SARS’ AI-Enhanced Audit Capabilities Wreaking Havoc on Taxpayers
In a world slowly being taken over by AI, the South African Revenue Service has capitalised on this trend, enhancing their Audit capabilities to more than just a “quick count”, but rather proportions beyond anything previously thought possible! Imagine having historically filed all your tax returns on time, making good on your dues to SARS, […]
Choosing Your “A-Team” in Tax Debt Write-Off Negotiations – Protection of Legal Privilege
Stemming from SARS’ recent Revenue Result Announcement, and the pre-cursors of new compliance and collection initiatives over the last 5 years, Deferrals of Payment and Compromises of Tax Debt are all the market hype! Just the thought of being able to legally reduce your tax debts due to SARS, although sounding like a pipedream, […]
Tax Court Bullying Judgment Set-Aside and “court” status brought into question – Appeal Reignites Debate Over Lay Representation in the Tax Court
A recent tax dispute ruling has reignited the age-old debate over the right of appearance by a lay person in the Tax Court and whether the Tax Court falls within the ambit of a “court of law.” The High Court judgment in Poulter v CSARS (A88/2023) [2024] ZAWCHC 97 (2 April 2024) involved a taxpayer […]
“SARS + AI” vs “Your South African Tax”
The SARS Announcement on 02 April 2024, may look, for the untrained eye, like standard narrative. As a tax attorney in day-to-day practice, there are daily examples of very expensive tax mistakes. Tax practitioners and South African taxpayers are well advised to switch to a moment of seriousness; and take note of the following with […]
SARS Follows the Money – Targeting Big-Ticket Taxpayers and Their “Trusted Advisors”
SARS’ “Compliance Revenue Programme” make headlines off the back of the Revenue Results Announcement on 02 April 2024, raking in a whopping R293,7 billion! Even though the Announcement provided statistics upon statistics, the underlying message from Commissioner Kieswetter was clear – even with only 12 500 SARS employees, SARS will ensure to be “a catalyst to […]
SARS Commissioner vs Tax Practitioners: “Do your due diligence”.
During the April 2024 SARS Revenue Results Announcement Media Conference, the SARS Commissioner brought to light concerning observations regarding non-compliance and delinquent behaviour by tax practitioners. By drawing a direct correlation between non-compliant tax practitioners and their “clients [who] are equally delinquent,” his remarks underscored the critical importance for taxpayers to carefully assess the quality […]
SARS Wheels Against Eskom Corruption Turning Slowly, but Days are Numbered
Like all strategic movers, SARS has been biding its time in addressing corruption amidst South African SOEs, taking a few direct, or indirect shots here and there, and like a Grand Master, the Commissioner has made clear his end goal – the complete eradication of non-compliance.
Wealth Preservation and Residence by Investment for South Africans
For decades, the affluent South African has searched for ways to preserve their wealth, in such a way as to ensure their descendants do not have to start from the bottom as they did. This has in most instances, lead South Africans to explore offshore investment and insurance options, including the creation of offshore Trusts […]
Tax Residence Certificates for SA Expats: SARS’ way or the highway
Many South African (SA) expats already recognize that the Notice of Non-Resident Tax Status Letter (the letter) is their golden ticket to confirming their cessation of tax residency. A Tax Residence Certificate (TRC) from one’s new country of residence provides substantial evidence that one is now resident for tax purposes in their new country, aiding […]