Tag: Tax Consulting SA

South African law requires any person who becomes liable for tax, whether income tax, VAT, or Capital Gains Tax, to register as a taxpayer with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). You must obtain a tax number. This unique identifier, issued by SARS, tracks and manages your tax obligations and compliance.

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.

As we step into 2026, there is no better time for taxpayers to gain clarity on their standing with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Many individuals assume their tax affairs are in perfect order. However, as the saying goes, assumption is the mother of all mistakes. When dealing with SARS, that mistake can become costly.

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.

Ahead of the peak holiday season, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a timely reminder to travellers. It urges everyone entering or leaving South Africa to use the SARS Online Traveller Declaration System. This step helps streamline processing at ports of entry.

At the end of October 2025, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) introduced significant changes to how cross-border income transfers are processed. These updates tighten compliance and strengthen the alignment between SARB and the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Under SARB’s new rules, no South African-sourced income may be transferred abroad until SARS verifies an individual’s non-resident tax status and overall tax compliance.

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.