Claiming Foreign Tax Credits
Back in the day when I was still running my tax practice full-time, I was called upon by a client to assist with the tax and accounting treatment of taxes withheld by a foreign country from income earned in that country—in this particular case, Botswana. The client’s query centred on the following two issues: Claiming […]
Handling Payroll for Freelance Workers in South Africa
Managing payroll for freelance workers involves a few key points, including understanding legal requirements, setting clear payment structures, and using the right tools. Here’s a practical overview to help businesses handle freelance payroll effectively. Legal Obligations Freelancers are generally considered independent contractors, but businesses still have some legal responsibilities. 1. Tax Obligations Freelancers are responsible […]
Every contract has a tax consequence
When drafting a contract, ignoring tax will often be to your peril. Every single contract in terms of which money or property changes hands has tax consequences for the parties involved. These consequences have been plainly evident in cases where people bought their fixed property in a Close Corporation or private company, thinking that because […]
Tax and retrenchment: A potential minefield
Retrenchment can be extremely taxing … in more ways than one! Being retrenched is a traumatic experience regardless of your place on the corporate totem pole. However, the stakes tend to be higher for more senior employees not only in terms of the larger sums involved when it comes to separation packages, but also the […]
SARS’ “Lie Detector” tests
Are you fiddling your taxes? Here’s how SARS can catch you… In the old South Africa, the favourite national pastimes were braaivleis, rugby, and cheating on your tax returns. This was made easier by the fact that the Receiver of Revenue of old operated in an environment where no two offices even talked to one […]
To claim or not to claim—VAT, that is…
Some vehicles you cannot claim VAT on, some you can—and knowing the difference can save you a lot of money. When can you claim input VAT on a vehicle? Most businesses that are registered for VAT will be aware that you generally cannot claim input VAT on the purchase of a ‘motor car’ as defined […]
Compensation for losses: Which ‘hole’ is filled?
Many taxpayers assume that compensation for losses is of a capital nature. It depends… There are no hard and fast rules for determining whether a particular gain is of a capital or a revenue nature. Each case needs to be decided on its own facts. The distinction is important because of the lower effective rate […]
The tax treatment of relocation expenses
Transferring staff? There are tax implications for them … and for you! If your business has branches in different locations, one of the best ways of offering key staff opportunities for career growth is to allow them to relocate. Relocating an existing staff member who has come to know and understand your systems, procedures, and […]
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 to processing tax returns, and to encourage individuals and businesses to file their tax returns timeously, SARS launched its eFiling service in 2000. This allows taxpayers to file their […]
Unforeseen tax debt from crypto trading
Landing in a position of indebtedness to SARS can be quite a stressful journey on its own ─ but if you forget to leave room in your suitcase for the tax on your crypto profits or gains, the destination becomes all that more daunting. If you have engaged in crypto trading, even as a hobby, […]