New rules for resolving tax disputes with SARS
MJ Minter Inc on 07/03/2023

New rules for resolving tax disputes with SARS

Taxpayers who have a dispute with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) can now benefit from new rules that aim to simplify and expedite the resolution process. The new rules, which came into effect on 1 July 2023, replace the previous dispute resolution rules that were in place since 2003.

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Expansion of the renewable energy tax incentive
MJ Minter Inc on 03/06/2023

Expansion of the renewable energy tax incentive

The tax incentive available for businesses to promote renewable energy will be temporarily expanded to encourage rapid private investment to alleviate the energy crisis. The current incentive allows businesses to deduct the costs of qualifying investments over a one- or three-year period, which creates a cash flow benefit in the early years of a project. Businesses are able to deduct 50 percent of the costs in the first year, 30 percent in the second and 20 percent in the third for qualifying investments in wind, concentrated solar, hydropower below 30 megawatts (MW), biomass and photovoltaic (PV) projects above 1 MW. Investors in PV projects below 1 MW are able to deduct 100 percent of the cost in the first year.

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SARS permanent Voluntary Disclosure Programme
MJ Minter Inc on 12/05/2022

SARS permanent Voluntary Disclosure Programme

The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in terms of the Tax Administration Act No. 28 of 2011, has made provision for the Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) to be permanently available to a qualifying individual, company or trust that seeks to voluntarily disclose and regularise their tax affairs. This step is aligned to the SARS’ strategic objective, which seeks to provide clarity and certainty as well as make it easy and seamless for taxpayers and traders to comply with their obligations.

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Filing Season 2022 for Individuals
MJ Minter Inc on 07/05/2022

Filing Season 2022 for Individuals

Taxpayers, your turn to file your tax return starts on 1 July this year. The good news is that a significant number of individual taxpayers will be auto-assessed again this year, and this process will start in July. You will be sent an SMS if you are selected to be auto-assessed. When you receive the SMS, log into eFiling or MobiApp to view your assessment. If you agree with the assessment there is nothing more to do.

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EXTENSION OF THE TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN  THE GENERAL FUEL LEVY
MJ Minter Inc on 06/02/2022

EXTENSION OF THE TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL FUEL LEVY

On 31 March 2022, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy jointly announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of R1.50 per litre from Wednesday 6 April 2022 until 31 May 2022 to provide limited short-term relief to households from rising fuel prices following the Russia/Ukraine conflict. The relief was to be funded by a liquidation of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves.

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The Bounce Back Support Scheme comes into effect
MJ Minter Inc on 05/03/2022

The Bounce Back Support Scheme comes into effect

The Bounce Back Support Scheme, a loan guarantee mechanism of R15 billion which was first highlighted in the February 2022 budget speech, has come into effect in April 2022. The scheme aims to facilitate job creation and economic growth in the wake of shocks such as the Covid-19 lockdowns, the July 2021 civil unrest in Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng, and the ongoing flood disaster.

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Fixing of Rate Per Kilometre in Respect of Motor Vehicles
MJ Minter Inc on 03/31/2022

Fixing of Rate Per Kilometre in Respect of Motor Vehicles

It is normal practice for the new rates for travel allowances for the ensuing year to be tabled in the Budget speech in February. For some odd reason the last two years SARS has only made this information available post-budget.

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2022/2023 Budget Highlights
MJ Minter Inc on 03/01/2022

2022/2023 Budget Highlights

The Minister of finance Enoch Godongwana tabled his Budget review on the 23rd February 2022. The following were the key tax issues arising.

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SARS Reports Over 2 Million Tax Directive Applications for Savings Withdrawals
MJ Minter Inc on 02/03/2025

SARS Reports Over 2 Million Tax Directive Applications for Savings Withdrawals

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a significant milestone in the implementation of the two-pot system, with a total of 2,664,279 applications for tax directives received to date. Of these, 2,403,379 applications have been approved, resulting in a total gross lump sum payout of R 43.42 billion.

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IMF Issues Warning to South Africa Amid Economic Challenges
MJ Minter Inc on 02/03/2025

IMF Issues Warning to South Africa Amid Economic Challenges

On January 31, 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a stark warning to South Africa, highlighting several ongoing economic challenges that could hinder the country's growth prospects. The warning comes in the wake of the IMF's Article IV Consultation with South Africa, conducted from November 11 to 25, 2024.

