Many taxpayers have over the years fallen into the trap of waiving a right in favor of a third party without considering the full extent of the tax consequences of their actions. Not only is it necessary for taxpayers to be aware of the potential donations tax implications, but it is also necessary to consider whether any capital gains tax (“CGT”) implications arise as a consequence of their actions.
Donations tax implications
A “donation” is defined in section 55 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“the Act”) as “any gratuitous disposal of property including any gratuitous waiver or renunciation of a right”. The South African courts have considered the meaning of donation in numerous cases and have held that the critical element is the motive of the donor which must be one of benevolence, sheer liberality or gratuity.
This view was expressly confirmed in the leading case of Ovenstone v Secretary for Inland Revenue 1980 (2) SA 721 (A) where the court held “In a donation the donor disposes of the property gratuitously out of liberality or generosity, the donee being thereby enriched and the donor correspondingly being impoverished, so much that, if the donee gives any consideration at all therefore, it is not a donation.”
Accordingly, if the taxpayer renounced a right for the benefit of a third party for no consideration, it will be difficult for the taxpayer to discharge the onus that he did not have an intention of generosity or liberality. As a result the taxpayer will in all likelihood be liable for donations tax which is levied at 20%. It should, however, be noted that if the taxpayer does not settle the donations tax liability, the South African Revenue Service, can hold the done personally liable and recover the outstanding donations tax from such a person.
CGT implications
In addition to the abovementioned donations tax implications, the taxpayer needs to establish whether the transaction has any CGT implications.
In terms of the Eighth Schedule to the Act, a “capital gain” arises when the proceeds received on the disposal of an asset is greater than the base cost of the asset.
The meaning of an asset for purposes of the Eighth Schedule to the Act is defined widely and includes “property of whatever nature, whether movable or immovable, corporeal or incorporeal, excluding any currency but including any coin made mainly from gold or platinum as well as a right or interest of whatever nature to or in such property”. The meaning of a disposal on the other hand specifically provides for the inclusion of the waiver or the renunciation of a right. The renunciation of the right by the taxpayer would constitute a disposal of a capital asset and the taxpayer will be liable for CGT on the difference between the proceeds received, and the base cost of the right. If the taxpayer waived the right for no consideration, the proceeds would be nil.
However, in terms of paragraph 38(1)(a) of the Eighth Schedule, where a person disposes of an asset by means of a donation, or for a consideration not measurable in money, or to a connected person for a consideration which does not reflect an arm’s length price, the proceeds will be deemed to be the market value of the asset on the date of the disposal.
If an asset is disposed of by means of a donation, such disposal is deemed to have taken place at market value for CGT purposes and the taxpayer will be liable for CGT on the difference between the market value of the right and the base cost thereof.
Accordingly, unless careful consideration is given to the construction of a transaction, the good intentions of a taxpayer can have adverse tax consequences. It should, however, be noted that none of the tax implications set out above will be applicable if the taxpayer makes a donation to an approved Public Benefit Organisation.