Taxation
Trusts Under the Spotlight as SARS’s 2026 Filing Season Gets Underway
With the 2026 Trust Filing Season having opened on 19 September, trustees are operating in an increasingly data-driven compliance environment. […]
VAT Modernisation: What SARS’s Proposed Digital Model Could Mean for Businesses
South Africa’s VAT system could be heading for a significant digital overhaul. In August 2026, SARS released its VAT Modernisation […]
Your Tax Deadlines for October 2026
07 October: PAYE submissions and payments 23 October: End of Personal Income Tax Filing Season 2026 for non-provisional taxpayers VAT […]
Can Business Entertainment Expenses Be Claimed Against Tax?
SARS has strict rules regarding entertainment expenses for both income tax deductions and VAT, and a claim for entertainment expenses […]
SARS Scams and eFiling Profile Hijacking: Taxpayers Beware
We are receiving more and more complaints, often from highly-distressed taxpayers, who are forwarding emails, SMSs and WhatsApp messages that […]
Transfer Pricing 2026
A practical guide to South African transfer pricing compliance in 2026 — related-party financing, management fees, customs valuation, and the […]
Review of the SA Economy and the Upcoming Municipal Elections
Let us start with the numbers that do not make it into the investor roadshow presentations. South Africa’s official unemployment […]
SARS Already Knows: The Third-Party Data Behind Your 2026 Tax Return
Long before a taxpayer opens eFiling, SARS has usually already received most of the numbers that will appear on the […]
SARS moves closer to a digital future for VAT administration
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has taken another significant step towards modernising VAT administration, releasing its VAT Modernisation Consultation […]
SARS highlights key tax updates for small businesses
SARS has released the August 2026 edition of its SMME Connect newsletter, highlighting a number of important tax compliance issues […]
Your Tax Deadlines for September 2026
07 September: PAYE submissions and payments 19 September: Start of Trust Filing Season 2026 25 September: VAT manual submissions and […]
SARS Moves Traveller Declarations Online
Anyone leaving or entering South Africa faces a new SARS requirement: an online declaration of goods, cash and other items […]
Cut Your Tax Bill: Rebates and Incentives Available This Tax Season
Wish you could pay less tax this 2026 tax season? Our tax team checks and applies every tax rebate and […]
Treasury publishes 2026 draft tax bills for public comment
National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service have released two draft bills containing the tax measures announced in South […]
Your Tax Deadlines for August 2026
07 August: PAYE submissions and payments 25 August: VAT manual submissions and payments 28 August: Excise duty payments 31 August: […]
Provisional Tax Time: First Payment for 2027 Tax Year Due 31 Aug
For individual provisional taxpayers and for companies with a February year-end, the end of August brings yet another tax deadline: […]
SARS Customs Goes Digital: What Importers and Travellers Need to Know
SARS is increasingly extending its digital compliance approach beyond income tax and into customs, travel and cross-border trade. Recent changes […]
Auto-assessments at SARS: convenience, but still requires verification
For the 2026 filing season, taxpayers selected for auto-assessment will receive notice between 1 and 12 July, before the broader […]
Your Tax Deadlines for July 2026
2026 Tax Season Opens: Experience the Power of Done
SARS's "The Power of Done" campaign promotes seamless, digital tax compliance for Tax Filing Season 2026. The season officially opens […]
SARS 2026 Filing Season: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When does the 2026 tax filing season start? The 2026 filing season begins with auto-assessments issued between 1 July and […]
SARS Tightens the Net: What 2026 Means for Taxpayers and Businesses
South Africa’s tax landscape is undergoing a significant shift as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) accelerates its move toward […]
Your Tax Deadlines for June 2026
05 June: PAYE submissions and payments 25 June: VAT manual submissions and payments 29 June: Excise duty payments 30 June: […]
Non-Compliant Trust? Penalties are Piling up…
This tax season marks an important shift for trusts, which are now subject to heightened reporting requirements, regardless of activity, […]
Nexia SAB&T drives the release of a VAT refund exceeding R50 million after escalation to High Court proceedings
VAT refunds are a statutory entitlement under South African tax law. Yet for many compliant businesses, particularly in capital‑intensive sectors, […]
Selling Your Business to Retire? Get This Tax Relief!
