South African taxpayers are in for a few unpleasant surprises if the proposed 2025 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill becomes law. Released by National Treasury and SARS in August, the draft legislation aims to close loopholes and broaden the tax base—but critics warn that it could erode savings and increase costs for ordinary citizens.
For many South Africans, dealing with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) can be a daunting experience, especially when disputes arise over tax matters. While SARS is mandated to collect revenue efficiently and fairly, there are times when taxpayers feel aggrieved by administrative delays, poor service, or procedural errors.
Extending payment terms to 30, 60 or 90 days may feel like a smart business decision – but beneath the surface these terms could be draining your company more than you realise.
Leading a business is time-consuming. There are myriad distractions vying to take your attention away from your core role of growing the business.
Trust Tax Season 2025 opened in September and SARS has already issued reminders to trustees that all trusts, including those that are not economically active, must file a tax return before 19 January 2026.
The end of the year is the perfect time to wrap up loose ends, assess your business's performance, and prepare for a successful year ahead.
Taxpayers should be alert to a rising phishing threat - fraudsters are sending out fake PDF letters with subjects such as “LEGAL RULING SUMMON DEMAND AS AT 21 10 2025” (though the subject line may vary).
South Africa’s tax authorities are preparing to implement new reporting standards that will bring cryptocurrency transactions squarely within the formal tax net. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released draft regulations to adopt the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), alongside updates to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver South Africa’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on 12 November, outlining the government’s fiscal and economic plans for the next three years. Often referred to as the “mini-budget,” the MTBPS provides a crucial update between February’s main Budget speeches, setting the tone for spending, borrowing, and reform priorities.
The forthcoming King V Code of Corporate Governance marks a major milestone in South Africa’s governance landscape. Developed under the auspices of the Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA), King V is set to launch on 31 October 2025, following a national consultation process earlier this year. The draft was released for public comment on 24 February 2025, with submissions closing on 4 April 2025.
Up-to-date management accounts can track performance, reveal trends and highlight opportunities, ultimately enabling better decisions and stronger growth.
Climate change is real, and failing to prepare is guaranteed to have devastating consequences. According to the World Economic Forum, climate-related risks are now ranked among the most severe global threats to business stability, and every business will need to take steps to minimise the impact.
Many founders believe that sacrificing their own salary is a noble way to keep the lights on.
Recent proposals from the National Treasury suggest a major shift in how foreign pensions and retirement benefits are taxed in South Africa. Currently, under Section 10(1)(gC) of the Income Tax Act, lump sums, pensions and annuities from foreign sources tied to past employment are exempt from income tax for South African residents.
South Africa is on the path to a real-time VAT reporting system, with full implementation expected by 2028. This will see a shift away from periodic self-reporting toward e-invoicing and direct, automated data transmission to SARS.
South Africa’s VAT registration threshold has remained unchanged at R1 million in annual turnover since 2009. In the intervening years, inflation has eroded the real value of this threshold. If it had been adjusted annually, analysts estimate it would now be closer to R2.1 million.
A forthcoming legislative change could offer relief to South African taxpayers, but only under stringent conditions. Under the proposed amendments in the 2025 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB), individuals and businesses may be allowed to suspend payment on estimated assessments issued by SARS, provided certain criteria are met.
Many entrepreneurs assume business finance is all about pure logic. But behavioural research tells us a completely different story.
The most common complaints against SARS (unsurprisingly, delayed refunds are at Number 1) are referred to as ‘systemic issues’ because they impact so many taxpayers.
If you want to scale your business, you need to know the numbers. But many entrepreneurs still treat financial roles like interchangeable parts. “I’ve got a bookkeeper, so I’m covered,” they say. Worse still: “My accountant only helps me with my taxes”.
The Institute of Race Relations (IRR) has called on Parliament to reject the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Amendment Bill, arguing that it is unconstitutional and economically unsound.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to cut costs, improve efficiency, and reduce administrative burdens. From automating invoices to predicting cash flow, AI is reshaping the way smaller businesses manage their back offices.
The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has launched a fully digital process for reinstatement applications for companies and close corporations, marking a significant step toward modernising business services in South Africa.
