“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.” (Winston Churchill) Can you believe November is upon us already? But instead of panicking about Christmas presents, it’s time to get strategic. The end of the year presents a crucial opportunity to settle outstanding matters, measure your business's progress, and establish a strong foundation […]
“Trustees remain accountable for all tax matters of a trust, regardless of the economic activity of the trust.” (SARS) The official trust filing season for the 2025 year of assessment is now open for both provisional and non-provisional taxpayers – and SARS has issued stern warnings to trustees to fulfil their tax obligations. Who must […]
“The key is not to prioritise what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” (Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) In business it’s too easy for an entrepreneur or business leader to mistake being busy for being effective. Working long hours with back-to-back meetings can look like productivity – but […]
“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” (Benjamin Franklin) Extending 30-, 60- or 90-day payment terms may seem like a simple trick to help your sales teams convert sales, smooth negotiations and boost customer service. What you may not recognise, though, is that those terms are not neutral commercial niceties […]
“Profile hijacking points to pervasive cybercrime with global links.” (Edward Kieswetter, SARS Commissioner) The Tax Ombud has again warned South Africans about the concerning increase in eFiling profile hijackings, which has spurred the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) to launch a survey of taxpayers' experiences and a systemic investigation into SARS. What is eFiling […]
“Paying yourself isn’t selfish, it’s sustainable. The goal is to strike a balance that supports your personal life without compromising the growth of your company.” (Salim Omar, CPA and serial entrepreneur) Many founders see skipping their own salary as a noble way to fund growth. In reality, underpaying yourself often backfires. Research shows that 82% […]
“Taking bold action on climate change simply makes good business sense. It's also the right thing to do for people and the planet.” (Richard Branson) Climate change impacts the fundamentals of business operations. Rising heat affects productivity, floods and storms damage infrastructure, droughts disrupt supply chains, and new regulations increase compliance costs. Many leaders still […]
“Accounting is the language of business.” (Warren Buffett) Increasingly, banks and other organisations are requiring businesses to submit up-to-date management accounts when applying for finance. This is because these compact financial reports enable business analysis even when the latest annual financial statements are not yet available. Management accounts also offer owners and managers timely, accurate […]
“Life is short, there is no time to leave important words unsaid.” (Paulo Coelho, Author) Having “the last word” is defined as having “the final decision-making power or authority in a matter.” South Africans have the right to have the last word about how their assets are disposed after their passing – but exercising this […]
“Finance is effectively the rhythm section of a company. It creates the company cadence that every company needs.” (John Baule, CPA and ecommerce expert) You can’t grow a business without a clear handle on your numbers. But too many business owners still confuse bookkeeping and accounting. These roles do have some overlap, but they serve […]
“He said that there was death and taxes, and taxes were worse, because at least death didn’t happen to you every year.” (Terry Pratchett) In SARS jargon, a ‘systemic issue’ is the underlying cause of a complaint that affects many taxpayers. These systemic issues may have to do with the way SARS systems function, how […]
“Financial planning causes a struggle between the rational brain and the emotional brain.” (Michael C. Finke, author of Money Management Skills) You didn’t start your business to become a psychologist. But understanding the way emotions creep into your decisions could be the difference between plain sailing and struggling to stay afloat. Entrepreneurs are often painted […]
“People with limited understanding of business think that it’s all about making profits. But those who actually run businesses know that it’s all about managing cash flows.” (Cedric Chin, entrepreneur and management training consultant) Most business owners aren’t careless with money. They obsess over profit margins and expenses, and carefully analyse their bank balances. Over […]
“Transactions or speculation in crypto assets are subject to the general principles of South African tax law and taxed accordingly.” (SARS) A staggering 5.8 million South Africans hold a crypto asset, with Southern Africa boasting the largest uptake of Bitcoin in the world. SARS has not failed to notice the phenomenal growth of various digital […]
“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities.” (Michele Jennae, business coach and author) Most entrepreneurs know they should be building a network, but not many know this should be a core business strategy. Building and maintaining the right relationships can lead to […]
“A director must… act in good faith and for a proper purpose; in the best interests of the company; and with the degree of care, skill and diligence that may reasonably be expected…” (Companies Act of 2008) The first Guideline for 2025 issued by the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) aimed to “sensitise directors […]
“My sincere gratitude goes to the compliant taxpayers and traders who have continuously played their part in building our country. Ndza khenza.” (SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter) Tax Filing Season 2025 officially opens on 7 July this year. This covers the 2024/2025 year of assessment: the period between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025. During […]
