South Africa tax news
AskColm has 39 articles tagged South Africa, drawn from over 130 tax sources. The most recent is dated 24 September 2026.
Showing the latest 39.
South Africa: VAT modernization guidance issued
South Africa has issued guidance on VAT modernisation, with FAQs covering e-invoicing, e-reporting, secure invoice exchange and the proposed Digital VAT Model.
Anchoring Tax Justice in Africa’s Socio-Economic Transformation Struggles
This article explores the role of tax justice in Africa's broader socio-economic transformation, examining how equitable tax systems can address inequality, fund public services, and support development goals across the continent. It likely discusses issues such as illicit financial flows,…
South Africa: PAYE Changes for Non-Resident Employers
South Africa's tax authority has introduced changes to the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) regime as it applies to non-resident employers with employees working in South Africa. The updates address withholding and remittance obligations for foreign entities that do not have a registered…
South Africa Digital VAT Model: E-Invoicing & E-Reporting Proposal
South Africa's revenue authority, SARS, has proposed a phased Digital VAT Model that would combine mandatory e-invoicing with near-real-time e-reporting obligations. The initiative aims to modernise VAT administration, reduce the tax gap, and improve compliance visibility for the authority. Under…
South Africa Expands VAT Zero-Rating for Exported Goods Delivered to Port Authorities
South Africa has expanded the scope of VAT zero-rating for exported goods, specifically covering goods delivered to port authorities. This regulatory update broadens the circumstances under which exporters can apply a zero VAT rate, reducing the VAT burden on goods…
SARS Proposes Digital VAT Overhaul to Cut South Africa’s Tax Gap
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is proposing a digital overhaul of its VAT administration system aimed at reducing South Africa's tax gap. The initiative focuses on leveraging digital tools and technology to improve VAT compliance, enhance real-time reporting, and…
South Africa Consults on E-Invoicing and Near Real-Time VAT Reporting ModelSouth Africa Digital VAT Model: SARS E-Invoicing Plan
South Africa's SARS has launched a public consultation on a proposed digital VAT modernisation model incorporating e-invoicing and near real-time VAT reporting. The initiative signals a significant shift in South Africa's VAT compliance landscape, moving toward continuous transaction controls or…
VAT on Leasehold Improvements by Non-Vendor Lessors: 2026 Draft TLAB Closes a Leakage Gap
South Africa's 2026 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill proposes to close a VAT leakage gap concerning leasehold improvements made by non-vendor lessors. Under current rules, improvements made by lessors who are not registered VAT vendors escape the VAT net, creating…
SARS Tightens the Paper Trail for Zero-Rating: Interpretation Note 31 (Issue 5)
The South African Revenue Service has released Issue 5 of Interpretation Note 31, updating guidance on the documentary requirements for VAT zero-rating of exported goods and services. The revised note tightens the evidentiary standards that vendors must meet to substantiate…
SARS Launches Consultation on Digital VAT Modernisation
The South African Revenue Service has launched a public consultation on modernising the country's VAT system through digital means. The consultation explores potential reforms including e-invoicing mandates, real-time transaction reporting, and broader digitisation of VAT compliance processes. SARS is seeking…
South Africa e-invoicing and e-reporting 2030
South Africa is consulting on the introduction of e-invoicing and digital VAT reporting requirements, with a target implementation horizon of 2030. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is exploring mandatory electronic invoicing and real-time or periodic digital reporting obligations for…
SARS Launches VAT Modernisation Consultation on Digital VAT Model
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has launched a public consultation on a proposed Digital VAT Model as part of its broader VAT modernisation programme. The initiative aims to move towards real-time or near-real-time VAT reporting through digital means, potentially…
South Africa VAT on Electronic Services 2026: New Registration Threshold for Non-Resident Providers
South Africa is updating its VAT rules for non-resident providers of electronic services, effective 2026, introducing a new registration threshold. Foreign suppliers of digital services to South African consumers will need to assess whether they meet the revised threshold requirements…
Chronicles 2026_Tax Chronicles Issue95 (June)
The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) Tax Chronicles Issue 95 covers the latest South African tax developments for June 2026. As a publication from SAIT, it likely addresses updates to South African tax legislation, SARS administrative guidance, VAT…
Tax Practice Weekly Update – Issue 24 (25/06/2026)
The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) publishes its Tax Practice Weekly Update Issue 24, dated 25 June 2026. This regular bulletin covers current developments in South African tax practice, likely including updates on SARS rulings, legislative changes, compliance…
SARS Extends Deadline for Auto-Assessed Taxpayers in 2026
South Africa's Revenue Service (SARS) has extended the deadline for auto-assessed taxpayers in the 2026 tax filing season. Auto-assessment is a system where SARS pre-populates tax returns using third-party data and automatically issues assessments to qualifying individuals. The deadline extension…
Don’t Assume You Earn Too Little to File a Tax Return
This article addresses a common misconception among South African taxpayers who assume their income is too low to require filing a tax return. It highlights that certain individuals below standard income thresholds may still be legally required to submit returns…
AI Transforms SARS Compliance and Strengthens Tax Enforcement
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to enhance tax compliance and enforcement capabilities. AI tools are being used to detect non-compliance, identify high-risk taxpayers, analyse large datasets for audit targeting, and improve the accuracy of…
Non-Resident Tax Status Requires Careful Planning
This article addresses the tax planning considerations required for South Africans seeking non-resident tax status. It likely covers the criteria SARS uses to determine tax residency, the steps individuals must take to formally cease South African tax residency, and the…
Why Starting a Tax-Free Savings Account Early Matters
