“In terms of the Tax Administration Act, the accused is obliged to submit tax returns for assessment by a specific return date. The accused failed to submit 4 Personal Income Tax returns. Now, therefore the accused is guilty on 4 counts of failure to submit a Personal Income Tax return.” Mbalenhle Mahlaba Expatriate Tax Specialist…
Many South Africans living abroad do not realise that outdated contact information such as old mobile numbers or inactive email addresses on the South African Revenue Service (SARS) system, can block access to their eFiling profile, often with serious consequences. Alex Mahundla SARS Compliance Specialist Without access, you risk missing submission deadlines, critical login One-Time…
According to the 2025 Henley Private Wealth Migration Report, South Africa is projected to lose approximately 250 dollar-millionaires this year alone. Despite this continued outward migration of high-income individuals, the number of taxpayers formally ceasing tax residency with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to protect their worldwide income from local taxation, appears to be…
With the 2025 annual tax filing season deadline fast approaching, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has quickly tightened its verification processes for taxpayers requesting to update their tax residency status to that of non-resident on a more urgent basis than they would have liked. John-Paul Fraser Team Lead: Cross-Border Taxation Bronwyn Jacob Process Specialist:…
As South Africans seek new lives and opportunities abroad, many remain unaware that their tax obligations at home will continue to follow them until they formally cut tax ties with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Ceasing to be a South African tax resident with SARS is a critical step for expatriates who do not…
For many taxpayers, especially expatriates, managing South African tax obligations from a distance can be complicated. Years may pass without any direct interaction with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and key details like contact information, banking details, and tax number status often become outdated. These issues should not be left by the wayside. It…
South Africans who have worked abroad and accumulated foreign retirement funds, or foreign nationals who become South African tax residents, need to urgently be aware that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) now wants taxing rights on their foreign retirement funds. This proposed amendment is set to come into effect on 1 March 2026. Retirement…
On 28 July 2025 the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued another notice specifically aimed at South Africans abroad concerning their tax residency status. It deals with how an individual who is a non-resident taxpayer on the SARS system, should complete their tax return this filing season. While SARS announced enhancements to this year’s ITR12…
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is not beating around the bush with sharpening its focus on South African expatriate taxpayers as part of efforts to curb non-compliance that contributes to billions in lost tax revenue annually. Recent enhancements to SARS’ systems and record-keeping around tax residency status, send a clear message to South Africans…
For South African residents and expatriates living abroad, reaching the R1 million annual limit of offshore spending allowed under exchange control regulations, can happen far more quickly than expected. This can soon land them in hot water with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) who closely monitors funds flowing out of South Africa. While traditional…
Planning to Emigrate in the New Year? Start Preparing Now Before the Festive-Season Slowdown Hits10/12/2025 - 14:12