Entries by Tax Consulting South Africa

New VAT Rules for Digital Services in South Africa: What Businesses Need to Know

On 14 March 2025, South Africa published a significant amendment to its VAT regulations on electronic services, set to take effect on 1 April 2025. This revision impacts foreign non-resident suppliers and local businesses relying on cross-border digital services. Notably, the amendment alters the definition of “electronic services” to exclude certain business-to-business (B2B) transactions from […]

Mining Giant Loses R17.5M Input VAT Battle Over ‘Entertainment Expenses’

A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling should deliver a stark warning to businesses claiming input VAT deductions without a watertight legal foundation. In Aveng Mining Shafts & Underground v CSARS (1192/2023) [2025] ZASCA 20, the SCA sided with SARS, disallowing almost R17.5 million in VAT input claims for employee accommodation and food expenses.

Budget 2025: South Africans Seeking Opportunities Abroad Now Have More Choices Under an Expanded Tax Treaty Network

The 2025 Budget had some good news about lessening the tax liabilities for South Africans seeking career, business and lifestyle opportunities abroad. Government’s intention to expand its tax treaty network and renegotiate some existing treaties to double taxation agreements (DTAs) is a welcome step, as these treaties are one of the key enablers for mobile […]

2025 Budget 2.0: The VAT increase is dead, long live the VAT increase

The shocks, surprises and shortfalls in the initial Budget that never saw the light of day on 19 February, made way for a reworked National Budget marked by cuts, compromises and curveballs. Although Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s first Budget attempt three weeks ago was unexpectedly stopped in its tracks, mainly because several partners in the […]