If you’re a small business owner aged 55 or older, the 2026 Budget contained some very good news. Not only […]
Annual Employee Tax Recon Due End May
The Annual Employer Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) remains a focus area for SARS. Employers have until the end of May to […]
Your Tax Deadlines for May 2026
07 May – PAYE submissions and payments 25 May – VAT manual submissions and payments 28 May – Excise duty […]
Your Tax Deadlines for April 2026
01 April: Start of the 2026/27 Financial Year 07 April: PAYE submissions and payments 24 April: VAT manual submissions and […]
15% Global Minimum Tax (GMT) Goes Live at SARS
The global minimum tax (GMT) – called an “agreement that will really change the world” – will be implemented in […]
New VAT Thresholds: Thinking of Deregistering?
The recent increases in the compulsory VAT registration threshold to R2.3 million and in the voluntary registration threshold to R120,000 […]
When Growth Is a Tax Problem
Growth feels like progress. Sales increase, staff numbers rise, and profit improves. Yet each of these shifts changes your tax […]
Appointment of New SARS Commissioner
Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu Appointed as New SARS Commissioner In a landmark move for South Africa’s tax administration, President Cyril […]
2026 Budget Speech: Tax Highlights
South Africa’s 2026 Budget Speech introduced a series of tax adjustments aimed at maintaining revenue stability while offering targeted relief […]
2026 Budget Speech: Fiscal Policy
South Africa’s 2026 Budget highlights government’s spending priorities over the medium term, emphasising the need to balance fiscal sustainability with […]
Your Tax Deadlines for March 2026
06 March – PAYE submissions and payments 25 March – VAT manual submissions and payments 30 March – Excise duty […]
Budget 2026: Your Tax Tables and Tax Calculator
Budget 2026 has brought long-overdue relief to taxpayers by not imposing VAT or income tax hikes and by adjusting the […]
Budget 2026: What it Means for You and Your Business
Taxpayers will enjoy long-awaited tax relief with much good news contained in the 2026 Budget. It scrapped the previously announced […]
Taxpayers Brace for a Tougher SARS in 2026
Taxpayers Brace for a Tougher SARS in 2026 South African taxpayers are heading into the new tax year with a […]
Your Tax Deadlines for February 2026
06 February – PAYE submissions and payments 25 February – VAT manual submissions and payments 26 February – Excise duty […]
February Provisional Tax Deadline: How to Avoid Stiff Underestimation Penalties
The second provisional tax deadline for the 2026 financial year is just days away on 27 February 2026. This is […]
Your Tax Deadlines for January 2026
07 January – PAYE submissions and payments 19 January – End of Filing Season 2025 for Provisional Taxpayers and End […]
ISA402: How to assess if services provided by a third party is considered a service organisation and when ISA 402.5 exemption applies
ISA 402 specifically excludes services provided by financial institutions that are limited to executing transactions specifically authorized by the entity […]
South African Revenue Service (SARS) updates
Tax Statistics and Revenue Performance SARS and National Treasury have released the 18th annual Tax Statistics bulletin, showing strong revenue […]
Your Tax Deadlines for December 2025
05 December – PAYE submissions and payments 24 December – VAT manual submissions and payments 30 December – Excise duty […]
Moving from Freelancer to Employer: The Complete Guide
Whatever your line of work, moving from solo-business or freelancer to taking on staff is a big choice usually prompted […]
Outstanding Tax Debt? SARS’ Expedited Debt Compromise Ends 31 December 2025
To offer taxpayers a way to settle outstanding tax debt swiftly and to regularise their tax affairs on more favourable […]
NPO? NGO? NPC? PBO? What’s the Difference Anyway?