“Too many businesses only realise the value of intellectual capital when a key person leaves – or a competitor copies what they’ve built.” (Alicia Mendes, author of Futureproofing Through People) In the rush to raise capital, improve profitability or streamline efficiency, business owners often miss what truly drives their success: the knowledge, relationships, and systems […]
“We accept the responsibility to achieve the 2025/26 revenue estimate presented by the Finance Minister Mr Enoch Godongwana.” (SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter) Removing the contentious proposed VAT increases from Budget 3.0 led to a shortfall in revenue that necessitated new revenue sources. One of these is the inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for petrol […]
“Defining your target market is about understanding motivations, challenges, and goals. Without this, your messaging falls flat and your marketing budget burns fast." (Elena Kwan, Founder of MarketLens Consulting) Fundamentally, businesses start because business owners believe they see a gap and aim to fill it. Their target market is built into the essence of the […]
"The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall." (Denis Healey, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer) The line between tax avoidance and tax evasion can sometimes appear blurry, especially in complex transactions or fierce tax planning strategies. The comparison below is a good starting point: What is tax avoidance? […]
“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” (Simon Sinek) Employee engagement. It determines so much about the direction of a company, its staff productivity and how likely it is to succeed. According to a Gallup poll just 23% of South African employees are actively […]
“Trust the young people; trust this generation's innovation. They're making things, changing innovation every day.” (Jack Ma, Co-Founder Alibaba Group) South African businesses are always looking for ways to foster growth and innovation while still reducing costs. One way to achieve both is to employ young people. Young workers bring unique advantages that can […]
“Mixing personal and business finances might seem harmless, but it’s a costly mistake that can lead to tax headaches, legal risks, and financial chaos.” (Amanda Painter) Mixing personal and business finances is so easy, particularly at the beginning. The company needs something, but money hasn’t come in, so you extend a small loan. You pay […]
Last month’s Budget 3.0 withdrew the contentious proposed VAT changes. This resulted in inflation-linked fuel levy increases of 16c for petrol and 15c for diesel, from 4 June. Other tax proposals from March’s Budget – including static personal tax thresholds, reduced transfer duties, and sin tax increases – remain unchanged. The tax measures contained in […]
“In 2025/26, SARS will focus on addressing the tax gap to improve revenue collection.” (National Treasury Budget Review) With additional funding from National Treasury, SARS will now be better positioned than ever to collect the estimated R800 billion in unpaid taxes which SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has identified as a better alternative than a VAT […]
“Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” (John F. Kennedy, former US president) Humans are creatures of habit. We form opinions and sets of actions that we use as shorthand […]
“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.” (James Allen) The world of work has never felt less stable. Between high unemployment rates, a quicksand political environment, the gig economy and the introduction of new disruptive technologies (and tariffs!) almost daily, it’s no surprise that recent […]
“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” (Richard Branson) Whether you call it May Day, Labour Day or International Workers’ Day, 1 May is an opportune time for businesses to consider and prioritise their workers. Here's why happy workers are […]
“… the economy needs to grow much faster and in an inclusive manner. This is the central objective of the current administration.” (Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana – Budget 2025) The tabling of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s fourth Budget in February was marked by an unprecedented three-week postponement, following a deadlock around the original Budget proposal […]
Budget 2025, if adopted by Parliament, will effectively bring about an increase in personal income tax by not adjusting the tables for tax rates, rebates and credits, while also implementing substantial increases in ‘sin’ taxes and introducing a 0.5% VAT increase on 1 May 2025 and another 0.5% increase effective 1 April 2026. This selection […]
"A tax professional is someone who solves a problem you didn't know you had in a way you don't understand." (Carl Ally, adapted from a quote about architects) With tax compliance scrutiny intensifying and SARS increasing its detection capabilities with “the latest technology, artificial intelligence, and data science”, South African businesses face mounting pressure to […]
“Reviews aren't just about feedback, they're about building a relationship with your customers." (Oprah Winfrey) According to a recent survey, 91% of people regularly or occasionally read online reviews, and 84% trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation from a friend. There’s no doubt that reviews are having a moment. The challenge comes […]
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” (Albert Einstein) Change can be uncomfortable and often we humans love to avoid it. In business, however, being brave enough to embrace change could be the difference between going under and thriving. All business owners should be constantly on the lookout for opportunities to improve their […]
