To successfully deduct an expense, there must be a link to earning taxable income. Section 11(a) of the Income Tax Act, the so-called ‘general deduction formula’, seems to have produced more court cases than virtually any other Section of the Act. And each time, the courts tell us the same thing: In order for you […]
Expenses Must Be Intended to Produce Taxable Income Read More »
Managing payroll for freelance workers involves a few key points, including understanding legal requirements, setting clear payment structures, and using the right tools. Here’s a practical overview to help businesses handle freelance payroll effectively. Legal Obligations Freelancers are generally considered independent contractors, but businesses still have some legal responsibilities. 1. Tax Obligations Freelancers are responsible
Handling Payroll for Freelance Workers in South Africa Read More »
Back in the day when I was still running my tax practice full-time, I was called upon by a client to assist with the tax and accounting treatment of taxes withheld by a foreign country from income earned in that country—in this particular case, Botswana. The client’s query centred on the following two issues: Claiming
Claiming Foreign Tax Credits Read More »
Under the amended legislative framework, members of a close corporation are now required to prepare annual financial statements (AFS) within six months after the financial year-end. This timeline was shortened from the previous nine-month period due to the incorporation of relevant provisions from the Companies Act into the Close Corporations Act 69 of 1984. Section
These common PAYE errors could cost you dearly with SARS. With SARS continually seeking to increase its revenues however it can, organisations with misconceptions about how certain payroll elements should be taxed may unknowingly be exposing themselves financially. We often come across the following top five payroll errors that organisations need to question and correct
Five Expensive Payroll Errors Read More »
Navigating the rules and regulations for short-term letting. With short-term letting and (more specifically) Airbnbs ramping up in South Africa, disgruntled owners and tenants are voicing their concerns when it comes to short-term letting properties contained in complexes, estates, and apartment blocks. While freehold property owners can act freely, sectional title property owners are bound
Airbnb and Sectional Title Regulations Read More »
Cybercrime is on the rise in South Africa, with phishing scams leading the way. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated by the day, using advanced AI and fake websites that closely resemble legitimate ones. Cybercriminals are exploiting the trust we place in well-known institutions, including the South African Revenue Service (SARS), to trick us into
The escalating threat of cybercrime: How to protect yourself from phishing scams Read More »
When an executor has been appointed by the Master through the issuance of Letters of Executorship, their primary duty is to finalise the administration of the estate as soon as possible. This includes taking control of the deceased estate assets, selling them if necessary to pay all estate liabilities, administration costs and estate duty (if
Sale of immovable property from a deceased estate Read More »
Retirement for small business owners is not simply a case of handing in your resignation letter and having a big party at which the company presents you with a gold watch. It often involves the not inconsiderable task of selling your business particularly if there is no ‘heir apparent’ to take over the reins. And
Capital Gains Tax considerations for retiring small business owners Read More »
Too often, taxpayers seem to forget that the most important aspect of dealing with SARS is to ensure that they can discharge their burden of proof. As a taxpayer, it is on you to provide SARS with the relevant material that, on a balance of probabilities, supports your position. Taxpayers are required to retain relevant
Mastering record keeping: How to meet SARS’s electronic documentation standards Read More »
