VAT remains one of the most powerful revenue instruments available to the South African fiscus. In practical terms, it continues to rival personal income tax as a primary contributor to government revenue and remains indispensable to SARS’s collection mandate. This reality matters.
“Your Income Tax refund is on hold because your banking details on SARS records are invalid.” Hardly the message one hopes to receive from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) at the start of a new year. Yet, this scenario is becoming increasingly common, particularly among South African expats and former residents who have left […]
As we step into 2026, there is no better time for taxpayers to gain clarity on their exact standing with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Many individuals assume their tax affairs are in perfect order, but as the saying goes, assumption is the mother of all mistakes. When it comes to SARS, it can […]
As the 2026 provisional tax deadline approaches, thousands of South Africans are searching for clarity: What must I submit? What has changed? How do I avoid penalties & interest? These questions matter because for taxpayers earning income outside traditional employment, provisional tax is a non-negotiable responsibility and getting it wrong can be costly.
With the South African Revenue Service (SARS) expected to crack down on individual expats who remain non-compliant, South Africans living abroad and who have renounced their South African citizenship should take note that this step does not automatically end their tax obligation in South Africa. From a tax-law perspective, this assumption is incorrect and can […]
The most recent SARS Debt Collection Data, as at 18 December 2025, evidences the fruit borne from SARS’ Compliance initiatives, with a total of R62,579 billion in cash collected from debt, thus far. Although ahead of their collection targets to achieve the projected R100 billion in cash collections from debt, for the April 2025 to […]
In the sprawling kingdom of South African finance, trusts and their advisors navigate mist-shrouded paths of compliance, wary of penalties, interest charges, and mounting tax debts. Many brave trustees have attempted to traverse these treacherous paths, only to stumble over complex rules, shifting governance standards, and the heavy weight of outstanding obligations.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS)’ proposed Value-Added Tax (VAT) Modernisation Project is geared to combat challenges faced by traders, businesses, and SARS, including compliance inefficiencies, the risk of errors, and tax evasion. Phase 1 will entail inserting key definitions into the VAT Act, including “e-credit note”, “e-debit note” and “interoperability framework”.