D-Day is here: SA expats in for a bumpy ride with SARS

South African legislation governing expatriate tax exemption is set to change dramatically from 1st March 2020, affecting South Africans worldwide. This includes anyone who has permanently settled in another country.
 
Those who do not comply with the new requirements face stiff penalties and risk up to two years in prison.
 
To help expatriates understand their obligations, local tax firm, Tax Consulting South Africa, held special workshops on the topic in the UAE and Qatar.
 
“The outstanding attendance at these presentations demonstrates that expatriates are desperate to avoid falling foul of the new law,” says Claudia Aires Apicella, Head of Financial Emigration at the firm.
 
The general consensus after the events was, there are still many expatriates out there with their head in the sand regarding the change in legislation and therefore, failing to make proper arrangements to ensure that they are compliant and following proper procedure.
 
What’s changed?
The current Income Tax Act provides that if a South African in employed by either a local or foreign employer and renders services to them outside South African for longer than 183 days in any 12 month period, being continuously abroad for 60 of those days, their remuneration earned during that time shall be exempt from taxation by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
 
From 1st March 2020, the conditions for exemption remain the same. However, only the first R1 million in remuneration will be exempt, with earnings above that threshold being subject tax at a rate of up to 45%, payable to SARS.
 
Now what?
It is imperative that South African expatriates get themselves acquainted with the law and how it will affect them and avoid being fish bait to the many dodgy investment and aggressive tax schemes being punted at them.
 
The lack of knowledge has also led to a number of expatriates being misinformed by SARS agents and inexperienced tax practitioners that, should they wish to return to South Africa upon retirement, they are required to reintegrate to the country, while remaining compliant. This is, however, untrue and misleading.
 
There are a number of options available that could assist in alleviating the tax burden of expatriates whilst ensuring that they remain compliant. These include Financial Emigration and Double Tax Agreements (“DTA”) signed between two countries. These are safe and compliant planning options that help expats lessen their tax burden.
 
Financial Emigration has been recognized and confirmed by SARS as a process in which one can cease their tax residency in South Africa, should one have a permanent or long-term intention to remain outside of South Africa on a permanent basis. On the other hand, the DTA is used in the instances where individuals who have the intention to return to South Africa or who are simply uncertain about their intention to return.
 
It is important to note, however, that these options are specific and need to be applied on a case by case basis.
 
The trip revealed and confirmed just how diverse the circumstances of South African expatriates living abroad are and are yet in the same boat when it comes to their tax affairs. Nevertheless, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the amendment of the legislation.
 
All in all there are a handful of South Africans becoming more informed but there are many out there who are still looking for guidance in these uncertain times, which the workshops aim to provide. The firm intends to travel to other MENA countries to hold more workshops on the new expatriate tax law change.
 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Rosa-Mari Le Roux, 060 995 6277, rosa-mari@thatpoint.co.za, www.atthatpoint.co.za
 
ABOUT Tax Consulting SA:
Tax Consulting SA offers a streamlined service in the calculation and filing of individual income tax returns, provisional income tax returns or any other more complex individual tax relate matters. Our highly qualified team of Tax practitioners are registered with SARS under controlling body of the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT). As tax specialists, we remove the burden from clients to keep their tax affairs in good order, achieving optimal tax savings while ensuring full compliance.
 
For more information on Tax Consulting please visit:
Website:  http://www.taxconsulting.co.za/
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