News

Knowing Your SARS Status Matters: Here is Why a Tax Diagnostic Report is Essential For many taxpayers, especially expatriates, managing South African tax obligations from a distance can be complicated. Years may pass without any direct interaction with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and key details such as contact information, banking details, and tax

SARS Coming After Foreign Retirement Funds South Africans who have worked abroad and accumulated foreign retirement funds, or foreign nationals who become South African tax residents, need to urgently be aware that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) now wants taxing rights on their foreign retirement funds. This proposed amendment is set to come into

SARS Latest Notice to Non-Resident Taxpayers: Here is What You Need to Know On 28 July 2025 the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued another notice specifically aimed at South Africans abroad concerning their tax residency status. It deals with how an individual who is a non-resident taxpayer on the SARS system, should complete their

The When, How and Why for Expatriates Considering Leaving the South African Tax Net The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is not beating around the bush with sharpening its focus on South African expatriate taxpayers as part of efforts to curb non-compliance that contributes to billions in lost tax revenue annually. Recent enhancements to SARS’

Everyday Online Subscriptions and Shopping Can Push South Africans Over Their Offshore Spending Limit For South African residents and expatriates living abroad, reaching the R1 million annual limit of offshore spending allowed under exchange control regulations, can happen far more quickly than expected. This can soon land them in hot water with the South African

SARS Sharpens Scrutiny of Expatriate SA Tax Residents South African expatriates living and working abroad are firmly in the Tax Man’s sights. Recent enhancements clearly indicate the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is increasing its focus on the importance of expatriates legally confirming the basis on which they cease their tax residency status in South

Coming Home? SARS Tightens Record-Keeping for Returning Expats The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced enhancements to its record-keeping of taxpayers’ tax residency status this coming tax filing season, taking direct aim at returning South African expatriates. This move sends a clear message to expats who previously ceased tax residency that their re-entry into

Leaving SA does not abruptly end all one’s dealings here, but the devil is in the detail It is not to say that all South Africans who have started a new life overseas – whether for an extended period or permanently – have or want to sever all ties with their country of birth. Many

DO SOUTH AFRICAN EXPATS RETURN HOME FOR THE BRAAIS? The fact that several countries abroad do not let you have a braai whenever and wherever you want, is not on its own the reason why South African expats return home after many years abroad. But when added to factors like cultural differences, the lack of

Project AmaBillions | Being abroad won’t save you from SARS’ collection efforts Being abroad won’t save you from SARS’ collection efforts As the upcoming tax filing season approaches, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is reportedly ramping up a major initiative aimed at recovering outstanding tax debt including from taxpayers living abroad. READ MORE John-Paul