“Protect Yourself – Use Only Registered Tax Practitioners” was among the first messages from SARS this year. The message also highlighted the risks of engaging the services of unregistered practitioners and provided an online look-up feature where a practitioner’s registration can be verified.          

Not only are we proud to confirm that our team of tax professionals is correctly registered, we’re also pleased to highlight the many benefits that come from working with registered tax practitioners.

"A tax professional is someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand." (Carl Ally, adapted from a quote about architects)

With tax compliance scrutiny intensifying and SARS increasing its detection capabilities with “the latest technology, artificial intelligence, and data science”, South African businesses face mounting pressure to keep their tax affairs 100% in order.          

To achieve and maintain this compliance, the expertise of a tax practitioner is invaluable – provided you are using a correctly registered practitioner.

Do I even need a tax practitioner?

The specialised knowledge that registered tax practitioners offer greatly benefits businesses and individuals to navigate more complex tax matters, including:

• multiple income streams
• multiple tax obligations (income tax, VAT, PAYE, SDL, UIF)
• optimisation of complex deductions
• industry-specific tax considerations
• capital gains calculations
• strategic tax planning opportunities.

Businesses that attempt to navigate tax matters alone or with unregistered help face significant risks like:

• missed opportunities for legitimate tax efficiency
• exposure to penalties and interest charges for errors or oversights
• increased likelihood of verifications and audits
• reputational damage
• potential criminal liability in cases of serious mistakes and omissions.

Using a registered tax practitioner can significantly reduce these risks, free up time to focus on your core business, and eliminate the stress of tax-related challenges.

Why must a tax practitioner be registered?

Section 240(1) of the Tax Administration Act mandates that anyone who provides tax advice or completes tax returns on behalf of others must be registered with both SARS and a Recognised Controlling Body, such as SAIPA, SAICA, SAIT or CIBA.   

To provide clients with assurance that their tax affairs are in capable hands, these professional bodies impose stringent criteria on registered tax practitioners, ensuring they are:

• qualified according to stringent industry-recognised criteria
• up-to-date with current tax legislation and professional development
• bound by professional codes of conduct or ethics
• accountable to a professional regulatory body
• able to provide recourse for substandard service or fraudulent activities
• covered by Professional Indemnity insurance
• supported by a technical support team for resolving complex tax issues.

More benefits of using a registered tax practitioner

Tax clarity and tailored tax advice: As SARS updates requirements and introduces new compliance measures, a registered practitioner can expertly advise your business in the evolving tax landscape.

Strategic advice on legitimate tax efficiency measures like tax planning and structuring, industry-specific tax opportunities for your business, and additional services to streamline tax compliance.

Critical protection is provided by ensuring accurate and compliant tax calculations and returns, maintaining documentation for potential audits, and proactively identifying and addressing potential compliance issues.

Direct representation during SARS engagements including lodging and managing disputes, and experienced negotiation capabilities.

Insurance cover: A registered tax practitioner carries Professional Indemnity insurance – providing an additional layer of protection should errors occur. 

Maximise value from our tax team

As SARS intensifies its compliance efforts, the guidance and protection offered by our professional tax team will become increasingly valuable.

Employing a registered tax practitioner is about much more than meeting a compliance requirement – it's a strategic advantage that delivers expertise, protection, and peace of mind and helps secure your business's reputation and financial future.

How do I know if a Tax Practitioner is registered?

1. Ask them for their PR Number.
2. Visit SARS’ Tax Practitioner Verification Link.
3. Enter the PR Number to confirm ongoing registration.

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