Tag: South African Revenue Service (SARS)

In its relentless pursuit of tax compliance, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has launched a series of initiatives to streamline tax processes through automation enhancements. Specifically, these initiatives identify focus areas to strengthen detection, enforcement and voluntary compliance. As a result, SARS has introduced SARS Modernisation 3.0.

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has delivered a judgment that reinforces SARS’ strict stance on understatement penalties and estimated assessments. The ruling confirms the South African Revenue Service (SARS)’s authority when taxpayers fail to provide accurate information. SCA confirms SARS’ firm approach to enforcement and compliance.

On 15 December 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued a media release reminding trustees and provisional taxpayers of the trust and provisional tax filing season. The filing deadline for trust income tax and provisional tax returns is 19 January 2026.

The matter of CSARS vs Africa Cash and Carry (Crown Mines) (Pty) Ltd and Another showed the importance of responsible tax-debt management within corporate groups. It also showed how the South African Revenue Service (SARS) assessed financial capacity.

With the South African Rand (ZAR) hovering at its strongest level since the start of 2025, at around R17.30 to the US dollar, many high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are enquiring about urgently moving funds offshore before year-end to take advantage of the currency’s current strength.

Many South Africans working from home are asking which home office expenses they can claim as tax deductible items. They also want to know how to claim them correctly. This question is especially relevant for the growing number of South African employees working remotely for global companies. Increasingly, these employees are turning to tax practitioners for guidance regarding home office tax claims.

For many taxpayers, especially expatriates, managing South African tax obligations from a distance can be complicated. Years may pass without any direct interaction with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). During that time, key details such as contact information, banking details and tax number status often become outdated.

South Africa’s tax base continues to evolve in striking ways. Recent South African Revenue Service (SARS) figures show a growing trend. The number of individuals registered for tax increased from 25.9 million in 2023 to 27.1 million in 2024. Yet, only 7.6 million of these individuals were expected to file a return.

A recent Gauteng High Court judgment has brought clarity on the interaction between consolidation orders under the Companies Act and the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) powers to raise tax assessments. In Prinsloo and Others N.O. vs CSARS and Another (020214-2023) [2025] ZAGPJHC (29 August 2025), the court quashed an attempt by liquidators to set aside SARS assessments against a Ponzi scheme.

National Treasury has proposed three major amendments affecting portfolios of Collective Investment Schemes (CISs) in the draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2025 (TLAB). The National Treasury’s vicious crackdown aims to close several tax loopholes and strengthen compliance within the CIS framework.