SOUTH AFRICAN TAXES

Sars may act as ‘judge and jury’


Proposed changes to tax law give officials ‘absolute power’, writes Ilham Rawoot.



Sars, unions reach wage agreement

A wage agreement between the South African Revenue Service and unions was reached on Wednesday following industrial action during this month.



Unions reject Sars wage offer

Both unions embroiled in a wage dispute with Sars have rejected the tax collector's latest wage offer, they said on Tuesday.



Court dismisses Sars bid to stop strike

A court on Monday dismissed an application by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for an urgent interdict against strike action by its workers.



Sars employees down tools

Thousands of South African Revenue Services employees downed tools on Monday demanding better pay, a union said.



Sars, unions reach interim agreement to stop strike

The South African Revenue Service and two public sector unions reached an interim agreement to suspend strike action on Friday.



Sars workers to strike

South African Revenue Service workers plan to strike after wage talks reached an impasse, the Public Servants' Association said on Thursday.



Law society rejects 'draconian' powers sought by Sars

The "draconian" powers sought by Sars in terms of draft legislation should be rejected as unconstitutional, the Law Society of SA said on Thursday.



Why it's best to beat the tax deadline

February 5 2009 was the deadline to submit your 2008 income tax returns. The penalties have increased significantly but you do have a grace period.



Trade deficit down

Sars on Wednesday revised the country's trade deficit for 2008 sharply lower after excluding gold temporarily imported for refining purposes.



2010 big shot skips SA

2010 Mbombela stadium's project manager Chris Grib is on the run because of alleged tax evasion.



Niehaus: Kebble debt dispute resolved

ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus and trustees of Brett Kebble have reached an agreement over money they want from him, Niehaus said on Friday.



Invest your bonus in an RA

The tax benefit of investing your bonus in an RA means that the receiver of revenue helps pay for your retirement.



Search on for South Africans in Mumbai

There were an unspecified number of South Africans staying at the Taj Mahal Hotel, one of the sites of attacks by militant gunmen.



Sars runner-up in global software award

The Sars has been awarded a silver medal in innovative technology at the annual Adobe Max Awards in North America.



Sars complains of 'last-minute' culture, extends deadline

The deadline for income tax returns has been moved to December 5, giving taxpayers more time to submit their returns, says the SA Revenue Service.



Powder-laced envelopes found at Sars office

Three powder-laced envelopes and a threatening note was found at the Vereeniging South African Revenue Service offices.



Businessman says Sars 'tough guys' are out to get him

The South African Revenue Service was out to destroy his life, super-rich businessman Dave King said on Tuesday.



SA September trade deficit widens

South Africa's trade deficit widened to R7,1-billion in September, from a R5,12-billion shortfall in August, the Sars said on Friday.



The end of tax returns?

Sars aims to achieve a return-free tax system for the majority of salaried individual taxpayers within the next five years.

Stiff sentences for defrauding SARS


Jail terms of 15 years each have been imposed on a man and a woman who defrauded the South African Revenue Service.



Now it's tougher to hide from the taxman

The new system forces employers to place more pressure on wayward tax employees, writes Barrie Terblanche.



July trade deficit widens to R14,3bn

SA recorded a trade deficit of R14,3-billion in July compared with June's R180-million shortfall, the South African Revenue Service said on Friday.



Sars extends office hours to help taxpayers

Offices of Sars will stay open longer from Monday to accommodate the anticipated increase in employers wishing to submit their payroll records.



Zuma's innocence or guilt of 'most pressing interest'

Determining whether Jacob Zuma is innocent or guilty is of the "most pressing interest", says the National Prosecuting Authority in court papers.



Trade deficit narrows in May

Exports of R56,24-billion and imports of R57,90-billion in May resulted in a trade deficit of R1,66-billion, Sars said on Monday.



Manuel commends Sars staff

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel commended the staff of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for having exceeded the revenue target for the last tax year. He was speaking on Thursday at the launch of Sars's 2008 filing season. "When I speak to my international colleagues, they can't match the figures," he said.



