Your First Year of Self-Employment and Provisional Tax: The Mistakes That Generate Interest
Becoming self-employed changes the way you deal with tax. When you are employed, your employer deducts PAYE from your salary and pays it to SARS on your behalf. You receive your salary after tax, file an annual return, and usually do not have to think much more about it. Self-employment is different. You receive your […]
That SARS Alert Might Not Be Real
Tax season brings a predictable spike in SARS scams. When scrolling through your emails or messages, there’s a good chance a notification claiming to be from SARS is already waiting for you, whether it’s a tax refund you never filed for, or an urgent settlement demand designed to trigger panic. Four types of scams usually […]
How New VAT Thresholds Are Reshaping SME Year-End Planning
For the first time in 30 years, South Africa’s compulsory VAT registration threshold has increased to R2.3 million, forcing thousands of SMEs into difficult financial and tax decisions at year-end. While the R1.3 million increase offers immediate compliance relief, treating the reform as a simple cost-saving exercise could jeopardise the long-term cash flow and corporate […]
Tax Rules You May Not Agree With, But Need to Plan For
Do you ever get the sense that SARS sometimes wants to have their cake and eat it? By this, I’m talking about situations where it appears that having already extracted tax on a particular amount received, SARS takes a second bite at the cherry. And on the fact of it, that’s not fair! I often […]
RA vs TFSA: What Is the Advantage of a Tax-Free Savings Account?
In his Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance announced an increase in the annual tax-free savings account (TFSA) contribution limit from R36,000 to R46,000 – the most significant boost to this allowance in years, and a timely reminder of just how powerful this vehicle can be. When used properly, it can deliver completely tax-free returns […]
Budget 2026 Explained: Where Taxpayers Gain and Where They Don’t
After last year’s “third-time lucky” Budget, many predicted doom and gloom this year. There was talk of the need for an additional R20 billion of tax hikes – whether in the form of the much-maligned VAT increase proposal rearing its ugly head, or direct personal income tax hikes. That didn’t happen. In presenting his 2026 […]
Pocket Money as a Tool Against Youth Financial Illiteracy in South Africa
In 2026, South Africa continues to grapple with one of the most severe youth unemployment and financial literacy crises in the world. According to the United Nations in South Africa, unemployment stood at 31.9% at the start of 2026, while youth unemployment among those aged 15 to 34 still exceeded 46%. Financial illiteracy compounds this […]
Death Is Unavoidable, But Estate Taxes Can Be Planned For
Estate duty is one of those taxes that many people know about in theory, but very few actively plan for. It only becomes real when a loved one passes away and the estate is wound up, often revealing how much value quietly leaks away to taxes, fees, and avoidable inefficiencies. The reality, however, is that […]
SARS AI Audits: Why Your Accounting Partner is Your Best Defence
South African taxation has undergone a significant digital shift. As we move through 2026, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has firmly adopted a data-driven, risk-based approach to compliance, often described as “compliance by design.” The days of random spot-checks have been replaced by automated systems that analyse taxpayer information in real-time. SARS now relies […]
Double Tax Agreements and Pensions: When Paying Tax Twice Becomes a Reality
As the global workforce becomes increasingly mobile and retirees seek out international destinations for their golden years, the issue of cross-border taxation has grown in importance. One of the most critical tools in managing international tax burdens is the Double Tax Agreement (DTA) – especially in the context of pensions. What is a DTA? A […]