NEW DIGITAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENT FOR SOUTH AFRICAN TRAVELLERS
AUTHOR: GRAEME PALMER International travel has become a little more digital. From 1 July 2026, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa through air, land, sea, or rail ports of entry are required to complete an online traveller declaration before travelling. The new system, known as the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), has been […]
ALL ABOARD, EARN ABROAD – DO YACHTIES HAVE TO PAY TAX IN SOUTH AFRICA?
AUTHOR: TATTON BOURAS It has become a common career path for South Africans to travel abroad and work on yachts, earn foreign income and still be a tax resident of South Africa. However, many “yachties” still do not understand whether they must pay tax to the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) and if so, how […]
CAN THE EXECUTIVE UNILATERALLY ALTER A NATIONAL TAX RATE?
AUTHOR: GRAEME PALMER In a significant judgment delivered on 5 March 2026, the Western Cape Division of the High Court declared section 7(4) of the Value‑Added Tax Act 89 of 1991 unconstitutional. The provision had allowed the Minister of Finance to alter the VAT rate through a budget announcement, with immediate effect, for up to […]
SARS EYES SOUTH AFRICANS’ FOREIGN PROPERTIES
AUTHOR: GRAEME PALMER DATE PUBLISHED: 20TH JANUARY 2026 South African tax residents are taxed on their worldwide income and capital gains. This may include income or capital gains received or accrued to them from properties owned by taxpayers in foreign jurisdictions. The South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) taxing rights in respect of such income and […]
CRYPTOCURRENCY AND THE EXCHANGE CONTROL ANOMALY
Exchange Control Regulations were promulgated in 1961 under section 9 of the Currency and Exchange Act, 1933 at a time when cryptocurrency existed only in the realm of science fiction. The main goal of the Regulations was to stop large amounts of money from leaving the country, especially during times of political or economic uncertainty. […]
FIVE KEY THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE TAXATION OF YOUR TRUST
Trusts are useful for a variety of reasons. However, if they are not used for the right purpose or administered properly, they can turn out to be a headache. Notwithstanding that Treasury has tightened trust tax legislation over the years, there are still tax benefits to be had. The risks that most people face with […]
SARS GIVEN GREEN LIGHT TO HOLD THIRD PARTIES PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR TAX DEBTS
AUTHOR: GRAEME PALMER PUBLICATION DATE: MARCH 31, 2025 Gold Kid Trading (Pty) Ltd (“Gold Kid”) refine precious metals including gold. They purchase unwrought gold bars and jewelry containing gold from suppliers who are registered VAT vendors and would have paid VAT on the purchase price. The gold is refined and sold to South African clients […]