With the fast approaching 2019 tax season, taxpayers who have realised a capital gain in a foreign currency should take note of the special rules that apply to the translation of those gains to Rand. Generally, there are two ways
VAT regulations dealing with the supply of electronic services
Since 2015, foreign suppliers of electronic services (such as audio-visual content, e-books etc.) in South Africa are deemed to operate an enterprise for VAT locally. Although the regime has been in place for several years, new regulations in this regard
Transitional rules for interest payable by SARS
The South African income tax system is not cash-based. This means that a person can effectively be taxed on amounts that they have not yet received in cash, but that merely accrued to them within a year of assessment. Cash
Taxpayers’ right to have disputes resolved
In a recent Tax Court decision[1], the Tax Court confirmed that taxpayers have a right to have their disputes resolved in a court of law as enunciated in section 34 of the Constitution. However, they cannot rely on this right
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
Recent court case on the imposition of understatement penalties
The Supreme Court of Appeal (“ZASCA”) delivered a judgment[1] on 26 February 2019 on the imposition of understatement penalties as provided for in the Tax Administration Act[2]. In this case, the taxpayer paid provisional income tax (“IT”) of R13.8 million
Section 24 – credit agreements and debtors’ allowances
Section 24(1) of the Income Tax Act[1] deals with an agreement between a taxpayer and another person in respect of movable or immovable property. In the case of immovable property, the effect of the agreement must be that transfer of
Requests for suspension of payment from SARS
Since its introduction, the “pay now, argue later” rule relating to disputed amounts of tax has been and remains to be the subject of much controversy, and rightfully so. The basic premise is that even though you disagree with an
New filing requirements for insolvent taxpayers
The South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) has recently set out new procedures relating to the process around the filing of income tax returns relating to insolvency. The default position is that where the estate of a person is sequestrated, a
Form requirements for objections
Dispute resolution with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) generally has a two-pronged approach. Firstly, taxpayers must present their case on the merits – this will include the factual basis and background that has led to the dispute. Secondly, and equally