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This page was last updated in December 2012

South Africa Information: Business, Taxation and Investment

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In this section:

- South Africa Tax-News.com Coverage »
- South Africa Tax Treaty Updates from TreatyPro »
- South Africa Knowledge Base »
- South Africa Comments »

 

South Africa Tax-News.com Coverage

- 04/06/2013 SARS Asks Employers For Payroll Info Compliance
- 30/05/2013 South Africa, Mauritius DTA Revisions Could Catch Out Multinationals
- 28/05/2013 South Africa Puts Tax Compliance As Priority
- 23/05/2013 AfDB To Help African Countries Exploit US AGOA
- 22/05/2013 US Again Leads Global Fund Investor Experience Ranking

More South Africa Tax News »

 

South Africa Tax Treaty Updates from TreatyPro

Treaty Update: South Africa - Various
10/5/2013
South Africa's DTA Protocols with Oman, Norway, Malta, and Costa Rica, and a DTA with Chile were approved by the nation's National Assembly at its meeting on May 8, 2013.

Treaty Update: Qatar - South Africa
11/4/2013
Qatari Sultan Qaboos bin Said on April 9, 2013 ratified the pending DTA Protocol the nation signed with South Africa.

Treaty Update: South Africa - Various
10/4/2013
South Africa's DTA Protocol with Norway and Malta; its DTAs with Chile and Samoa; and a tax information exchange agreement with Costa Rica was forwarded to South African parliament for its approval on March 27, 2013.

More South Africa Tax Treaty Updates from TreatyPro »

 

South Africa Knowledge Base

South Africa Executive Summary

- South Africa Executive Summary

South Africa Country and Foreign Investment

- South Africa Geography
- South Africa History, Population, Language and Culture
- South Africa Government
- South Africa Economy and Currency
- South Africa Entry and Residence
- South Africa Business Environment
- South Africa Investment Incentives

South Africa Types Of Company

- South Africa Introduction
- South Africa Private Limited Company
- South Africa Public Limited Company (Ltd)
- South Africa Section 53(B) Company
- South Africa External Partnership
- South Africa External Company (Branch)

South Africa Domestic Corporate Taxes

- South Africa Scope of Income Tax
- South Africa Income Tax Rates
- South Africa Calculation of Taxable Base
- South Africa Filing Requirements, Payment of Tax
- South Africa Withholding Taxes
- South Africa Sales Taxes and Vat

South Africa Tax-Efficient Regimes And Sectors

- South Africa Tax-Efficient Business Forms
- South Africa Tax-Privileged Business Sectors

South Africa Personal Taxes

- South Africa Residence and Liability for Taxation
- South Africa Rates of Income Tax
- South Africa Social Security Taxes
- South Africa Property Taxes and Stamp Duty
- South Africa Inheritance and Gift Taxes

South Africa Double Tax Treaties

- South Africa Introduction
- South Africa Table of Treaty Rates
- South Africa Other International Agreements

South Africa Table Of Statutes

- South Africa Table of Statutes

South Africa Services Directory

- Accounting/Auditing
- Asset Protection
- Aviation Services
- Banking Services
- Brokerage/Trading
- Captive Insurance
- Company Formation
- Corporate Services
- Expatriate Services
- Financial Planning
- Internet/E-Commerce
- Legal Services
- Marine Services
- Pensions/QROPS/QNUPS
- Tax Planning
- Trust Management
- Wealth Management

Related Information

- Map of South Africa
- Offshore Services Directory
- South Africa Summary of Domestic Tax Regime
- South Africa Taxation of Expatriates
- South Africa International Holding Companies
- South Africa Fiscal Incentives
- South Africa: The Industrial Development Corporation

South Africa Features

- Foreign Investment in South Africa - By Caroline Maxwell, London
This article examines South Africa's position in the international investment community in 2005. We look at the current business infrastructure, and the country's strengths, weaknesses, and growth areas.

- Investment Incentives in South Africa - By Caroline Maxwell, London
In this article we look at some of the major tax privileged investment opportunities offered by the South African government to encourage foreign direct investment.

