
The ‘Silent’ Changes Affecting South Africans Who Are Emigrating
The transition from the old emigration regime to the current regime - ceasing of tax residency, came with some relief. However, there were some silent changes that went unnoticed. The most notable change has been the requirement of a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS PIN) for every capital transfer a Non-Resident/Non-Tax Resident makes to offshore....

Tax Residency Certificates: The Contentious Debate Amongst Expat Tax Advisors
For years the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) has been trying to amend legislation to affect the way that expatriates are taxed on their foreign earnings. Their relentless pursuit for tax compliance often directs them towards individuals who are not disclosing all their earnings. Recently SARS began requesting audits of those working offshore with more...

What Is Provisional Tax And When Do I Qualify For It?
During 2021, many South Africans were forced to start their own businesses to put food on the table, while others changed from traditional employees to contracted remote workers. Whether they retained a reduced salary or wholly embraced the responsibility of being an entrepreneur, it is important for these individuals to understand how the South African...

The Tax Implications Of Working Remotely
One of the most notable adjustments during the global lockdowns, has been the introduction of remote working policies for staff. While the world was in a pandemic-induced cocoon, companies and employers were forced to shift their operations online. They quickly realised that this could be done while employees work from the comfort of their homes....

SARS’ New Letters of Non-Residency – Hidden Teeth
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has recently started issuing letters to taxpayers working abroad, confirming their change in status to non-residents for tax purposes. This is a somewhat peculiar development for expatriates who have previously ceased their tax residency, as they are now requiring an additional step to objectively support their non-residency as issued...

SARS’ Tax Law Blunder Gives Expats A Quick Breather
Following deliberation with members of the public, National Treasury recently released its official response to the Parliamentary submissions on their proposed Draft Tax Bills. Among other things, Treasury noted that they would withdraw a controversial amendment that would have been problematic for South African expatriates contemplating emigration. Victoria Lancefield General Manager Financial Emigration Thomas Lo...

The Close Of The 2021 Filing Season – Don’t Be Caught Off Guard
The current tax filing season is almost at an end. Many taxpayers have submitted their annual return to the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”), while others are scampering to submit their returns before the 23 November 2021 deadline. Jashwin Baijoo Legal Manager: Africa Tax and Compliance Andre Daniels Legal Manager: Tax Controversy and Dispute Resolution...

Government Withdraws Proposal To Impose Exit Tax On Retirement Interests
Expatriates and those with plans to emigrate will be relieved to learn that the proposal to impose an exit tax on retirement interests will be withdrawn. In presenting their Draft Response Document on the 2021 Draft Tax Bills, National Treasury and SARS confirmed that the proposal will not be included in final Taxation Laws Amendment...

SARS And National Treasury Have Gone Quiet On Expats. What’s Brewing?
National Treasury’s latest published Draft Tax Bills incorporated the contentious additional “exit tax”, which proposed to tax retirement fund interests of individuals when they cease South African tax residency. Victoria Lancefield General Manager for Financial Emigration Various expatriates and stakeholders opposed the draft law bill during Virtual Parliamentary sessions in August this year. However, we...

Zero Hour: Expat Tax Returns Due This Filing Season
The past two years have been a journey into unchartered waters for all, and a particularly tense time as far as South African expatriates are concerned. For many expats, more and more questions have been left unanswered as this filing season, and the tax filing period draws to a close on 23 November. One thing,...
