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No Endgame: SARS stalemates taxpayers ceasing tax residency There may be a strange game of chess being played with taxpayers who are trying to cease their South African tax residency, with the result of keeping them “trapped” as tax residents for no legitimate reason. READ MORE Featured in “We have seen this often and especially […]

South Africa welcomes foreign property investment despite widespread global restrictions In the midst of growing international restrictions on foreign property investors, South Africa remains a welcoming haven to these buyers. Victoria LancefieldDirector of Expatriate Tax and Banking Engagement Marisa JacobsManaging Director READ MORE Featured in “Foreign investors can enjoy greater freedom to purchase a wider

SARS FOCUSES ON INTERNATIONAL TAX WITH 52 FRESH VACANCIES AHEAD OF BUDGET SPEECH​ In the lead up to South Africa’s budget speech in February 2023, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the addition of 52 new vacancies to its staff. The positions listed all hint to new changes which may affect expats living

The Importance Of An Exit Roadmap And Financial Strategy When Emigrating With the ongoing global skills shortage and South Africans being highly sort after, many individuals are choosing to Financially Emigrate with the aim of starting a life abroad. However, this decision should not be taken lightly and requires a well thought-out road map and

YOUR SOUTH AFRICAN RETIREMENT SAVINGS AND THEIR TAX IMPLICATIONS The National Treasury and SARS have introduced many changes to the treatment of South African retirement vehicles which have often resulted in adverse tax implications and penalties for early withdrawals, or strict rules and regulations applied. The aim of this was to incentivise South Africans to

VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE ENCOURAGED BY SARS In a media statement dated 30 November 2022, the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) stated that they are encouraging all taxpayers who may be in default on their tax affairs to approach SARS via the Voluntary Disclosure Programme (“VDP”). By coming forward willingly, said taxpayers will receive the help and

SARS’ Sherlock Holmes approach to foreign income The number of South Africans earning income abroad has continuously been on the rise. The majority percentage of the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) tax collections have also consistently been from personal income. These two factors combined, in the context of our residency-based tax system, has massively piqued

Flying towards a tax saving DOUBLE TAX AGREEMENT OR FINANCIAL EMIGRATION? Having visited over 12 international locations in 2022, and engaging with South African expatriates, we can attest to a recent report issued by the United Nations which found that around 900 000 South Africans are already living and working overseas – and indeed, this may

PERFORMING A TAX DIAGNOSTIC DOES NOT TRIGGER A REACTION FROM SARS What is a Tax Diagnostic Report? A tax diagnostic can be thought of as a thorough examination of your historic tax matters on your SARS profile that will give a comprehensive overview of your tax standing, history and current state of tax compliance. This

Who Why and How – Backdating Your Financial Emigration South Africa is a tax resident system. Tax residents of South Africa are taxed on worldwide income and South African sourced income.With the full foreign income exemption being capped in March 2020, it is more important than ever for expats, with a permanent intent to reside