South Africa: SARS publishes new interest rate table charged on tax compliance
On 7 May 2018, the South African Revenue Service has published an updated rate table for interest charged on outstanding taxes, duties, and levies, and interest rates payable in respect of refunds of tax on successful appeals and certain delayed
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS releases a guide to understatement penalties
On 18 April 2018, South African Revenue Service (SARS) published a tax administration guide to understatement penalties under Chapter 16 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. The guide was first issued on 29 March 2018. The purpose of this guide
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS extends CFCs reporting rules to June
Recently, the South African Revenue Service has declared that it will temporarily allow taxpayers to report information on controlled foreign companies (CFCs) under the old filing rules, which were replaced in February From 1 June 2018 all taxpayers
See MoreIncreased VAT Rate in South Africa from 1 April 2018
Beginning on 1st April 2018, the value added tax (VAT) rate is scheduled to increase to 15% from previous 14%. Generally, most transactions occurring on or after April 1, 2018, will be subject to VAT at the new rate unless a special time of supply
See MoreSouth Africa updates taxation of foreign dividends guidance
On 22 March 2018, the Government of South Africa released an updated version of its draft interpretation note on the taxation of foreign dividends. The ratios applied in section 10B (3) to calculate the partial exemption applicable to foreign
See MoreAgreement to Create the African Continental Free Trade Area
On 21 March 2018 leaders of 44 African countries signed an agreement to create the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The agreement if implemented would remove barriers to trade, such as tariffs and import quotas, allowing the free flow
See MoreSouth Africa: Revenue services announces for temporary use of old filing rules
The South African Revenue Service will temporarily permit taxpayers to report information on controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) under the old filing rules replaced in February. SARS replaced the old reporting schedule in February, which was
See MoreSouth Africa: The tax incentive for R & D is expected soon
On 2 March 2018, the Department of Science and Technology (“DST”) attended a meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Science and Technology (Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane) to discuss the tax incentives for research and development. A task
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS announces to change the income tax return for companies
In February 2018, South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced enhancements to the income tax return for companies (ITR14), with an effective date of 26 February 2018. Changes to the ITR14 Form A new IT10 schedule will be made available for
See MoreSouth Africa: Finance Minister presents the Budget for 2018
On 21 February 2018, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, delivered the Budget for the year of 2018. The budget includes the following tax proposals: VAT rate to increase from 14% to 15%. This change is effective from 1 April
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS issues draft guide on understatement penalties for public comment
On the 22 January 2018, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) released a draft guide on understatement penalties for public comment by 12 February 2018. The aim of the guide is to provide taxpayers with an understanding of understatement
See MoreSouth Africa: National Treasury issues 2nd draft of the carbon tax bill for public comment
On 14 December 2017, the National Treasury was published the 2nd draft of the Carbon Tax Bill for public comment and presented in Parliament. The version of the second draft law is generally follows the first version (published in 2015) but reflects
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS extends deadline for filing of Country-by-Country reports
On 8 December 2017, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced that it extended the Country-by-Country report, master file and local file reporting deadline to 28 February 2018 for taxpayers with an existing reporting obligation in December
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS publishes public notice on the submission of CbC report
On 13 October 2017, the South African Revenue Service published the public notice on the submission of Country-by-Country (CbC) report, Master file, and Local file information returns under the external business requirements specification (BRS). A
See MoreSouth Africa: Dutch court ruled on exemption of withholding tax on dividend payments
On 17 August 2017, a Dutch lower court ruled that dividend payments from the Netherlands to South African corporate entities with 10% or more ownership in the company are not subject to Dutch dividend withholding tax. The case involved a 2013
See MoreSouth Africa: DTA with Cameroon enters into force
The double tax agreement between South Africa and Cameroon entered into force on 13 July 2017, according to a SARS notification published on 1 September 2017. The treaty was signed on 15 February 2015. Under the agreement the withholding tax rate on
See MoreSouth Africa: SARS releases draft taxation amendment bill for public comment
The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) published on 19 July 2017 for public comment the 2017 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (TLAB) and the 2017 Draft Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill (TALAB). Together with the
See MoreSouth Africa-Turkey amending protocol enters into force
The amending protocol to the double tax agreement between South Africa and Turkey entered into force on 15 July 2017, according to a SARS notification published on 28 July 2017. The protocol was signed at Pretoria on 3 March 2005 to amend the
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