“When taxpayers are aggrieved by an assessment or a decision that is subject to objection and appeal, they have a right to dispute it.” (SARS) As a taxpayer in South Africa, you have the right to dispute tax assessments, if you have valid reason to disagree with SARS on the interpretation of either the relevant […]
“He who buys what he does not need, steals from himself.” (Swedish Proverb) Many think of corporate travel expenses as being a non-negotiable, and expensive part of doing business. The thing is, it is possible to cut back on travel expenses without cutting out the necessary requirements and little luxuries. Here are our four top […]
“I do not gather things, I prefer to rent them rather than to possess them.” (Jerzy Kosinski, Polish-American writer) Deciding whether to buy or lease equipment can sometimes seem like an impossible choice. There are so many factors at play that it can feel like whatever you do will be wrong. We’ve put together a […]
“Death, taxes, and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.” (Margaret Mitchell) What is provisional tax? Provisional tax allows corporate and individual provisional taxpayers to pay their annual income tax in advance by making two or three payments during a tax year. The aim is to prevent taxpayers from facing large income […]
“As an entrepreneur, one of the biggest challenges you will face will be building your brand. The ultimate goal is to set your company and your brand apart from the crowd.” (Ryan Holmes, Founder and CEO of Hootsuite) Trying to get a business off the ground is challenging. Every step of the process requires a […]
“It sounds extraordinary, but it's a fact that balance sheets can make fascinating reading.” (Mary Archer) A balance sheet reveals a company’s “book value” by showing what assets it owns, what liabilities it owes, and the equity or net worth attributable to its owners, at a specific point in time. Because all resources or assets […]
“The unfortunate need people who will be kind to them; the prosperous need people to be kind to.” (Aristotle) Strategic business partnerships are an integral part of any successful business and yet very few entrepreneurs think of the opportunities which arise from partnering with non-profit organisations. Collaborating with NGOs and charities has been shown to […]
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” (Colin Powell, United States Secretary of State) Of course you plan for your business to grow. But in an environment of constant change, it can be hard to know where to place your energy. These three focus […]
"Being tax compliant and ‘paying your fair share’ is not just good for you, but also contributes to the positive growth of our country’s economy which in turn benefits all South Africans." (SARS) Being tax-compliant is a legal requirement for all South Africans. SARS says it will be unrelenting in driving voluntary compliance in pursuing […]
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” (Antoine De Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince) Want to start a business? SARS warns you to be aware of the tax obligations of running a business, whether it’s in the form of a legal entity or in your personal capacity. Considering the tax implications before […]
“There's life and death in every email.” (Bill Gates) Over the past 25 years, email has become synonymous with office life: a recent study found that the average worker sends between 9,000 and 15,000 emails a year. All of this is happening despite email being fundamentally flawed in multiple ways that choke businesses and, in […]
“In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” (Warren Buffett) Every business should conduct an extensive review of its business operations at least once a year. Doing a review allows you to track your company’s progress towards achieving its goals, to evaluate current strategies, practices and operations, and to determine […]
“If you can laugh together, you can work together” (Robert Orben) There’s no requirement or obligation for companies to host a year-end party for employees, clients or suppliers. This is true even if there’s a company tradition of an end-of-year bash, or where there may be expectations of a year-end party for clients or suppliers […]
“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” (Henry Ford) Without revenue targets, businesses are unable to measure their performance against past years, reward employees, or accurately forecast and plan. Targets set by leaders for individuals or teams can shape morale and expectations for employees and bring accountability to team actions. […]
“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” (Albert Einstein) With an increasing amount of business being conducted online, it’s perfectly possible to live in one country and earn an income in another. If you are conducting services for global corporations and earning foreign income in another country, you could get […]
“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” (Stephen R. Covey, author of ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’) Good business leaders recognise that regular employee performance reviews play a vital role in improving transparency, identifying talent, and enhancing performance – yet often this process is handled in a […]
“Accounting is the bridge between financial chaos and structured prosperity.” (Amanda Green) International Accounting Day is celebrated on November 10 every year. The day is all about acknowledging the role of accountants in supporting businesses and the economy – at local, national and global levels. Accountants supporting the economy Accountants are integral to any economy, […]
“Many companies have forgotten they sell to actual people. Humans care about the entire experience, not just marketing, sales, or service.” (Dharmesh Shah, CTO and co-founder, HubSpot) Brand awareness is at the heart of building a successful business. If your target customers, and the public at large don’t know who you are, you might as […]
