SARS efiling identity theft
It has been communicated to SAICA members over the last few weeks that there appears to be an increasing incidence of cases where certain individuals are defrauding the South African Revenue Services (SARS).The fraud involves using taxpayer eFiling profiles to create fictitious refunds or divert actual refunds. The former is done by submitting fictitious returns […]
What Happens When Debt is Waived?
Many natural persons or trust shareholders in companies are confronted with the unintended tax consequences of owing an amount on a loan account to the company in which they hold those shares. These tax consequences specifically relate to the “deemed dividend” which arises on interest-free loans (related to so-called “debit loans” in companies). In many cases, there is no intention to ever repay the […]
TECHNOLOGY AND ITS IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL WORLD
Accounting has moved from pen and paper to the cloud, monthly payments can be done through online banking apps, and big purchases like houses and other property can be completed using cryptocurrency. For a business to be successful, it is important that is keeps up with the tech and digital world, which has shown financial […]
TIME VALUE OF MONEY – HISTORICAL TAX RATES
It has often been said that inflation is the destroyer of wealth. To put this statement into a tax perspective, it is interesting to have a look back at historical rates of tax and related interest rates. It is, of course, true that earnings have also increased over the years, but it is nevertheless interesting […]
FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT INCOME: TAXATION
South Africa has a residence-based tax system, which means residents are taxed on their worldwide income, regardless of where that income was earned. South African tax residents living overseas and earning remuneration in respect of services rendered outside of South Africa are exempt from tax in South Africa, provided that the individual is outside of […]
VALUE-ADDED REMARKS ON VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT)
VAT is an integral part of our economic society and is something that influences everyone, especially businesses in South Africa. In this article, we will discuss a few do’s and don’ts regarding VAT. Valid tax invoices In South Africa’s current tax system, vendors that are registered for VAT are allowed a deduction for the tax […]
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 […]
TAX DEDUCTIONS AGAINST SALARY EARNINGS
Our clients who earn only a salary will know that very few tax deductions are available against salary income for income tax purposes and whereby they may reduce the taxable income derived ultimately from such remunerations. Section 23(m) of the Income Tax Act[1] provides that none of the deductions ordinarily available to taxpayers in terms […]
2018 TAX SEASON: SARS SHORTENS SUBMISSION PERIOD
The annual tax filing season is upon us and acting SARS Commissioner, Mark Kingon, announced that the season will open on 1 July 2018 for eFilers. SARS branches will assist taxpayers from 2 July 2018. The filing season will then end on 31 October. To improve efficiency, the season will be shortened by three weeks, […]
VAT RATE INCREASE FROM 14% TO 15% – HOW TO COMPLETE THE VAT201
The Minister of Finance announced a VAT rate increase from 14% to 15% effective 1 April 2018 in the 2018 Budget Speech. To assist you in preparing your VAT return (VAT201) submission, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) would like to bring the following to your attention: The new tax fraction applicable from 1 April 2018 […]