Authors: Nicole Paulsen and Danielle Botha (DLA Cliff Dekker Hofmeyer) The question of deductibility of legal expenses incurred to protect one’s reputation or the goodwill of a business seems to be a recent hot topic of conversation, especially when following the news. Interestingly, two international cases relating to the deductibility of legal expenses, both related to reducing reputational risk and challenging alleged unfounded allegations against the taxpayer, have recently been handed down in Australia and England, respectively.
Tag: tax saving
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.
Income protection policies: tax deduction for premiums to be abolished from 1 March 2015
Employees earning remuneration are generally prohibited from claiming tax deductions for any expenditure other than those items listed in section 23(m) of the Income Tax Act (58 of 1962). This is in contrast to persons carrying on a trade independently of an employer.
Tax Administration Act – Understatement penalty regime
The draft Taxation Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2013 (TALAB) was released by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) on 5 July 2013 for public comment. The TALAB proposes, amongst other things, that several amendments be made to the Tax Administration Act, No 28 of 2011 (the TAA) in respect of understatement penalties.
Render unto Caesar – Harsh Tax Penalties Reviewed
JOHANNESBURG – Taxpayers who accidentally reduce their tax liability due to a reasonable mistake without any intent to defraud the Taxman, won’t be subjected to harsh understatement penalties in future. The Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill was introduced in the National Assembly last week and revises regulations to such an extent that the South African Revenue Service (Sars) won’t impose penalties in cases where the understatement by the taxpayer “results from a bona fide inadvertent error”. This follows criticism from tax practitioners and taxpayers on the harsh penalties previously imposed even where taxpayers had no intention of deceiving Sars.
Income protection policies: deduction for premiums to be abolished
By Dan Foster, associate director: International Executive Services, KPMG Employees earning remuneration are generally prohibited from claiming tax deductions for any expenditure other than those items listed in section 23(m) of the Income Tax Act (58 of 1962). This is in contrast to persons carrying on a trade independently of an employer. One of the few deductions still available to employees is for premiums paid on income protection insurance policies. Currently, such premiums are deductible if (a) the policy covers the person against loss of income as a result of
South African Personal Income Tax
What is it? Income tax is the normal tax which is paid on your taxable income. Examples of amounts an individual may receive, and from which the taxable income is determined, include – Remuneration (income from employment), such as, salaries, wages, bonuses, overtime pay, taxable (fringe) benefits, allowances and certain lump sum benefits Profits or losses from a business or trade
SARS TAX SEASON 2013
What is it? Tax Season 2013 is open! It’s that time of the year again when you have to complete and submit your Income Tax Return (ITR12). We will help you through Tax Season 2013 with all you need to know so you can file easily and on time. Who is it for? Individuals (Provisional and non-provisional taxpayers)
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM ON DRAFT EMPLOYMENT TAX INCENTIVE BILL, 2013
The Draft Employment Tax Incentive Bill gives effect to the announcement by the President in his 2010 State of the Nation Address, and the 2010 Budget, that government will table proposals to subsidise the cost of hiring younger workers. The draft bill also gives effect to the 2013 Budget.
Sars Launches Scam Alert
Author: Fin24.com The tax season opened officially on July 1 and many law-abiding taxpayers are getting ready to do their bit. Unfortunately, so too are the shady individuals and gangs who operate phishing scams.