Paying Salaries: What Can Go Wrong?
South African businesses face unique payroll challenges. From strict regulatory requirements to the specific needs of a diverse workforce, managing payroll requires precision, understanding, and the right approach. Here are some critical payroll mistakes businesses often encounter and our expert advice on how to avoid them: Misclassifying employees In South Africa, the distinction between independent […]
The Business of Business Travel
Business travel means different things to SARS than to taxpayers. While it has been compulsory for recipients of travel allowances to substantiate their claims by means of a detailed logbook for some years, it has become ever more critical to understand exactly what SARS understands by the term ‘business travel’. The simple reason for making […]
VAT and Freelance Creatives: Understanding where the buck stops
When someone says influencer, freelance designer, writer, or content creator (collectively referred to as a creative freelancer), do you think VAT? Probably not—and you’re not alone. Many creative freelancers don’t consider taxes in their creative pursuits. It’s not a topic that readily comes to mind when you’re brainstorming ideas or putting the finishing touches on […]
Taxing Employer-Paid Gratuities
It’s not only your retirement fund that may pay out when you decide to call it a day. Some time ago I wrote a series of articles dealing with the various payments that an employee might receive when leaving an employer. However, while those articles dealt mostly with what went wrong between the former employer […]
Exciting news!! GA Maclachlan Inc. App
We would like to announce the exciting news that GA Maclachlan Incorporated, has introduced its own app, which is now available on Apple devices (On App Store), or on any other device (On Google Play)! Please search under the name : GA Maclachlan Inc. The app is designed to give you up-to-date information on the […]
Don’t Lose That Tax Loss!
Sustaining losses on certain activities, blissfully assuming that SARS will chip in at year-end? Make sure that this loss is not ‘lost’ forever. Many people have invested in second properties based on the knowledge that, for the first few years at least, they would have to fund the shortfall until such time as the rents […]
From Departure to Encashment
How the two-pot retirement system impacts expats The much-anticipated two-pot retirement system, introduced as a ‘knight in shining armour’ for South Africans, has received a new implementation date of March 2024. Expats are cautioned to pay attention to the effects that this will have on the encashment of their retirement savings. While many have addressed […]
General Principles for Tax Deductions
When can you deduct an expense? Section 11(a) contains the general principles One of the most-asked tax questions goes along the lines of “can I deduct xxx against my income?” There are two ways to answer this type of question. One is to create a never-ending list of every type of deduction one could contemplate, […]
Beware of Tax-Related Scams
Over the past five years, the SAFPS has seen a steady increase in the number of tax-related scams. Improved efficiency To improve efficiency when it comes to processing tax returns, and to encourage individuals and businesses to file their tax returns timeously, SARS launched its eFiling service in 2000. This allows taxpayers to file their […]
Tax Implications for Marriages in Community of Property
The default marriage regime has some complicated tax consequences. When couples are caught up in wedding and honeymoon planning, visiting their attorney often takes a backseat. Many couples don’t realise that different marital laws affect how their assets are managed during marriage, divided if it ends, and how they’re taxed. The different legal frameworks determine […]