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 […]
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 […]
Four Tips for Navigating the ‘Two-Pot’ Pension Rules
South Africa changed its pension laws with effect from 1 September 2024. The new system is designed to give individuals the opportunity to access only a portion of their retirement funds before they retire, in the case of dire need, or even in case of desire. To an extent, this makes sense, given the low […]
Ten Easy Ways to Save Tax
No fancy schemes, loopholes, or expensive lawyers required – and it’s all perfectly legal! Paying tax is a legal responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of legal avenues to reduce your tax burden. SARS provides a number of tax-efficient strategies that individuals and businesses can use to reduce their taxable income. […]
Handling Payroll for Freelance Workers in South Africa
Handling Payroll for Freelance Workers in South Africa Managing payroll for freelance workers involves a few key points, including understanding legal requirements, setting clear payment structures, and using the right tools. Here’s a practical overview to help businesses handle freelance payroll effectively. Legal Obligations Freelancers are generally considered independent contractors, but businesses still have some […]
Banking Fraud and Estate Administration – The Case That Put Banks on Notice
In a landmark judgment delivered by the Western Cape High Court recently, the court made it clear that banks cannot escape liability when they pay estate funds to the wrong person, even when that person presented themselves as the lawfully appointed executor of a deceased estate. The case of Turner NO vs Standard Bank of […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]