Tax Issues Relating to Independent Contractors
The following question was recently received from one of our readers: I see myself as an independent contractor as I do contract work (project management) for different companies. In the 2023 income tax year, I worked for four companies, of which only one indicated on their IRP5 under code 3616 that the income I earned […]
Is Your Business Paying the Price for Not Investing in the Right Technology?
Financial operations form the backbone of every organisation, but when the technology that supports them is outdated, the ripple effect can be damaging. Slow systems increase turnaround times, manual errors create compliance risks, and poor integration can lead to inconsistent reporting. The cost of “making do” with old systems is often invisible until it shows […]
Have a Little R.E.S.P.E.C.T for My Wishes
Your will gives you the final say – even after you’re gone. A Michigan court has ruled that a handwritten document from 2014 is Aretha Franklin’s valid last will and testament after the Queen of Soul passed away without a formal will in 2018. This follows a year-long court battle between her sons to determine […]
Every Contract Has a Tax Consequence
When drafting a contract, ignoring tax will often be to your peril. Every single contract in terms of which money or property changes hands has tax consequences for the parties involved. These consequences have been plainly evident in cases where people bought their fixed property in a Close Corporation or private company, thinking that because […]
Tax Planning Strategies for Small Business Owners
As a small business owner in South Africa, managing your tax responsibilities effectively is key to maintaining financial health. By adopting smart tax planning strategies, you can reduce your tax burden and keep your business running smoothly. Here are some practical strategies to consider: 1. Utilise Allowable Deductions One of the simplest ways to reduce […]
Rethinking Retirement Investment Risk
Why getting aggressive with your pension portfolio pays off. As retirement approaches, many people reduce their risk profile by shifting their pension investments to more conservative assets like bonds and money market. However, this traditional strategy, though designed to protect against market volatility, can actually diminish the future growth potential of retirement savings – especially […]
What to Do When Tax Is Not Cut and Dried
Do you have a complex transaction, and don’t know which way SARS will go? Ask them upfront! Many entities enter into complex transactions where the tax issues are not cut and dried, but the risk of SARS ruling against them is too great. The good news is that since October 2006, there has been a […]
How to Prepare for an External Audit
Getting ready for an external audit is an essential process for any business aiming to uphold compliance, ensure transparency, and strengthen its governance practices. External audits are essential for ensuring the accuracy of financial statements and verifying that a company is adhering to required accounting standards. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for […]
When SARS Says ‘No’, They Must Tell You Why
Taxpayers have the right to obtain reasons for decisions by SARS. When I was about three years old, my mother admonished me not to play with matches, and like the precocious brat I was, I demanded to know “why”. Many a parent, faced with similar demands from their offspring, would be tempted to exert parental […]
Tax and Retrenchment: A Potential Minefield
Retrenchment can be extremely taxing … in more ways than one! Being retrenched is a traumatic experience regardless of your place on the corporate totem pole. However, the stakes tend to be higher for more senior employees – not only in terms of the larger sums involved when it comes to separation packages, but also […]