Ramaphosa calls on private sector to end appointments of Bain and McKinsey
The Presidency is not happy with McKinsey’s appointment as a supporting partner to the B20 or Bain’s running the Energy Council’s project management office.
SARS
Criminal liability for small businesses that fail to register for VAT
Exceeding the R1m threshold without registering could have serious consequences for businesses. SARS is stepping up enforcement, with a wave of cases landing in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
R35bn withdrawn as SARS reports unprecedented two-pot system activity
Some 20% of applications for tax directives were rejected.
Treasury analysing SARS data in considering a possible wealth tax
MPs are also told that the fiscus cannot afford a permanent and expanded Social Relief of Distress grant without tax increases.
Corporate taxpayers sceptical of SARS’s service delivery gains
Half of corporate taxpayers in PwC’s latest survey express dissatisfaction with SARS’s service improvements. Only 3% report a positive shift, while audit delays and penalty disputes remain a major pain point.
Tax Ombud flags SARS delays in meeting resolution deadlines
The Tax Ombud’s 2023/24 report highlights delays in SARS meeting resolution deadlines, an increase in complaints, and a concerning rise in eFiling profile hijacking.
Retirement savings not immune to SARS tax collection orders, court rules
SARS can appoint third parties to deduct tax debts directly from retirement funds, overriding the protections under the Pension Funds Act.
Deadline looms for Classic Financial Services’ victims: final call to claim
The liquidators of Classic Financial Services One are continuing with the collection of debts ‘to collect as much funds as possible for the estate’.
SARS will tighten the compliance screws to hit R1.84 trillion tax target
The MTBPS shows tax revenue will be below the Budget estimates, but SARS is adamant it will do everything in its power to collect as much money as it can.
Amendment to ADR process may resolve tax disputes faster
Taxpayers may soon have a faster, cost-effective way to resolve disputes with SARS through alternative dispute resolution at the objection phase.
Under-reported crypto income may lead to tax assessments on past profits
With SARS tightening crypto enforcement, taxpayers should review their past filings, ensure accurate reporting of crypto profits, and consider the Voluntary Disclosure Programme to avoid severe penalties and interest.
Alarm bells ring as Sanlam reports high withdrawal claims among vulnerable members
In September, Sanlam received more than 83 000 withdrawal claims, with most coming from members aged 35 to 44, many of whom had a replacement ratio below 50%.
Two-pot withdrawals: taxpayers who understate their income face penalties
SARS has processed more than 1.2 million tax directives for savings component withdrawals, paying out R21.4 billion to fund members.
‘Instructive remarks’ from the Constitutional Court on understatement penalties
Expert legal interpretations, even if contrary to SARS’s stance, may not automatically result in understatement penalties.
SARS is clamping down on undeclared crypto holdings and trades
Among other measures, SARS says it is engaging with the FSCA about providing information on registered crypto asset service providers.
Constitutional Court clarifies CGT in multi-tier trust arrangements
The court’s interpretation and application of the conduit principle has implications for structures involving layers of multiple discretionary trusts.
Precedent-setting case highlights legal hurdles in transfer pricing disputes
The tax dispute between ABD and SARS highlights the complexity of IP royalty pricing and the importance of expert testimony in transfer pricing audits.