Focus shifts to employers for 2008 tax season

The South African Revenue Service on Thursday announced details for the 2008 tax season, that for the first time puts specific emphasis on the central role of employers in the personal income tax system. Changes would be introduced that would impact on the legal obligation of employers who administer payroll taxes such as Paye, UIF, Site and SDL.



SA trade deficit narrows

South Africa's trade deficit narrowed to R5,03-billion in March from February's figure of R5,8-billion, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Wednesday. "March exports of R51,15-billion and imports of R56,18-billion resulted in a deficit of R5,03-billion," Sars said.



'Not fair' that govt taxes Eskom

The huge increase in the electricity price was the result of poor planning and management on the government's part, so it should not be allowed to get tax income from that, a media report said on Friday. The government would get a R4-billion boost in taxes if Eskom was allowed to increase its prices by a nominal 60%.



Tax-refund scam hits consumers

Con-artists posing as South African Revenue Service (Sars) officials are trying to take tax refunds back from an unsuspecting public, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) warned on Tuesday. "Sars is currently refunding individuals who are entitled to tax refunds and thus the storyline is quite believable," said Sabric.



Opposition grows to arms shipment for Zimbabwe

Opposition to a shipment of arms being offloaded in Durban and transported to Zimbabwe increased on Thursday when South Africa's largest transport workers' union announced that its members would not unload the ship. A government spokesperson said the country could not stop the shipment from getting to its destination.



R43m scanner unveiled at Durban's harbour

A scanner costing R43-million -- the first of 18 -- has been put into operation at Durban harbour's container terminal, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Tuesday. Leonard Radebe, head of customs at Sars, said the scanner would improve turnaround times at the congested Durban terminal.



SA exceeds 2007/08 tax-revenue target

South Africa exceeded its tax-revenue target by more than R800-million in the 2007/08 financial year due to strong economic growth and efficient collections. The Treasury said the South African Revenue Service (Sars) revenue service collected $571,807-billion in taxes.



SA February trade deficit narrows to R5,8bn

South Africa's monthly trade deficit narrowed to R5,8-billion in February, compared with January's R10,2-billion shortfall, the South African Revenue Service said on Monday. Compared with the previous month, exports rose by 19,28%, largely due to a sharp rise in vehicle exports, while imports increased by 6,44%.



The big split

Since September last year, divorcees have been able to receive a portion of their ex-spouse's pension fund without waiting until retirement. But confusion about the taxation of these funds and whether divorce orders prior to the change in legislation qualify has meant that the payment has often not been made.



'No syndicate' targeting air travellers at OR Tambo

Foreign nationals arriving at OR Tambo International Airport will not be required to furnish customs officials with their addresses, the border control operational coordinating committee said on Monday. Committee chairperson Humbulani Ravele told a press briefing: "As a precautionary measure, customs officials removed the address fill-ins on the forms."



Sars keeps mum over Zuma tax returns

As the National Prosecuting Authority was revealing in papers submitted to the Constitutional Court how African National Congress president Jacob Zuma allegedly failed to declare his income to the taxman, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) on Friday was keeping mum.



January trade deficit widens to R10,2-billion

South Africa's monthly trade deficit widened to R10,2-billion in January, compared with December's R1,2-billion gap, the South African Revenue Service said on Friday. Compared with the previous month, exports fell by 8% while imports increased by 13%, largely due to a rise in imports of minerals products and machinery.



Police seize R54m-worth of cocaine at OR Tambo

About R54-million-worth of cocaine, smuggled into the country from Brazil, was confiscated at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday, police said. Police in São Paulo, Brazil, had notified South African authorities on Saturday that a plane heading to OR Tambo was carrying cocaine
A tax checklist for private investors


February 28 marks the end of the tax year in South Africa. There are 10 points South African private investors need to tick off before then, relating to retirement savings, capital-gains tax, travel-expense claims, donations, offshore investment and more.



Zuma turns to highest court in graft case

African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma has asked the Constitutional Court to strike down a court ruling allowing seized documents to be used against him in a corruption case. Zuma and his lawyer Michael Hulley argued that prosecutors and investigators had acted illegally when they raided and seized documents.



