Court Scrutiny of SARS’ Powers and Internal Protocols – Why the Tax Man May Come Up Short
Two recent High Court judgments, in which the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) powers came under close scrutiny, have delivered a clear message: despite the tax authority’s wide powers under the Tax Administration Act, No. 28 of 2011 (“TAA”), those powers are discretionary, but not unfettered.
SARS Gatekeeper Role Delays Offshore Directors’ Fees
Non-Executive Directors who are non-resident for South African tax purposes are increasingly experiencing delays and uncertainty when seeking to remit directors’ fees offshore. This follows recent regulatory amendments published by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), which formally position the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as the primary compliance gatekeeper for the externalisation of income.
New Banking and Tax Rules Impact Receiving and Remittance of Rental Income for Foreign Property Owners in South Africa
Foreign nationals who own fixed property in South Africa and derive rental income from it, are increasingly facing new compliance hurdles when accessing or transferring those funds. Recent feedback from multiple South African banks indicates the tightening of access to non-resident bank accounts where additional tax compliance requirements are not met, which could leave foreign […]
SARS Ends Trust Leniency: Enforcement Action Now Underway
The South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) long-standing period of leniency for trusts has come to an and. On Monday, 9 February 2026, SARS communicated that it has issued final demands to trusts who did not submit an annual tax return for the 2024 and 2025 years of assessment and warned recipients in no uncertain terms […]
Could Starlink and the Like Shape the VAT Debate in the 2026 Budget and Beyond?
With the 2026 Budget Speech set for 25 February, one issue is all but guaranteed to resurface: VAT.