Helping others should be the simplest thing in the world, but the truth is there’s a lot more red tape […]
Your Tax Deadlines for November 2025
07 November – PAYE submissions and payments 25 November – VAT manual submissions and payments 27 November – Excise duty […]
Surviving Trust Tax Season 2025 – And Beyond
Trust Tax Season 2025 opened in September and SARS has already issued reminders to trustees that all trusts, including those […]
Scam Alert: Beware of “Final Demand – Debt Management” Letter
Taxpayers should be alert to a rising phishing threat - fraudsters are sending out fake PDF letters with subjects such […]
SARS Expands Oversight of Crypto Transactions
South Africa’s tax authorities are preparing to implement new reporting standards that will bring cryptocurrency transactions squarely within the formal […]
Treasury Eyes Foreign Pensions: What It Means for Retirees
Recent proposals from the National Treasury suggest a major shift in how foreign pensions and retirement benefits are taxed in […]
VAT Modernisation SA: Guiding Businesses Through South Africa’s Real-Time VAT Transition
South Africa is on the path to a real-time VAT reporting system, with full implementation expected by 2028. This will […]
SARS Relief Possible for Taxpayers
A forthcoming legislative change could offer relief to South African taxpayers, but only under stringent conditions. Under the proposed amendments […]
Your Tax Deadlines for October 2025
07 October – Monthly Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) submissions and payments 20 October – End of Filing Season 2025 for Individual taxpayers […]
This Halloween, Stay Safe From eFiling Profile Hijackings
The dramatic rise of SARS eFiling profile hijackings is being investigated by the Tax Ombud as a possible SARS systemic […]
Your Tax Deadlines for September 2025
05 September – PAYE submissions and payments 25 September – VAT manual submissions and payments 29 September – Excise […]
Top Complaints Against SARS – And How We Help You Avoid Them
The most common complaints against SARS (unsurprisingly, delayed refunds are at Number 1) are referred to as ‘systemic issues’ because […]
National Treasury and SARB publish 2025 draft tax bills and regulations for comment
On 16 August 2025, National Treasury and SARS released the 2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB), Draft Tax Administration […]
Your Tax Deadlines for August 2025
07 August – PAYE submissions and payments 25 August – VAT manual submissions and payments 28 August – Excise duty […]
SARS’ Crypto Crackdown Intensifies with Dedicated Crypto Unit
Did you know that tax is payable on crypto asset transactions? SARS has intensified its focus on crypto asset trading […]
SARS Expands Auto-Assessment Program for 2025 Tax Season
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has launched its most ambitious auto-assessment initiative to date, marking a significant shift in […]
Your Tax Deadlines for July 2025
07 July – Monthly PAYE submissions and payments 25 July – Value Added Tax (VAT) manual submissions and payments 30 […]
How Funding Budget 3.0 Will Impact You: Project AmaBillions
The scrapping of the proposed VAT increase in Budget 3.0 resulted in a budget shortfall, necessitating alternative sources of funding. […]
The 2025 Tax Filing Season Opens on 7 July
The Tax Filing Season for the 2024/2025 year of assessment will officially open on 7 July 2025. Find out here […]
SARS Tax Case Sends Strong Message on Trust Accountability
A recent ruling by the Johannesburg Tax Court has sent a powerful warning to trustees, funders, and high-net-worth individuals: poor […]
SARS Launches 2025 Tax Season with Expanded Auto-Assessments and Compliance Focus
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially launched the 2025 tax season, introducing a streamlined filing process and reinforcing […]
Your Tax Deadlines for June 2025
06 June – PAYE submissions and payments 25 June – VAT manual submissions and payments 27 June – Excise duty […]
Budget 3.0: VAT Increase Out, Fuel Levy Hikes In
Last month’s Budget 3.0 withdrew the contentious proposed VAT changes. This resulted in inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for […]
Tax Avoidance vs Tax Evasion: Toeing the Line
There’s a thin line between tax avoidance, which is legal, and tax evasion, which is a tax crime. Every taxpayer, […]
Understanding the Tables of Interest Rates: What Taxpayers Need to Know
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) recently released updated Tables of Interest Rates, providing crucial information for individuals and businesses […]
2025 Budget Review: Key Updates
The Minister of Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana, has announced that the 2025 Budget Review will be re-tabled on Wednesday, 21 […]
