Open letter to Kieswetter highlights rising taxpayer frustration
The Office of the Tax Ombud is seeing the same delays, verification snags, and procedural irregularities highlighted by a tax practitioner.
SARS
Can taxpayers lose by challenging SARS? The hidden risks in transfer pricing disputes
Taxpayers challenging assessments in transfer pricing disputes face hidden risks, including the rare possibility that the Tax Court could consider increasing an assessment.
SARB softens exchange control rules, but barriers for non-residents remain
The Reserve Bank has partially reversed its exchange control changes, removing tax-clearance requirements for some non-resident income flows. However, restrictions on rental income and directors’ fees remain in place.
Courts willing to consider evidence beyond a contract’s written terms
Modern contract interpretation permits surrounding circumstances to explain contractual meaning – undermining SARS’s argument that extrinsic evidence is inadmissible.
Court tells SARS: A deal is a deal
A High Court ruling confirms that SARS must honour lawful settlement agreements and cannot rely on internal systems or administrative hurdles to escape binding terms.
Grey Apple director jailed for R3.6m tax fraud as SAPS procurement probe deepens
The conviction highlights ongoing investigations under Project Blue Lights into systemic tender manipulation and corruption within the police service.
Calls grow for full audit trails in eFiling profile hijackings
Tax practitioners argue that the apparent targeting of refund-eligible profiles points to either insider access or critical control failures.
Tax compliance is easier, but corporates’ trust in SARS remains split
PwC finds a downward trend in penalties and verification risk. Yet corporate taxpayers continue to voice concerns over consistency, fairness, and accessing SARS support.
Information Regulator turns to SAPS over PAIA non-compliance
The Regulator’s recent enforcement notices relate to, among other cases, Jacob Zuma’s tax records and payments by the State Security Agency.
Insider knowledge abused: ex-SARS auditor jailed for fabricated VAT claims
The former SARS employee and tax practitioner submitted false VAT returns and forged documents that led to R1.58m in improper refunds.
Coronation grows AUM 14% as outperformance trumps local headwinds
The asset manager lifted revenue by 10%, but headline EPS declined year-on-year once the prior period’s R561m SARS tax recovery fell away.
Treasury calls for technical tax proposals ahead of 2026 Budget
National Treasury is inviting submissions of technical tax proposals for possible inclusion in Annexure C of next year’s Budget Review.
Treasury upbeat on near-term tax haul, but flags medium-term shortfalls
The MTBPS raises the 2025/26 gross revenue estimate by R19.7bn but warns of a R15.7bn shortfall against Budget estimates for 2026/27.
ConCourt judgment widens High Court’s jurisdiction in tax cases
The Court replaces the restrictive ‘exceptional circumstances’ test with a flexible ‘good cause’ standard, creating new forum-choice opportunities.
Three years that matter: emigration and access to retirement funds
The three-year countdown starts only when SARS formally recognises you as a non-resident – a difference of months can affect access and tax outcomes.
Schools’ exit VAT liability postponed for a year
VAT-registered schools will have to deregister from 1 January 2026, but the deemed output VAT on retained assets will only be payable the following year.
SARB’s new exchange control rules draw criticism
The Institute for International Tax and Finance says the latest exchange control changes could discourage foreign investors and add red tape for non-residents.
