Author: Ben Strauss of DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Consider the following example: A taxpayer bought shares for R100 000 on 1 June 2004, and sold them on 1 June 2014. Assume that: the in?ation rate during the period the shares were held was 6% per year compounded; the value of the shares grew at a (generous) rate of 10% per year compounded; the taxpayer has no other capital gains during the tax year ending 28 February 2015 and has no assessed capital loss; and the taxpayer pays income tax at the highest marginal rate of 40%.
Category: Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax – Base cost of an interest-freenloan at a discount
Introduction The Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (the Act) provides for a tax on capital gains colloquially known as capital gains tax. An interest free loan is regarded as an “asset” in terms of the definition in paragraph 1 of the Eighth Schedule as it is an incorporeal asset whereby the lender acquires a right to claim payment from the borrower. Where part of a loan is repaid it constitutes part of an asset disposed of and it will be necessary to allocate a part of the base cost of the loan to the part of the loan repaid in order to determine the capital gain or capital loss in respect of the disposal of that part. Where a loan is acquired for less than its face value, i.e. the base cost of the loan is less than the amount actually owed by the Read More …
SARS has eye on property taxes
Author: iAfrica.com Established Cape Law firm, Herold Gie Attorneys, who this year celebrate 120 years of legal expertise, recently held an informative property and tax seminar at the Cape Town Hotel School attended by a number of property professionals from across the city. Presented by Di Seccombe, National Head of Tax Training at audit and advisory firm Mazars, the seminar delivered a broad analysis of the recent 2014/2015 Budget Speech, as well as recent legislative and administrative changes that impact the SA property industry and real estate agents in particular.
Determining the base cost of the repayment of an interest-free loan acquired for less than face value
Author: Okkie Kellerman and Esther Geldenhuys of ENSafrica Introduction The Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“the Act”) creates a tax liability known as capital gains tax which applies generally where an asset is disposed of. A loan is regarded as an “asset” in terms of the definition in paragraph 1 of the Eighth Schedule as it is an incorporeal asset whereby the lender acquires a right to claim payment from the borrower. Where part of a loan is repaid it constitutes part of an asset disposed of and it will be necessary to allocate a part of the base cost of the loan to the part of the loan repaid in order to determine the capital gain or capital loss in respect of the disposal of that part.
Developments in the taxation of collective investment schemes
Author: Toinette Beckert by ENSafrica Section 25BA prior to 1 January 2014 Prior to the recent amendments in the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No. 31 of 2013 (“the TLAA”), a collective investment scheme (“CIS”) was taxed on a semi-flow through regime in terms of section 25BA of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (“the Act”). Accordingly, amounts (other than amounts of a capital nature) received by or accrued to a portfolio of a CIS (other than a portfolio of a CIS in property) were deemed to have directly accrued to a person to the extent that the amounts were distributed by the CIS to such person not later than 12 months after its accrual to the CIS and if that person was entitled to the distribution by virtue of holding a participatory interest in the CIS.
Determining the Base Cost of the repayment of an interest-free loan acquired for less than face value
Authors: O. Kellerman and E. Geldenhuys (ENS) Introduction The Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“the Act”) creates a tax liability known as capital gains tax which applies generally where an asset is disposed of. A loan is regarded as an “asset” in terms of the definition in paragraph 1 of the Eighth Schedule as it is an incorporeal asset whereby the lender acquires a right to claim payment from the borrower. Where part of a loan is repaid it constitutes part of an asset disposed of and it will be necessary to allocate a part of the base cost of the loan to the part of the loan repaid in order to determine the capital gain or capital loss in respect of the disposal of that part.
Capital Gains Tax and The effects of inflation
The South African capital gains tax (CGT) regime does not provide for indexation: it does not take into account the effect that inflation may have on capital profits over time. Consider the following example: A company bought an asset on 1 January 2002 for R1 000. The company sold the asset on 1 January 2013. The inflation rate during that period was, for example, 6% compounded annually. The company realised a return of, for example, 10% compounded annually, that is, a return of 4% above inflation compounded annually. Accordingly, the company sold the asset for an amount of R2 853. The company realised a nominal profit of
On South African tax compliance, tax morality and taxpayers’ freedom to do tax planning – Canada, Ireland and South Africa are not worlds apart
The upcoming Budget Speech comes against the backdrop of a depressing South African growth rate, stubbornly high unemployment, a depreciating Rand (with more US tapering still to come), continued strikes in the mining sector, deadly service delivery protests and declining tax revenues. On a more positive note: In November 2013 Minister Gordhan pointed to the continued growth in tax compliance by South Africans and said: “… the ability to collect tax revenue …to finance the provision of public services and socioeconomic infrastructure has been a cornerstone of our democracy these 20 years.”
Capital Gains Tax – Reits, recoupments and assessed losses
Author: Louis van Manen (Grant Thornton) The Taxation Laws Amendment Bill of 2013 (TLAB) contains a proposed amendment to the newly introduced Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) legislation which should be welcomed by such trusts. While it is generally assumed that the tax burden associated with income and capital gains of REITs is effectively shifted to shareholder level under the REIT legislation, it will not always be the case under the current legislation. Despite enjoying exemption from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on most immovable
2014 – The South African “Tax Year” Ahead In Perspective
Aurthor: Hugo Van Zyl (Cross Border Tax and Exchange Control Specialist) The first and very important note to make, in dealing with South African tax issues: tax year 2014 ends on the last day of FEBRUARY 2014. The South African tax year for most individuals, are 1 March until the last day of February in the next calendar year. Corporates can change their tax year-end to align with the last day of their financial year-end, yet Trusts partners in a JV or partnership, are obliged to file assuming a tax year-end on the last day of February, despite their financial year-end being the last day of another month. Yes, sadly this date, Friday 28th 2014, is not even listed on the SARS webpage on important dates, yet is an extremely important tax deadline.