This article highlights the benefits of starting a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) early in South Africa. TFSAs allow individuals to invest up to an annual limit without paying tax on interest, dividends, or capital gains earned within the account. The…
Non-Resident Claims Face Increased SARS Scrutiny
This article reports on increased scrutiny by SARS (South African Revenue Service) of non-resident tax claims. As more South Africans emigrate or work abroad, SARS has intensified its examination of individuals claiming non-resident status to ensure compliance with residency rules.…
Taxation and Electric Vehicles in South Africa
This article examines the taxation framework surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa, exploring how the tax system intersects with the country's EV adoption goals. It likely covers incentives such as tax rebates or deductions available to EV purchasers, import…
SARS introduces early-warning system to reduce tax filing errors and audits
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced an early-warning system designed to proactively alert taxpayers to potential errors in their tax filings before submissions are finalised. The system aims to reduce the volume of incorrect returns, minimise costly audits,…
Tax Practice Weekly Update – Issue 23 (18/06/2026)
The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) publishes its Tax Practice Weekly Update Issue 23, dated 18 June 2026. This recurring publication provides tax practitioners in South Africa with timely updates on tax developments, legislative changes, SARS guidance, and…
Early Review of Tax Affairs Essential for Compliance
An early review of tax affairs is highlighted as essential for compliance in South Africa, with the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) emphasizing proactive engagement with tax obligations. The article underscores the importance of taxpayers reviewing their financial…
Trust Tax Compliance Under Increased SARS Scrutiny
SARS has intensified scrutiny of trust tax compliance in South Africa, signaling a crackdown on trusts used for tax planning or income splitting. The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) notes that SARS is closely examining trust structures, beneficial…
Tax Deduction Claims Under Scrutiny as SARS Tightens Compliance
SARS is tightening compliance around tax deduction claims in South Africa, increasing scrutiny of expenses claimed by individuals and businesses. The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) warns that deductions lacking proper substantiation, such as home office expenses, travel…
TaxTalk 2026 May/June Issue 118
TaxTalk Issue 118 (May/June 2026) is the official publication of the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT), covering current tax developments relevant to South African tax practitioners. As a bi-monthly journal, it typically addresses legislative updates, SARS administrative practices,…
ATAF Research Calls for Stronger and Structured Gender-Responsive Tax Systems Across Africa
The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has published research advocating for the development of stronger, structured gender-responsive tax systems across African nations. The research highlights how tax policies disproportionately affect women versus men, calling for reforms that address gender bias…
Proposed US Tariffs Put Trade Compliance in the Spotlight for African Exporters
Proposed US tariffs are placing increased scrutiny on trade compliance obligations for African exporters seeking access to the US market. The article examines how shifting US trade policy, including potential tariff increases, affects African nations that have benefited from preferential…
South Africa and Kenya Sign Six Agreements to Deepen Trade and Economic Cooperation
South Africa and Kenya have signed six bilateral agreements aimed at deepening trade and economic cooperation between the two nations. While the article title references trade agreements, the URL suggests associated tax implications, particularly regarding pension tax relief measures for…
Tax Reform Gains Momentum as Alcohol Excise Changes Attract Broad Support
South Africa's tax reform agenda is advancing, with proposed changes to alcohol excise duties attracting widespread stakeholder support. The reforms, likely driven by National Treasury, aim to restructure excise taxation on alcoholic beverages, potentially addressing public health objectives alongside revenue…
Tax Practice Weekly Update – Issue 22 (11/06/2026)
This is a weekly tax practice update from the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT), Issue 22 dated 11 June 2026. The update covers recent developments in South African tax practice relevant to tax professionals. SAIT's weekly updates typically…
South Africa’s Debt Stabilisation Marks Key Fiscal Milestone
South Africa has reached a significant fiscal milestone with the stabilisation of its national debt, signalling a turning point in the country's public finances. This development reflects the government's commitment to fiscal consolidation following years of rising debt levels. For…
What South Africans need to know before filing
This article from the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) provides guidance for South African taxpayers ahead of the filing season. It covers key considerations individuals need to be aware of when submitting their tax returns, likely addressing topics…
Lessons from African Countries Bringing Informal Workers Into the Tax Net
This article examines how African nations are tackling the challenge of integrating informal workers into formal tax systems. Informal economies represent a significant portion of GDP across many African countries, yet remain largely outside the tax net, limiting government revenue…
SAIT Indirect Tax Customs & Excise_Issue 5
This publication from the South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) covers indirect tax, customs, and excise developments in South Africa. Issue 5 of the Indirect Tax Customs & Excise series addresses updates relevant to practitioners operating in the customs…
Africa’s Informal Workforce Strains Tax Collection and Public Finances
Africa's large informal workforce presents significant challenges for tax authorities across the continent, straining public finances and limiting governments' capacity to fund essential services. The informal economy, which employs a substantial proportion of Africa's working population, operates largely outside formal…
SARS Targets R300 Billion Tax Gap Through Illicit Trade Crackdown
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is intensifying efforts to close a R300 billion tax gap attributable to illicit trade activities. The crackdown targets smuggling, counterfeiting, and other forms of illicit commerce that deprive the fiscus of significant revenue. SARS…