A bronze statue of blindfolded Lady Justice holding scales in one hand and a sword in the other, seated on a throne.

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plans to emigrate will be relieved to learn that the proposal to impose an exit tax on retirement interests will be withdrawn.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...
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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...
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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,...
Waving flag of Zambia with a green field, an orange African fish eagle, and vertical stripes of red, black, and orange.

Living The Zambian Dream – South Africa Hasn’t Forgotten About You

Many South Africans work and live in Zambia because it is a favourable mining, construction, and agricultural African destination. Some of these South Africans have either temporarily or permanently made the move to Zambia without following the correct emigration procedures to mitigate their tax exposure in South Africa. The general misconception is that when a...
A white sheep casts a howling wolf's shadow on a concrete wall, representing hidden danger or deception, like a 'tax wolf'.

Avoid Tax Wolves In Sheep’s Clothing: 6 Things To Look Out For

SIX THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR Post-Covid economic resurgence saw an increase in international work opportunities. With skills in hand, many South African professionals have become sought-after in other countries. As a result, their finances and subsequent taxation have come under scrutiny. However, along with the awareness of tax complications, another threat has emerged. Thomas...
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NEWS | CALM IN THE STORM: DTA’S PROVIDE QUIET RESPITE FOR EXPATS

The lockdown in South Africa followed shortly after the introduction of the expat tax limitation in section 10(1)(o)(ii) of the Income Tax Act. Previously, the foreign employment income of South Africans who spent more than 183 days outside of South Africa in a 12-month period, of which 60 were continuous, would be wholly exempt from...
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NEWS | FIVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT DOUBLE TAX AGREEMENT RELIEF

If a South African expatriate had to describe the year 2020 in one word, “uncertainty” would no doubt rank as one of the most appropriate. Even before the world was hauled into turmoil by the COVID-19 pandemic, South African expatriates were already faced with the many unknowns that would be ushered in by the “expat...
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NEWS | EXPATRIATE TAX FOR ROTATIONAL WORKERS AND SEAFARERS

Empty airport departure lounge with black seating, a view of planes on the tarmac, and reflections on the polished floor.

NEWS | WORKING FROM HOME: WHAT COVID-19 MEANS FOR TAXES ON EXPATS STUCK IN PLACE

Following the most recent presidential address, it is clear that South Africa’s borders are going to remain closed for non-essential travel, at least for the time being. This being among the plethora of commitments and measures put in place to prepare for the spread of the coronavirus and save lives. South Africa is not alone...
Miniature antique-style globe on a wooden stand, depicting historical maps of North and South America and the Pacific Ocean.

NEWS | SOUTH AFRICAN ROTATIONAL WORKERS IN AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST – NO SARS MERCY

Having just returned from visiting South Africans in remote locations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, one gains an appreciation for expatriates living in these locations. Some countries were not even accessible to us due to health and security reasons, such as Iran and Iraq, yet many...