VAT Regulations dealing with the supply of electronic services
Since 2015, foreign suppliers of electronic services (such as audio-visual content, e-books etc.) in South Africa are deemed to operate an enterprise for VAT locally. Although the regime has been in place for several years, new regulations in this regard are continuously published, the latest being on 18 March 2019, with an effective date of […]
DEPRECIATION VS WEAR & TEAR
Deterioration, obsolescence and wear and tear are among the reasons why assets decrease in value. By realising a deduction on depreciation for tax purposes, your company can recover the costs of certain moveable assets that are used in the production of income. Generally, businesses won’t be able to make use of assets like heavy machinery […]
SARS SCAMS
Education and awareness around identity theft, phishing and other frauds have become part of life globally. If nothing else, scamsters are innovative and keep trying new avenues of defrauding businesses and individuals. In South Africa, this is no exception, and there has been a rise in the number of scams where persons pretend to be […]
FORM REQUIREMENTS FOR OBJECTIONS
Dispute resolution with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) generally has a two-pronged approach. Firstly, taxpayers must present their case on the merits – this will include the factual basis and background that has led to the dispute. Secondly, and equally important (if not more so), is the procedural process. This deals with timeframes, form […]
NON-RESIDENT SELLERS OF IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
Section 35A of the Income Tax Act[1] came into effect on 1 September 2007 and sets out the capital gains tax consequences of the sale of immovable property situated in South Africa in instances where the seller is not a South African tax resident. In terms of these provisions, the purchaser of the immovable property […]
ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO INCOME TAX RETURNS FOR TRUSTS
The South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) implemented several changes to the income tax returns for trusts (the ITR12T) on 17 September 2018. These changes are in addition to the changes already made on 26 February 2018. The September 2018 changes apply in respect of the year of assessment ending on 28 February 2018. Taxpayers that […]
CHANGES TO BAD DEBT ALLOWANCE
Most South African businesses are at some point in time exposed to credit risk in the form of bad debts. Although taxpayers would undoubtedly prefer to recover the debts, the Income Tax Act[1] provides for some relief in cases where debts have become bad, or doubtful. Not only does section 11(a) provide for the deduction […]
CUSTOMS FOR INDIVIDUALS TRAVELLING ABROAD AND RETURNING TO SOUTH AFRICA
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) recently published a media release to clarify the confusion about the customs requirements for South African travellers returning from abroad regarding their personal effects (such as laptops and other electronic equipment). The confusion stems from various media reports on the inconsistent treatment of returning travellers by customs officials, some […]