Your Tax Deadlines for May 2025
07 May – PAYE submissions and payments 23 May – VAT manual submissions and payments 29 May – Excise duty […]
Mind The Tax Gap! Here’s How…
Increased funding allocated in Budget 2025 will enable SARS to zoom in on an estimated R800 billion in unpaid taxes […]
Increase of VAT
The recent proposal by the Minister of Finance to increase the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rate by 0.5% on 1 May […]
The Institute of Race Relations Report
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has recently unveiled a report that underscores the substantial financial burden imposed by Broad-Based […]
Your Tax Deadlines for April 2025
01 April – Start of the 2025/26 Financial Year 07 April - PAYE submissions and payments 25 April – VAT […]
Why Use a Registered Tax Practitioner? Here’s What SARS Says…
“Protect Yourself – Use Only Registered Tax Practitioners” was among the first messages from SARS this year. The message also […]
Budget 2025: Your Tax Tables and Tax Calculator
In its current form, Budget 2025 will effectively bring about an increase in personal income tax by not adjusting the […]
Budget 2025: How It Affects You and Your Business
The proposed VAT increase of 0.5% in 2025 and another 0.5% in 2026 is the big news from Budget Speech […]
Understanding the South African Budget Process: From Proposal to Parliamentary Ratification
The South African budget process is a meticulous and continuous cycle that ensures government spending aligns with the country's policy […]
South Africa Increases Carbon Tax to Combat Climate Change
In a significant move to bolster its climate change mitigation efforts, South Africa has announced an increase in its carbon […]
South Africa to Increase VAT Rate in 2025
In a significant move to boost revenue, the South African government has announced a two-phase increase in the Value Added […]
Review of the 2025 Budget Speech
The 2025 Budget Speech addressed the economic stagnation of the past decade, with GDP growth averaging less than 2%. In […]
Your Tax Deadlines for March 2025
07 March - PAYE submissions and payments 25 March – VAT manual submissions and payments 28 March – Excise duty […]
Disagree with SARS? Here’s How we Can Assist You
If you don’t agree with an assessment from SARS, swift action and careful management of the dispute process will maximise […]
Maximising Your Wealth: The SARS Foreign Investment Allowance
For South Africans looking to diversify their investments internationally, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) offers a useful tool - […]
Your Tax Deadlines for February 2025
07 February – Monthly PAYE submissions and payments 25 February – Value Added Tax (VAT) manual submissions and payments 27 […]
Budget 2025: The Minister of Finance Wants to Hear from You!
“Together, government and business can drive the messages that matter most, which are those of resilience, opportunity, and shared prosperity.” […]
Are You Ready for the Next Provisional Tax Deadline?
The second provisional tax deadline for the 2025 tax year is just days away (28 February 2025). It’s the trickiest […]
SARS Reports Over 2 Million Tax Directive Applications for Savings Withdrawals
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a significant milestone in the implementation of the two-pot system, with a […]
SARS Invites Public Input on 2025 Budget
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a call for public input on the upcoming 2025 Budget. Finance Minister […]
Your Tax Deadlines for January 2025
07 January - PAYE submissions and payments 20 January – End of Filing Season 2024 for Provisional taxpayers & Trusts […]
Starting a New Business? Here Are the Tax Implications…
Starting a new business isn’t just a challenging undertaking. It also comes with a list of tax liabilities and administrative […]
Tax Compliance in 2025: Help Is at Hand
SARS has warned that it will intensify and deepen its existing administrative efforts to drive taxpayer compliance, deploying more data […]
How to Obtain a Tax Directive from SARS
Obtaining a tax directive from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is a crucial step for employers, fund administrators, and […]
Your Tax Deadlines for December 2024
06 December - Monthly Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) submissions and payments 24 December - Value-Added Tax (VAT) manual submissions and payments 30 […]
Can You Afford to Work Overseas? How Double Taxation Agreements Work
If you live in one country and work in another, you may already be aware of the threat of double […]
To Host or Not To Host a Year-End Party?
Should your business host year-end functions for staff, clients and suppliers? While there’s no obligation to have an end of […]
