After an unprecedented postponement triggered by widespread disagreements within the GNU (Government of National Unity) regarding a proposed VAT increase, Finance Minister Godongwana presented the 2025/2026 National Budget Speech on 12 March 2025. Below is a summary of the tax-related changes: - VAT (Value Added Tax) Considering the impact of a VAT adjustment, VAT [...]
South Africa’s new two-pot retirement scheme was designed to give members some financial breathing room during tough times, without requiring them to resign to access their savings. In short, although it offers short-term financial relief, this withdrawal benefit should only be considered for emergencies and not change how you think about your retirement financial [...]
If you are a business owner, a trustee, or an individual earning income from any other source other than an IRP5, you should have submitted a First Provisional return (IRP6) for 2024 by the 29 February 2024. There are 3 return submissions for Provisional Tax, namely: - The First return which covered the estimated [...]
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced his budget speech on Wednesday 21st February 2024, that he hoped would alleviate immediate fiscal pressures. It was disappointing news for South Africa’s already struggling households to hear that the additional R15 billion needed to balance the budget, will come out of the pockets of individual taxpayers. To achieve [...]
With load shedding still firmly on the horizon, it was welcomed news in the recent Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, that the government is advocating for the solar panel tax incentive to be extended to batteries and inverters. Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, wants more businesses and households to opt for rooftop solar panels, but feels [...]
Last month, the South African Revenue Service implemented a welcomed change to the foreign investment and emigration tax clearance process for individuals transferring money abroad. These changes are essentially system enhancements to align the different tax clearance processes and make compliance easier. With official emigration having been phased out in 2021, SARS new tax [...]
As of April 1st 2018, VAT increased from 14% to 15% bringing with it the likelihood of a major administration headache for you and your business. The degree to which you will be affected will depend on whether you are a VAT vendor or not. What is a VAT vendor? You are a VAT [...]
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba delivered the budget speech today that has been described as responsible and balanced under the current circumstances and likely to put South Africa in a healthier fiscal position. Ratings agencies are also looking at it favorably however the budget isn’t without its surprises, namely the hike in VAT for the [...]
Important: As of 1st April 2018, VAT is now at 15% Most of us know that VAT stands for Value Added Tax and is currently levied at the standard rate of 14% in South Africa, but what exactly is this system and why is it in place? These are some of the questions we [...]
In our previous blog article titled ‘Retirement funds and tax’, we looked at tax implications while saving for retirement and the recent changes in legislation that allow you to save up to 27.5% of your taxable income when making retirement contributions. Retirement structure is based on three legs, namely exempt, exempt, and taxed. While [...]
Retirement planning is a long term commitment and for most of us, it entails a consistent monthly payment until you reach retirement age. Whether you are self-employed and contribute directly, or your employer is submitting payments on your behalf, these payments become part of life - or perceived as another expense at month-end - [...]
Thousands of South Africans leave the country each year to earn a better wage, enticed by the favorable remuneration packages being offered. Low tax rates or tax-free jurisdictions such as Dubai in the Middle East are strong magnets for South Africans where despite harsh conditions, long working hours and separation from their families, they [...]
