Can I avoid or reduce the impact of capital gains tax when I sell off my shares on the JSE by using the proceeds to purchase a retirement annuity or pension?
My logic is: I invested on the JSE for my retirement, should I not get the same or similar benefits as a pension scheme?
Marc Sevitz of TaxTim repsonds:
Unfortunately the capital gains effect cannot be offset by purchased annuities as the two events are seen as separate for tax purposes.
While both can be considered forms of “retirement planning” there are no upfront premium or contribution deductions for investments onto the JSE.
Furthermore, investments made on the JSE are not regulated in the same way as pension funds or retirement annuities and can be withdrawn at anytime.
The profits or capital appreciation earned is then taxed with no other tax consequences.
When you make a contribution to a fund you are allowed a tax deduction for this. So in fact when you do use your proceeds to contribute, you will already be getting a tax break.
The overall effect is a reduction in the total taxes paid for the year.
When you withdraw from a fund at the end of its life or on retirement you will be taxed on that withdrawal anyway.
So regardless of how you “save for retirement” there are still tax consequences when you finally receive the money.
– Fin24