Tax ‘Tune-Up’ for 2024
Tweaks to help make your filing easier this year…and save some tax! “Time sure flies when you’re having fun”, so the old saying goes. The other day I was listening to Footloose being played over our local movie complex’s PA system, and it dawned on me that this Kenny Loggins classic will be 40 years […]
Don’t Lose That Tax Loss!
Sustaining losses on certain activities, blissfully assuming that SARS will chip in at year-end? Make sure that this loss is not ‘lost’ forever. Many people have invested in second properties based on the knowledge that, for the first few years at least, they would have to fund the shortfall until such time as the rents […]
Beware of Tax-Related Scams
Over the past five years, the SAFPS has seen a steady increase in the number of tax-related scams. Improved efficiency To improve efficiency when it comes to processing tax returns, and to encourage individuals and businesses to file their tax returns timeously, SARS launched its eFiling service in 2000. This allows taxpayers to file their […]
General Principles for Tax Deductions
When can you deduct an expense? Section 11(a) contains the general principles One of the most-asked tax questions goes along the lines of “can I deduct xxx against my income?” There are two ways to answer this type of question. One is to create a never-ending list of every type of deduction one could contemplate, […]
Tax Implications for Marriages in Community of Property
The default marriage regime has some complicated tax consequences. When couples are caught up in wedding and honeymoon planning, visiting their attorney often takes a backseat. Many couples don’t realise that different marital laws affect how their assets are managed during marriage, divided if it ends, and how they’re taxed. The different legal frameworks determine […]
When SARS Requests Supporting Documents
E-filing doesn’t allow ‘secured’ or password-protected documents to be uploaded—but there is a solution FOLLOWING SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s announcement that he intends to rebuild SARS’ enforcement capabilities as part of his quest to become the scourge of recalcitrant taxpayers, there has been a noticeable increase in requests from SARS for the submission of supporting […]
Renewable energy tax incentives
Government is encouraging investment in renewable energy—but as always, there are caveats While this year’s Budget was largely devoid of surprises, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana made one announcement that was widely anticipated following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation speech, and will hopefully help taxpayers alleviate some of the pain of dealing with loadshedding. […]
Ring-fencing trading losses
Top-rate taxpayers need to watch out for Section 20A SECTION 20 of the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 deals with the set-off of losses from a trade against other income. In general, such set-off is allowed (see sub-paragraph (1)(b)), provided that the loss is incurred in the taxpayer’s own name (i.e. not in a […]
Your PAYE obligations as an employer
As an employer, it is your responsibility to withhold tax from your employees’ salaries and remit it to SARS. Employee tax is a key component of the South African tax system and is the mechanism through which employers withhold and remit income tax on behalf of their employees. Commonly known as PAYE (which stands for […]
How trusts preserve generational wealth
The estate duty savings are compounded over several generations Articles on trusts are often aimed at settlors or donors to highlight the benefit of trusts and the role they play in estate planning at the ‘first-generation’ level. In this article, the author aims to illustrate to second-generation beneficiaries the effect of the decisions their parents […]