SARS Non-Residency Verification Risk For Expats Filing 2024 Tax Returns

As a South African living abroad, you might assume that your tax affairs are in order. However, recent changes by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) require immediate attention to your non-resident tax status. Before submitting your 2024 tax return, it is crucial to ensure that your non-resident tax status is correctly aligned with SARS….

Navigating Last-Minute Changes for Expats: A Guide to the Two-Pot Retirement System

Proposed amendments to the Income Tax Act concerning the two-pot retirement system, were announced by Treasury on 1 August 2024. Coming just a month before the system’s scheduled implementation, these changes have introduced additional considerations for those South Africans living abroad. Expatriates must take note of the amendments which may affect their ability to access…

Maintaining South African Bank Accounts and Financial Ties After Emigration

Exchange Control Perplexity South Africans who have taken the leap to finalise their cessation of tax residency often overlook the banking regulations and financial consequences that may follow. Understanding these concepts is crucial to ensuring that you remain fully compliant as a non-resident taxpayer and will help you avoid setbacks when engaging with the financial…

National Health Insurance Impact Survey – Taxpayers Speak Up

President Ramaphosa’s signature to introduce National Health Insurance (NHI) on 15 May 2024 has been met with mixed reactions. The three elephants in the room are, who will foot the bill, will all doctors and healthcare workers now work directly for the government, and will all South Africans be forced to use government-quality healthcare? The…

Navigating South Africa’s NHI Bill: The Rise of Investment Migration for Health Security and Global Mobility

The approval of the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill in South Africa has sparked significant concern across various segments of the population. Medical professionals are apprehensive about potential mandates to work for the government, families with at-risk members fear for their loved ones’ care, and taxpayers are worried about the financial implications. These factors…

SARS eFiling False Alarm – No Need for a Return to South Africa

We have noted incorrect media coverage around South Africans abroad, which notes that to comply with “new” SARS obligations you need to be physically present in South Africa. It is then implied that this change on SARS eFiling then burdens taxpayers to fly all the way home. Nicolas Botha Tax Team Compliance & Processing Manager…

The High Stakes of South African Expat Retirement Planning

While planning and packing to move abroad may seem simple, many expatriates often wonder about what will happen to the fortune of their accumulated retirement funds. The questions on how to navigate the withdrawal of the different types of funds remain a difficult and confusing topic. Mbalenhle Mahlaba Consultant: Expatriate Tax As more expatriates plan…

“SARS + AI” vs “Your South African Tax”

The SARS Announcement on 02 April 2024, may look, for the untrained eye, like standard narrative. As a tax attorney in day-to-day practice, there are daily examples of very expensive tax mistakes. Tax practitioners and South African taxpayers are well advised to switch to a moment of seriousness; and take note of the following with…