- Outward Investment from South Africa - The Offshore Perspective - By Jason Gorringe, London
In this article, we look at the international investment possibilities for South African residents and corporations.

 

South Africa Comments

To ask a question or if you have an opinion you want to share: start a new thread, or reply to a thread below:

Visit the Lowtax Comments Home Page for more threads.


Topic: South Africa

South African citizen living in Mauritius

Please could I have advise on the below options plse

I'm a South African citizen who has bank investments earning interest in South Africa -if I'm living in Mauritius full time do I pay the rate of tax in South Africa for an individual or pay the Mauritian rate on the income earned from South African investment ?

Or If the bank investments are in the name of a trust in South Africa and im living in mauritius does the trust pay tax on the interst and then pays a dividend to me . If so Then do I pay further tax I'm Mauritius

Or is it better to open a bank account in the name of the south african trust / personal name and move the bank investment to Mauritius bank and earn interest there and then what tax rate will I pay in Mauritius trust personal .

Plse can I contact you  
Andrew

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Topic: South Africa

Tax implications when out of South Africa for 6 Months

Hi - I'm a Permanent Resident of South Africa and intend to live in Europe for min 6 Months every year. 1) Will I have to pay Tax in full in SA and eventually get a refund later for the 6 Months or more that I'll be out of the country, or 2) Can I avoid paying taxes in South Africa in full , or at least for the 6 months that I'll be abroad?  
Serban

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Topic: South Africa

SA residents earning from a foreign employer

What are the tax implications: individuals working for an offshore company, say in Hong Kong, but working in an African Company- eg Congo, if any. would really appreciate any assistance  
BB

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Topic: South Africa

Inheriting money from overseas

Hi, I have inherited some money from my parents in the UK. Its about R500 000 and I'd like to know if this is taxable when I bring it into SA. I also have a family trust in SA, so I'd like to know if it would be better to move it into that or my personal account.  
John

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Topic: South Africa

Reallocating back to South Africa but working for a U.S. based company

I have permanent residency in South Africa and planning to move back soon after a few years in the U.S.
Since I will be working as a contractor for my U.S. employer, I need professional advice, from a tax perspective, whether its best to receive the income into a U.S. based company that I will need to register OR is it best to register a South African company which will receive the income?
I am not familiar with the pros and cons of either option so any help will be greatly appreciated!  
Jakino

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Topic: South Africa

RE : ASSISTANCE, COACHING AND MENTORING IN CERTIFICATE IN TAXATION (BEGINNERS) - SOUTH AFRICA

I have actually registered for a cetificate in Taxation course, and really want to understand it, as I want to pursue a career in Taxation. But, I somehow experience problems with the calculations and really need assistance in order to understand this. I need someone who will be able to take me step by step. I really want to pass this course and looking forward to advancing to the Advance certificate level next year. Please help. Topics ranging from: Income Tax and deductions, Capital allowances, Capital gains, etc.

I be glad if I can get assistance in everything concerning the course, step by step approach. I need someone who will be able to give me support, who will be my coach and my mentor and simplify things for me for the whole year, someone I will be able to contact anytime, either by e-mail, telephone or face to face.

Regards,

Ntebo.
e-mail: ntebo.sabasaba@gmail.com or Nteboheng.Sabasaba@eskom.co.za

 
NTEBO

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Topic: South Africa

South African Resident working out of the country on an expat basis...

I am a South African Resident working in Africa. I am out of the country for 30 days and then home for 30 days. What are the SA TAX implications? I am not in possesion of an IRP5. Do I have to pay TAX in SA?  

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Topic: South Africa

Inward Investment Tax

Please can you let me know if I bring US $ into South African for invest will I pay tax on the money before I put the investment capital to work?
Thank you for your responce. Chris  

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Topic: South Africa

how invest in south africa through the offshore company?

how invest in south africa through the offshore company?  
larry

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Topic: South Africa

South Africa tax liability? confused.

I am a UK based individual contractor and run my own limited company.
Another UK based company has subcontracted an assignment to me which is based in South Africa. I would be paid by the UK company at a daily rate (in the UK) and the client (in South Africa) has agreed to bear all my costs - boarding, lodging, accomodation, food, etc.). The contract will last 12 months but I will be visiting UK every 3-4 months (for a week or two).
I will pay corporation/business tax and individual PAYE tax in the UK.
From my discussions with the UK based company, we feel that I won't be liable for any taxes in South Africa. Please can someone shed some light on this subject.
 
