYEE SHARE INCENTIVE SCHEMES

Employer companies generally implement employee share incentive schemes to retain and incentivise their employees by enabling the latter to receive indirect benefits from the appreciation in […]
May 10, 2022

PAYE AND NON-RESIDENTS

Employment income is generally taxed where the services are physically exercised. The place of contract conclusion, where the employer is based and where the remuneration is […]
April 8, 2022

IS YOUR DISCLOSURE “VOLUNTARY”?

In December 2021, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) handed down a judgment dismissing an appeal against a decision of the Tax Court. The issue before […]
March 15, 2022

ACCESS THE MARKET ABROAD AS A DTMC

In 2013, the South African government introduced the Domestic Treasury Management Company (DTMC) regime to allow South African companies that are registered with the Financial Surveillance Department […]
March 15, 2022

BUDGET 2022: DETAILS START TO EMERGE

The annual National Budget Speech was delivered on 23 February 2022 by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Practitioners are getting to grips with some of the more […]

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