Dispute Frustrations – SARS suffers Motion sickness
A trend of increased delays and frustration with the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS’) dispute resolution process, are becoming apparent among taxpayers and tax practitioners alike.
An incorrect IRP5 could jeopardise foreign income, travel tax claims
Most individual taxpayers tend to only check their tax certificates (IRP5s) when something goes wrong after submitting their annual tax returns. In most instances, taxpayers will not be allowed deductions or exemptions if there are errors. According to tax commentators, the most common errors are due to incorrect use of source codes.
SARS Creates Tax Loopholes
When is a SARS Tax Court case win actually a loss for the fiscus? After the recent SARS court case, dealing with the taxable income of foreigners working in South Africa, it is hard to argue that no-one is working harder than SARS to create tax loopholes for expatriate employees. If anyone in SARS disagrees, […]
Another Reason to Submit your Tax Return
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has created some nervousness in the South African tax base by embarking on an initiative to criminally prosecute taxpayers who fail to submit their tax returns. Whilst the threat of a criminal record and a fine ought to serve as sufficient incentive to submit one’s return, it is perhaps […]
6 ways you can save with tax deductions
Tax filing season is officially open. And although Acting Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Mark Kingon has noted you don’t have to file a tax return if you earn less than R350 000 per year from a single source of income – and have no allowances – you may still choose to […]
Tech Giants Tax Avoidance hurts South Africa’s Media
South Africa’s plan to change its tax law to ensure digital companies such as Google and Facebook contribute to the government’s coffer could raise up to R4.4 billion a year. This is money that could give a life line to the ailing local media.
Tax Season 2017/18 Now Open: Important Hints For The Tax Filing Season
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced earlier this year that the 2017/18 tax filing season is to kick off on 1 July 2018, however, their e-filing system is already allowing submission of tax returns.
Why SARS Shortened the Filing Season and the Impact Thereof
We are one month away from the opening of ‘tax filing season’, however, this year things will be a bit different. Taxpayers will have until 31 October to submit their tax returns, which is three weeks shorter than usual and will increase efficiency according to acting SARS Commissioner, Mark Kingon.
Transfer Pricing – South African jurisprudence Breaks Ground
In Crookes Brothers Limited v CSARS, the first South African case dealing with transfer pricing adjustments, it was an unpolished contract that handed first blood to the Commissioner. In addition to marking a watershed moment from a South African transfer pricing perspective, this case serves a stern reminder of the importance of diligent contract drafting.
SARS’ new rule: Is travel compensation still worth the chase?
Which is better – company car or travel allowance? It’s a question that regularly plagues both employers and employees. “In light of new SARS requirements for travel reimbursements, it needs to be carefully revisited,” says Jerry Botha, Master Reward Specialist and Executive Committee member of the South African Reward Association (SARA).