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Questions Asked By South African Expats Returning Home

There are many South Africans working abroad who have made the decision to return to their home country. For many, the pandemic was the roll of the dice that sealed their fates. For others, the idea of being far away from extended family was the drawing card that tugged at their heart strings. Regardless of...
Flags of South Africa and the Isle of Man flying together under a blue sky.

Isle Of Man Emerging As Territorial Forerunner Among SA Investor Expats

As the South African Revenue Service (SARS) intensifies its focus on the tax compliance of high net-worth individuals (HNWI), a self-governing island nation located in the Irish Sea has steadily emerged as an appealing emigration destination for prospective South African expatriates. HNWI’s targeted A longstanding trade, economic and financial partner to South Africa, the uptick...
Person in white shirt holding a blue binder with white documents, possibly related to tax or emigration compliance.

The Difference Between The SARS Non-Resident Confirmation Letter And The Emigration Tax Compliance Pin

SARS Non-Resident Tax Status Confirmation Letter SARS is now officially issuing confirmation of tax non-residency letters. The letter serves as an additional confirmation one’s non-tax residency, with pre-existing documentation having an expiration date and not always suffice in dealing with some tax non-resident matters. However, this has sparked some confusion amongst the South Africans working...
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Ceasing Your Tax Residency

Numerous South African taxpayers are unaware of their tax status in South Africa and what steps need to be taken to remain compliant with the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”). To add to this, there exist confusion and misconceptions surrounding expat tax where taxpayers are advised that they are compliant, but this is in most...
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Why Emigrating To The Netherlands Is Attractive To South Africans

With various countries closing their borders since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Netherlands has emerged as one of the new frontrunners as a destination for emigrating South African to further their careers. Not only is the Netherlands attractive in terms of their work / life balance, but the Dutch government offers enticing tax...
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#Budget2022 | South African Expats Remain Top Priority For SARS

The Budget Review 2022 was far from a “good news” budget for South Africans working abroad (“expats”). For the 5 th consecutive year, there has been changes proposed that clearly indicate that SARS is still targeting expats and view them as low-hanging fruit to boost revenue collection. Thomas Lobban Legal Manager Cross-Border Taxation Victoria Lancefield...
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10 Key Highlights from the 2022 Budget Speech

The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, delivered his maiden Budget Speech this afternoon. Discussed below are 10 key highlights from the 2022 Budget Review. 1. Tax rates have not been increased – Government refrained from increasing personal income tax rates. The Budget Review noted that increasing the top tax rates yields marginal returns. Therefore, rather...
A small paper house model perched on a tall, leaning stack of coins, symbolizing housing costs and property investment.

Tax Non-Residency And Property In South Africa

Tax Non-Residents can acquire and sell South African immovable property in South Africa as there are currently no restrictions prohibiting them from doing so. The only restriction is that illegal aliens may not own immovable property in South Africa. Lovemore Ndlovu SARS and Exchange Control Specialist Martin Bezuidenhout Expatriate Tax Attorney The various implications of...
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You Are No Longer Residing In South Africa, But Did You Let SARS Know?

South Africans working abroad seldom follow the correct procedures when it comes to matters pertaining to tax. Most of the concerns originate from the uncertainties surrounding the ceasing of their tax residency, with many not even sure what the term really means. With the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on high alert for non-compliant expats,...
Woman holding a small white model house in her hands, symbolizing home ownership or property.

3 Questions SA Expats Must Ask About Tax Residency

Access to current information has become the saving grace for expatriates. However, with the advent of social media platforms, came an accompanying surge of opportunistic advisors who unknowingly, and sometimes knowingly, mislead vulnerable expatriates in their quest for clarity, and in so doing, potentially harm their relationship with the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”). Thomas...