David

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Topic: South Africa

The Cost of Buying a Property in Australia?

We want to sell some of our property here in SA and use the money to buy something in Australia. We will still live and work in SA but will own an investment in Australia.
What extra taxes or charges do we need to be aware of here in SA and over in Australia when doing something like this? Are there any restrictive regulations we should know about?  
Simone

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Topic: South Africa

Tax Incentives for Edcon Holdings

Hi,I have constantly trying to find out if there are any tax incentives for edcon holdings as well as its competitor foshini group.But I have had no luck.Any Ideas???  
JJS

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Topic: South Africa

Tax of property

Hi,
I have a property in South Africa which I am in the process of selling. I do not live in SA. I do not have a SA income tax number as I am a British Citizen and have never worked in SA. Do I have to pay tax on it and if so how would one do that if I am not a SA citizen and have no tax particulars?

Regards  

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Topic: South Africa

RE : ASSISTANCE, COACHING AND MENTORING IN CERTIFICATE IN TAXATION (BEGINNERS) - SOUTH AFRICA

I have actually registered for a cetificate in Taxation course, and really want to understand it, as I want to pursue a career in Taxation. But, I somehow experience problems with the calculations and really need assistance in order to understand this. I need someone who will be able to take me step by step. I really want to pass this course and looking forward to advancing to the Advance certificate level next year. Please help. Topics ranging from: Income Tax and deductions, Capital allowances, Capital gains, etc.

I be glad if I can get assistance in everything concerning the course, step by step approach. I need someone who will be able to give me support, who will be my coach and my mentor and simplify things for me for the whole year, someone I will be able to contact anytime, either by e-mail, telephone or face to face.

Regards,

Ntebo.
e-mail: ntebo.sabasaba@gmail.com or Nteboheng.Sabasaba@eskom.co.za

 
NTEBO

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Topic: South Africa

Which way to go???

Can anyone give me some pointers on this dilemna and maybe the pros and cons? There may be a scenario that has not been considered which would be a better approach.

I am starting employment with a multi-national company in a pan-African Business Development role. I have a number of options in how I could be paid and am hoping that someone can shed some light on what would be the most effective (tax beneficial) to my bottom line. The scenarios are as follows:
1. I can be employed in South Africa and pay regular PAYE etc.
2. I can be employed out of the Seychelles and have money paid to me in any currency into any bank account. If I then transfer funds (all or just a percentage) to South Africa (to live on) I believe that I will have to declare this to SARS. In this approach I believe that I can claim against the earnings for things like office expenses, phone etc as a "Provisional Tax Payer".
3. I can be issued with 2 employment contracts: One contract where I am declared as a South African employee and paid a percentage of the total earnings in SA Rands and be subject to normal PAYE. And a second contract where I am employed as a Seychelles employee, paid the balance of the total salary in any currency into any bank account. Obviously should I wish to remit funds from the offshore account to South Africa this would have to be declared to SARS.

Are there any distinct dis/advantages to any of the above 3 approaches?
Many thanks in anticipation.  
GB

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Topic: South Africa

Starting a business

I am thinking about starting a business. I am a student and as such don't have much money laying around for all the advice. I think my business idea would be highly profitable and would like some advice on incorporating it offshore or onshore. I will probably make a few million ZAR a year which will then rise, if I am right about my idea.:-) With the new tax-avoidance law it doesn't look good to start offshore. At the beginning of the business's life, it will be just me, where I will then later expand in terms of HR. The business will mostly generate income worldwide, not just from South Africa.

Is their tax efficient (tax avoidance - the legal way of avoiding paying too much tax) options for starting my business offshore? (I am a South African citizen, South Africa is my place of residence).
Are their options that are tax efficient to starting a business offshore?
Will it be possible to remain in RSA and run the business?

Any opinions, websites, books, etc and advice will be welcomed.  
IsOffshorePossible

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