Latest South African Emigration News & Tax Insights

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SARS Sharpens Scrutiny of Expatriate SA Tax Residents

02/07/2025

South African expatriates living and working abroad are firmly in the Tax Man’s sights. Recent enhancements clearly indicate the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is increasing its focus on the importance of expatriates legally confirming the basis on which they cease their tax residency status in South Africa to benefit from a reduced income tax...

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Coming Home? SARS Tightens Record-Keeping for Returning Expats

01/07/2025

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced enhancements to its record-keeping of taxpayers’ tax residency status this coming tax filing season, taking direct aim at returning South African expatriates. This move sends a clear message to expats who previously ceased tax residency that their re-entry into South Africa will now be closely monitored whilst...

Empty airport lounge with a large airplane visible through expansive windows, bathed in bright sunlight.

Leaving SA Does Not Abruptly End All One’s Dealings Here, But The Devil Is In The Detail

19/06/2025

It is not to say that all South Africans who have started a new life overseas - whether for an extended period or permanently – have or want to sever all ties with their country of birth. Many still have bank accounts and pension money in South Africa or may want to buy property here...

Three friends, a woman and two men, standing on a sandy beach next to a barbecue grill under a blue sky.

Do South African Expats Return Home for the Braais?

29/05/2025

The fact that several countries abroad do not let you have a braai whenever and wherever you want, is not on its own the reason why South African expats return home after many years abroad. But when added to factors like cultural differences, the lack of traditional support structures, and the high cost of living...

Hands exchanging a stack of US hundred-dollar bills. One hand has a gold ring, the other green glitter nail polish.

Project AmaBillions | Being abroad won’t save you from SARS’ collection efforts

21/05/2025

Being abroad won’t save you from SARS’ collection efforts As the upcoming tax filing season approaches, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is reportedly ramping up a major initiative aimed at recovering outstanding tax debt including from taxpayers living abroad. John-Paul Fraser Team Lead: Cross Border Taxation Mbalenhle Mahlaba Expatriate Tax Specialist Dubbed by insiders...

Hands holding a glass jar labeled 'SAVING' full of euro coins, with banknotes and loose coins on a table.

Expats Among Millions of South Africans Tapping into Two Pot-Windfall

10/05/2025

Only two months into the new tax year, many South Africans have again dipped into their retirement fund Savings Pot, after also making a withdrawal in the previous six months. John-Paul Fraser Team Lead: Cross Border Taxation Retirement fund administrators represented on the Retirement Matters Committee of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA), reported...

Close-up of a person's hands using a calculator and dropping a coin into a jar full of coins on a white table.

Important Tax Directive Updates from SARS will impact expats’ withdrawal of retirement interests

12/04/2025

On 8 April 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced a set of updates on tax directive system changes which will impact South Africans who have already left the country or are in the process of cutting tax ties. This will come into full force on 11 April 2025. John-Paul Fraser Team Lead: Cross...

Woman in white shirt and dark pants holding the handle of two stacked suitcases at an airport terminal.

Don’t be misled: No waiting period for SA expats who want to cease tax residency

25/03/2025

Many South African expatriates have unknowingly missed out on paying lower taxes in South Africa for years while living abroad, due to confusing or misguided advice that they must reside outside the country for a number of years before officially ceasing tax residency in South Africa. John-Paul Fraser Team Lead: Cross Border Taxation A South...

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Understanding South Africa’s Exit Tax and the Proposed Tax on Retirement Interests

25/03/2025

A misunderstanding of certain sections in the Income Tax Act has many South Africans who moved abroad and ceased tax residency, worried that they will also be liable to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on the withdrawal of their retirement funds, in addition to the tax levied as per SARS’ Tax Tables. Mbalenhle Mahlaba Expatriate...

Person's hand places a silver coin on a tall stack, symbolizing saving and financial growth.

Talk of a Wealth Tax in South Africa is just not going away

05/03/2025

The ever-present talk of imposing a wealth tax on South Africans as a source of revenue has resurfaced after National Treasury’s plan to collect an additional R58 billion mainly from higher VAT in the 2025/26 financial year, was stopped in its tracks with the postponement of the National Budget. Business Day quoted “senior officials aligned...

South African flag, toy airplane, and passport with a 2013 Mauritius visa stamp over a map of Southern Africa.

South Africa’s Financial Future in Limbo - Should You Exit Now?

01/03/2025

The initial disbelief and shock on the postponement of the 2025 Budget Speech may have made way for cooler heads and the hope that more deliberations will deliver better budget outcomes for vulnerable citizens and a platform for economic growth, but many South Africans are questioning whether now is the right time to move their...

Man speaking at a podium to an audience in a bright, modern conference room with large windows overlooking city buildings.

2025 Budget Speech: August House Adjourned – Is it time to make the move?

24/02/2025

The unexpected postponement of the 2025 Budget Speech is causing endless speculation as well as heightened unease and uncertainty among business owners, investors as well as South African taxpayers about what the immediate future holds. Maybe even more so for South African expatriates who have moved abroad and those considering relocating to another country, as...

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LATEST NEWS

SARS Sharpens Scrutiny of Expatriate SA Tax Residents

Coming Home? SARS Tightens Record-Keeping for Returning Expats

Leaving SA Does Not Abruptly End All One’s Dealings Here, But The Devil Is In The Detail

Do South African Expats Return Home for the Braais?

Project AmaBillions | Being abroad won’t save you from SARS’ collection efforts

Expats Among Millions of South Africans Tapping into Two Pot-Windfall

Important Tax Directive Updates from SARS will impact expats’ withdrawal of retirement interests

Don’t be misled: No waiting period for SA expats who want to cease tax residency

Understanding South Africa’s Exit Tax and the Proposed Tax on Retirement Interests

Talk of a Wealth Tax in South Africa is just not going away

South Africa’s Financial Future in Limbo - Should You Exit Now?

2025 Budget Speech: August House Adjourned – Is it time to make the move?

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