Trust filing season: Key dates and requirements for the 2026 returns
The enhanced ITR12T will draw on third-party data, while SARS steps up scrutiny of nil returns, passive assets, and assessed losses.
Trustees
Unpaid contributions: what ‘doing enough’ looks like for trustees
An IRFA panel says trustees need clear escalation processes and persistent oversight to turn section 13A compliance into meaningful recovery action.
Regulation of Trusts Bill: Stronger powers and protections
The Bill would introduce additional safeguards for particular trust arrangements, strengthen the Master’s supervisory powers, and change the trust-termination process.
Regulation of Trusts Bill: New duties and risks for trustees
The Bill would introduce annual reporting and accounting duties and establish a prudent-investor framework, while revising the beneficial-ownership obligations.
Why retirement advice isn’t changing behaviour
Access to education and information has expanded, but the challenge is turning member engagement into better financial decisions and outcomes.
Tax uncertainty clouds offshore trust distributions
Practitioners warn that applying section 7(8) to cross-border trust distributions could create onerous and potentially perpetual tax and compliance consequences.
Trust tax filings jump as penalties start to roll out
Trustees face growing pressure to file outstanding returns or formally deregister dormant trusts before penalties escalate.
COFI will test whether retirement funds are truly member-first
Old Mutual Corporate says the real COFI test is cultural: funds must start with the member outcome and build governance around it.
Death claims test trustees as section 37C meets real-world complexity
From disputed dependants to contested deaths, trustees are judged on how they investigate and explain their decisions.
Trustees urged to rethink private markets as impact and returns align
Naleni Govender says retirement funds need a more deliberate approach to private markets, with stronger due diligence, better partnerships, and clearer accountability.
Funds on the hook as Adjudicator flags failures in benefit payments
Rulings show weak controls can force retirement funds to repay benefits years later, with interest.
Why King V matters for retirement fund boards
King V may be voluntary, but for retirement fund boards it has emerged as a critical standard for credible governance, fiduciary oversight and long-term value creation.
High Court blocks FSCA’s bid to supervise fund’s general meeting
The Court set aside two notices to the Municipal Employees Pension Fund after finding the regulator had not met the statutory thresholds.
New era for fund administration: unpacking Conduct Standard 2
Trustees and administrators face a modernised regulatory framework designed to raise standards, strengthen accountability, and ensure fair outcomes for members.
Trustees sue auditors for R147m over alleged N-e-FG fund mis-investment
The trustees allege Forvis Mazars failed to detect that retirement fund money was not invested according to mandates.
FST upholds FSCA’s revocation after employer trustees excluded from vote
The Tribunal agrees with the Authority that the rule amendment was void because the employer-appointed trustees were asked to leave the meeting during the deliberations.
Benefit allocation | When may a retirement fund consider DNA testing?
When the paternity of a retirement member’s child is in doubt, boards must tread a fine line between equitable distribution and undue intrusion.
