Tag: Tax Consulting SA

Most employees break out into a cold sweat when they see the PAYE amount on their payslips, not to mention that they are petrified in trying to understand these calculations. With some basic professional training with practical examples, understanding the basics of tax can easily be learnt with basic arithmetic.

When it comes to non-compliance, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) takes no prisoners, and has the full backing of the presidency, in its drive to stop tax evasion and other fraudulent activities related to the fiscus, with President Cyril Ramaphosa praising the revenue authority’s efforts in tackling tax dodgers and those benefitting from criminal proceeds.

As the South African Revenue Service (SARS) intensifies its focus on the tax compliance of high net-worth individuals (HNWI), a self-governing island nation located in the Irish Sea has steadily emerged as an appealing emigration destination for prospective South African expatriates.

In a recent Tax Court Judgment handed down on 25 February 2022, the court found in favour of an unnamed taxpayer, admonishing South African Revenue Service (SARS) for their persistent disregard for the time limits prescribed in the rules promulgated under Section 103 of the Tax Administration Act, 28 of 2011 (the Rules).

The question of 'Selective Prosecution' has been asked since 2007 when the South African Revenue Service (SARS) started using lifestyle audits on private individuals. The selection basis, was the means of the individual, in contrast to their standard of living, and was conducted on individuals where there was a suspicion of criminal activity.

The Budget Review 2022 was far from a 'good news' budget for South Africans working abroad (expats). For the 5th consecutive year, there has been changes proposed that clearly indicate that SARS is still targeting expats and view them as low-hanging fruit to boost revenue collection.

The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, delivered the 2022 Budget to parliament. Discussed below are key highlights from the 2022 Budget Review:

Property practitioners, including estate agents, candidate estate agents, and property managing agents (the agents), have for years been regulated by the Estate Agency Affairs Act, 112 of 1976 (EAA). However, this is soon to change with the enactment of the Property Practitioners Act, 22 of 2019 (the Act), signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and with an effective commencement date of 01 February 2022.

The transition from the old emigration regime to the current regime - ceasing of tax residency, came with some relief. However, there were some silent changes that went unnoticed. The most notable change has been the requirement of a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS PIN) for every capital transfer a Non-Resident/Non-Tax Resident makes to offshore.

The President has given effect to the 2021 tax proposals by signing three tax Acts into law. On 14 January 2022, the President gave his assent to the Rates and Monetary Amounts and Amendment of Revenue Laws Act No. 19 of 2021 (Rates Act), the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No. 20 of 2021 (TLAA) and the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Act No. 21 of 2021 (TALAA). These Acts were promulgated on 19 January 2021.