Author: Varusha Moodaley. Where fixed property is purchased by a VAT vendor from a non-vendor, transfer duty is payable thereon by the purchaser. The fixed property purchased from a non-vendor is regarded as second-hand goods in terms of the VAT, Act 89 of 1991 (VAT Act). To the extent that the property is purchased for the purpose of making taxable supplies, the purchasing VAT vendor is entitled to a notional input tax deduction equal to the tax fraction (15/115) of the lesser of the consideration in money paid by the vendor for the supply of the fixed property, or the open market value thereof.
Category: VAT
SA Budget 2020/21 – Value-added tax
Despite much speculation regarding another increase in the VAT rate, it was announced that the VAT rate would remain unchanged. This is on the basis that a further increase in the VAT rate would not be possible without significant relief measures, either in the form of further zero-rated supplies or increased social grants to poor households at the same time as any increase. No further significant VAT amendments were announced.
VAT apportionment: An unintended penalty?
Author: Gerhard Badenhorst. The stated policy of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) not to make value-added tax (VAT) apportionment rulings effective retrospectively to prior financial years has been questioned on several occasions. The matter was recently considered by the Tax Court in the case of Taxpayer v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (VAT2063) [2019] ZATC2 (15November2019) where the Tax Court found in favour of SARS.
VAT on Grants versus Consideration for Supplies
Author: Leah Nieman. Non-profit organisations (NPOs) or Public Benefit Organisations (PBOs) often receive funding, payments, or consideration from public authorities or municipalities (Government). This frequently gives rise to uncertainty regarding the treatment of payments received from Government which could result in the VAT vendor treating the receipt incorrectly. If Government engages with a vendor to acquire goods or services, an actual supply is made. However, uncertainty arises if payment received from Government does not relate to the procurement of goods and services.
VAT Cross-Border E-Commerce Rules promulgated
Author: Des Kruger, a Webber Wentzel Consultant. The indirect taxation of cross-border e-commerce transactions have been high on the agenda for tax authorities worldwide. There is clearly a perception that much of these transactions are escaping indirect tax (essentially VAT) because the supplier and consumer are in different jurisdictions. Following the release of the OECD International VAT/GST Guidelines most VAT jurisdictions have adopted new rules for the taxation of cross-border e-commerce.
SA Budget 2019/20 – Value-added tax
Following on the 2018 budget review in which the Minister increased the VAT rate to 15%, no further significant VAT amendments were announced. Clearing of VAT refund backlog In October 2018, the Minister stated in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement that VAT refunds owing to vendors amounted to massive R41.8 billion. SARS made an effort to pay the outstanding refunds since then, which now stands at R31 billion. However, according to a SARS estimate, the outstanding refunds should be about R22 billion if uncompleted verifications and refunds withheld due to suspected fraud is taken into consideration. This effectively means that by reducing the VAT refund backlog from R41.8 billion to an acceptable R22 billion, the total expected additional revenue resulting from the increase in the VAT rate in the first year following the increase on 1 April 2018, is applied to pay outstanding VAT refunds.
VAT Changes from the Budget Speech 2018
Authors: Seelan Muthayan and Ayanda Masina (BDO South Africa). Increase in the VAT rate The Minister of Finance in the budget speech announced an increase in the VAT rate to 15%. The much anticipated increase is the first increase in the VAT rate since 1993. The VAT rate will increase with effect 1 April 2018. The provisions of the VAT Act relating to the application of an increase in the tax rate will apply to transactions where the applicable tax rates overlap. To counter the effect of the increase in the VAT rate, relief will be granted in the form of the current zero rating of basic foodstuff and an above average increase in social grants. Electronic Services Amendment of the Regulations In 2014, National Treasury brought electronic services provided by foreign businesses/ non-residents to South African residents into the South African VAT net. This new activity/type of supply was Read More …
Residential property developers face cash flow crunch due to VAT on temporary letting of units
Author: Gerhard Badenhorst (Director at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr). Many residential property developers will kick off 2018 with a major cash flow challenge as a result of a substantial value added tax (VAT) liability which they may face in respect of the temporary letting of residential units which have been developed for resale.
VAT rulingsHow and when to apply
Author: Varusha Moodaley (Senior Associate at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr). Human beings crave certainty even when it limits them. Robin S. Sharma. In practice, circumstances or proposed transactions may arise in terms of which the value-added tax (VAT) implications flowing therefrom are not always clear. It is a persons very desire for certainty that underlies the provisions of the Value-Added Tax Act, No 89 of 1991 (VAT Act) and the Tax Administration Act, No 28 of 2011 (TAA) that enables the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to issue rulings regarding the VAT treatment of supplies made to or by a vendor in the course or furtherance of his enterprise.
The golden rule: SARS clarifies a vendors entitlement to claim input tax in respect of second-hand gold
Author: Varusha Moodaley. Subjection to certain exceptions, the Value-Added Tax Act, No 89 of 1991 (VAT Act) entitles a vendor to claim a notional input tax deduction in respect of second-hand goods acquired under a non-taxable supply, where such second-hand goods are acquired from a resident of the Republic for the purpose of consumption, use or supply in the course of making taxable supplies.