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CIPC Initiates Deregistration of Non-Compliant Companies
MJ Minter Inc on 02/03/2025

CIPC Initiates Deregistration of Non-Compliant Companies

The Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) has announced a significant wave of deregistrations due to continued non-compliance with the Companies Act. As of January 17, 2025, a large volume of companies have been deregistered for failing to meet obligations such as Annual Returns and Beneficial Ownership declarations.

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SARS Invites Public Input on 2025 Budget
MJ Minter Inc on 02/03/2025

SARS Invites Public Input on 2025 Budget

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a call for public input on the upcoming 2025 Budget. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will deliver the National Budget Speech in February 2025, and the government is seeking suggestions from South Africans on various budget-related topics.

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IMF Concludes Annual Consultation with South Africa: Positive Outlook Amid Challenges
MJ Minter Inc on 12/02/2024

IMF Concludes Annual Consultation with South Africa: Positive Outlook Amid Challenges

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded its 2024 Article IV annual consultation with South Africa, highlighting a cautiously optimistic economic outlook. The IMF team, which visited from November 11-25, engaged with various stakeholders to discuss policies aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability and fostering sustainable growth.

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How to Obtain a Tax Directive from SARS
MJ Minter Inc on 12/02/2024

How to Obtain a Tax Directive from SARS

Obtaining a tax directive from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is a crucial step for employers, fund administrators, and insurers to ensure the correct deduction of employees' tax from lump sum payments. This process is essential for managing tax liabilities on retirement funds, severance packages, and other lump sum benefits.

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Africa: A Continent of Growth and Opportunity
MJ Minter Inc on 12/02/2024

Africa: A Continent of Growth and Opportunity

Africa, a vast continent covering 30.2 million square kilometres, is home to approximately 1.5 billion people, representing about 18.6% of the world's population. ​ With its diverse climates ranging from hot deserts to tropical rainforests and frozen glaciers, Africa is a land of immense natural beauty and resources. ​ The continent is rich in oil, gold, platinum, and diamonds, many of which remain untapped due to infrastructure and financing challenges. ​

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29th Conference of the Parties (COP29)
MJ Minter Inc on 12/02/2024

29th Conference of the Parties (COP29)

The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) recently concluded in Baku, Azerbaijan, and it has been a pivotal event in the global climate agenda. Here are the key outcomes and implications of COP29:

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2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)
MJ Minter Inc on 11/04/2024

2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)

The 2024 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in South Africa, presented by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on October 30, 2024, outlined the government's strategic response to economic challenges and fiscal constraints amid declining tax revenues. This year’s MTBPS comes at a time when the National Treasury faces a significant revenue shortfall of around R22.3 billion for 2024/25, attributed to lower-than-expected collections across various tax categories, including income tax and fuel levies. Factors like reduced energy-related imports and weaker private sector employment have contributed to this shortfall, while domestic VAT has performed slightly better due to increased corporate earnings in certain sectors.

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SARS Enhances Security with Biometric Authentication for eFiling
MJ Minter Inc on 11/04/2024

SARS Enhances Security with Biometric Authentication for eFiling

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced biometric facial recognition as a new security measure for its eFiling system, aiming to protect taxpayer information from identity fraud and profile hijacking. This innovative step is part of SARS's ongoing efforts to enhance the security and efficiency of its electronic services.

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Africa Overview
MJ Minter Inc on 11/04/2024

Africa Overview

“Africa is on its way to becoming a preferred investment destination, a potential pole of global growth, and a place of immense innovation and creativity. But there is also a long way to go — and Africa’s governments must as a matter of urgency turn their attention to those who are being left behind. I believe Africa and its leaders can rise to this challenge. If they do, Africa will become more prosperous, stable and equitable.”

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Updated Specification for the Two-Pot retirement system
MJ Minter Inc on 10/01/2024

Updated Specification for the Two-Pot retirement system

Since the implementation of the Two-Pot Retirement System on 1 September 2024, SARS has taken note of the challenges the industry is experiencing. To this end, various enhancements have been incorporated into the SARS interface. These enhancements and changes inter alia include:

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The Importance of Estate Planning: Securing Your Legacy
MJ Minter Inc on 10/01/2024

The Importance of Estate Planning: Securing Your Legacy

In an ever-changing world, the importance of estate planning cannot be overstated. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy or the elderly; it is a crucial process for anyone over the age of eighteen. ​ It involves creating a strategic plan to manage and distribute your assets during your lifetime and after your death, ensuring that your wishes are honoured and your loved ones are protected. ​

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