Sars simplifies VAT registration

Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration would be easier from this month, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Friday. Sars said the new VAT-registration process reduced the paperwork required for registration and provided for the instant issuing of VAT registration numbers over the counter at Sars branches.



Record number of tax returns in 2007

More than three million tax returns were filed in the 2007 filing season, the South African Revenue Service said on Wednesday. Taxpayers have eight days left to submit tax returns but this can only be done electronically. Outstanding tax returns must be submitted by January 31 to avoid penalties.



Africa to get together to solve tax problems

Tax collectors from 39 countries around the world meeting in an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development-sponsored conference on Friday agreed to support a further conference specifically on taxation in Africa. The conference will be hosted by the South African Revenue Service, and will take place in May this year.



Scorpions reveal new Zuma evidence

New allegations against African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma have been included in an affidavit before the Constitutional Court, South African Broadcasting Corporation news reported on Friday. Johan du Plooy, a senior special investigator for the Scorpions, said investigations had uncovered substantial new evidence against Zuma.



Committee hopes to alleviate border congestion

National, provincial and local government departments, together with state agencies in the various provinces, will work together to manage congestion at the country's busiest land border posts over the festive season, the border-control operational coordinating committee said on Thursday.



Keeping it in the family

No longer a tool for the rich, a family trust (inter vivos trust) created while you are alive, as opposed to a "testamentary trust" created after your death, is fast becoming the most popular estate-planning tool. Depending on the individual circumstances, there are many advantages and challenges to consider before creating a family trust.



Trade deficit: 'SA is now officially in trouble'

South Africa's monthly trade deficit jumped to a record R14,73-billion in October, compared to September's R4,3-billion shortfall, the South African Revenue Service said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters last week had forecast a deficit of R6,8-billion.



September trade deficit lower at R4,3-billion

South Africa recorded a trade deficit of R4,3-billion in September, compared to August's R9,1-billion shortfall, the South African Revenue Service said on Wednesday. Economists polled by Reuters last week had forecast a deficit of R6,4-billion, but the number is notoriously volatile and hard to predict.



SA sees budget surplus over next three years

South Africa will record a budget surplus for the next three years due to higher-than-expected tax revenues and would invest more to boost infrastructure, the National Treasury said on Tuesday. In its Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, the Treasury said robust economic growth over the past five years had provided for a more expansionary fiscal stance.



Rain doesn't stop Bok parade

Thousands of people in Pretoria turned up in rainy weather on Friday for a parade to celebrate the Springboks' victory in the Rugby World Cup a week ago. They were due in Johannesburg later in the day -- and in Soweto on Saturday, after a public outcry over the initial cancellation of that leg of the victory tour.



Sars says public's tax response could be better

The public's response to the South African Revenue Service's (Sars) call on tax returns is satisfying but nowhere near what is desired, Sars said on Monday. "We are satisfied, but it would have been better if we had gone as far as registering four million," said Sars spokesperson Adrian Lackay.



Non-tariff barriers block SADC goods flow

While the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has moved towards liberalising trade to make the flow of goods between countries easier and economically more rewarding, non-tariff barriers such as border delays continue to be a concern, a recent study found.



August trade deficit down slightly

South Africa recorded a trade deficit of R9,1-billion in August, compared with July's R9,4-billion shortfall, the South African Revenue Service said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters last week had forecast a deficit of R5,3-billion, but the number is notoriously volatile and hard to predict.



Amnesty cut-off looms for small businesses

Small business owners have until 1pm on Saturday to submit their 2006 tax return and financial statements in support of their applications for the small business tax amnesty. "The South African Revenue Service [Sars] is encouraged by the number of queries and visits to our offices in the past week," it said on Friday.



Small business tax-amnesty deadline looms

Small businesses that have applied for tax amnesty must submit the required documents by Friday, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Tuesday. "After the deadline Sars will commence with enforcement actions against taxpayers who have either not applied for amnesty or submitted an incomplete application," a Sars spokesperson said on Tuesday.



Ghosts come back to haunt the 'Iron Duke'

Irvin Khoza's troubles extend beyond the R66-million tax probe directed at him.