SARS’ Role In The Criminal Justice System

SARS is mandated through legislation to conduct a criminal investigation if it suspects tax fraud. Once it has been finalised, they register a formal complaint with the South African Police Services.

Is SARS Doing Selective Prosecution Of Tax Offenders?

On numerous occasions, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has warned that they will be taking on South African taxpayers who have been non-compliant.

Industry Survey Evidences The Immense Impact Of Proposed Retirement Fund Changes On South Africans Abroad

The Expatriate Petition Group (“EPG”), who has an active membership of 15,000 South Africans abroad, recently conducted a survey to contextualise the proposed retirement fund changes from the perspective of South African expatriates, specifically in light of other recent legislative amendments.

South Africans Abroad Take Note: Taxpayers With Outstanding Returns Summoned To Face Criminal Charges

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is issuing summonses to taxpayers with outstanding tax returns. The Commissioner for SARS, Edward Kieswetter, has promised that they will make life difficult for non-compliant taxpayers, a promise he has kept. Those who decided to ignore his words of caution may soon be summoned to appear in court on criminal […]

Start Planning Around The Additional Exit Tax Before It’s Too Late

On 28 July 2021, National Treasury and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) released the 2021 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, which will come into effect from March 2022.

Finance Industry Experts Left Scratching Their Heads About New Draft Tax Bill

It is not uncommon for National Treasury and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to propose, and subsequently gazette, amendments to the Income Tax Law. It’s also not unheard of that these draft tax law amendment bills will enjoy scrutiny by industry specialists. That is why draft tax bills are open for public comment. Once […]

Is The New Exit Tax Constitutional?

The 2021 Draft Tax Bills published proposed the introduction of a tax on the retirement interests of those who cease their South African Tax Residency. It means a new section will be inserted in the Income Tax Act that would take effect from 1 March 2022. The new Exit Tax may very well lead to […]

Tax Bills Propose Additional Exit Tax Under New Section 9HC

When ceasing their South African tax residency, taxpayers are subject to an ‘exit tax’ which forms part of the emigration process.

SARS System Enhancements Enforce Tax Compliance

Over the last couple of years, SARS has systematically increased their manpower to better orchestrate taxation processes, as well as their investigative procedures. They have also allocated R3 billion towards improving their technological and information-gathering infrastructure, which will aid in tightening the noose around individuals with undeclared foreign-earned income or cryptocurrency tax evaders.

Tax Bills Propose Additional Exit Tax On Emigrating South Africans

National Treasury published the latest Draft Tax Bills on 28 July 2021, which incorporate the tax proposals made in the 2021 Budget.