“Over the next few years, we are also implementing a global minimum corporate tax to limit the negative effects of tax competition.” (Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance, Budget 2024) There have been significant shifts in the corporate income tax landscape in South Africa and globally. Recent trends noted by the OECD and The Tax Foundation […]
“Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.” (Benjamin Franklin) When a company is struggling with cashflow, or simply looking to improve profitability, the directors will often consider making grand sweeping changes like retrenching staff, slashing the marketing budget or even selling off resources. While this kind of kneejerk reaction can […]
“…it is vital that all stakeholders in the digital ecosystem, including the taxpayers, SARS, and the banks, work together to prevent and combat profile hijacking.” (SARS) The recent spike in the number of SARS eFiling profiles being hacked by cybercriminals should raise red flags for every taxpayer. It’s got so bad that the Minister of […]
“Your brand is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” (Jeff Bezos) You have a great product or service that fills a need. You are doing your marketing. Your accountant has helped you streamline your cashflow and provided you with your financial forecasts. You are well aware of the risks […]
“The interim reconciliation process has become an integral part of the employer reconciliation and assists employers…” (SARS) Employers are assisted by the interim EMP501 reconciliation, says SARS, because it makes it easier to: make more accurate annual reconciliation submissions maintain an up-to-date employee database register employees for income tax purposes Of course, there are other […]
“There are no shortcuts when it comes to getting out of debt.” (Dave Ramsey, finance journalist and author) Most businesses have debt of some kind or another. Whether you need help to buy stock, maintain equipment or even fund a property, it’s likely that at some stage in your business’ life you will need to […]
“The two-pot system is meant to support long-term retirement savings while offering flexibility to help fund members in financial distress.” (National Treasury) With two new pots added to what used to be the one-pot South African retirement system, fund members can now access a portion of their retirement savings before retirement, while still preserving savings […]
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and 5 minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you will do things differently.” (Warren Buffett) During tough economic times it can be tempting to illegally cut corners, hire staff at lower salaries, or avoid paying taxes you know you should be paying. The unethical […]
“A Trust is a ‘person’ for tax purposes and is therefore a taxpayer in its own right.” (SARS) With Tax Season 2024 for trusts opening on 16 September, there’s no better time to draw trustees’ attention to SARS’ continued emphasis that all trusts must register for income tax purposes, including dormant trusts. Once registered, trusts […]
“The hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax.” (Albert Einstein) Tax rebates, deductions and incentives provide relief to taxpayers by reducing the amount of tax payable
“Artificial intelligence is just a new tool, one that can be used for good and for bad purposes and one that comes with new dangers and downsides as well.” (Sarah
“We urge taxpayers to be transparent and accurate when filing their tax returns to enable a constructive relationship with SARS.” (Edward Kieswetter, SARS Commissioner) July 15 marked the start of
“Employee orientation centres around and exists to help the individual employee, but it is the company that ultimately reaps the benefits of this practice.” (Michael Watkins, author of “The First
“We can in fact change the world and make of it a better place.” (Nelson Mandela) Rolihlahla Mandela was born into the Madiba clan in Mvezo, Transkei, on 18 July
“The aim of a tax audit is to determine if the taxpayer has complied with the relevant legislation administered by SARS.” (SARS) During a tax audit, SARS examines financial statements, accounting
“People want to know they matter and they want to be treated as people. That’s the new talent contract.” (Pamela Stroko, Vice President, HCM Transformation & Thought Leadership at Oracle
“One of the fun things about venture capital is you are constantly learning new ideas and strategies from one business and then applying them to others.” (Joe Lonsdale, technology entrepreneur
“The employment tax incentive is aimed at encouraging employers to hire young and less experienced work seekers.” (SARS Employers ETI Guide) With Youth Day celebrations
“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” (John F. Kennedy) The world of work is changing, rapidly. With more teams made up of diverse people from a wide variety
“Fraud and deceit are anxious for your money. Be informed and prudent” (John Andreas Widtsoe, scientist, author and religious leader) While accountants have become adept at spotting and preventing financial
“The Compensation Fund is mandated to provide social security to the injured-on-duty employees and those who contracted diseases at the workplace.” (Compensation Fund Annual Report 2021/2022)
“Failure by an employer to comply with its obligations does not only harm that employer and the fiscus, but also employees. SARS vigorously pursues employers that fail to comply.” (SARS) Employers
“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.”- (Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company) Data from StatsSA has shown that more than 1,500 businesses closed their
“It is imperative that ALL companies and close corporations ensure compliance with the beneficial ownership filing requirements, to ensure good corporate governance and business continuity.”
“The Internet is a worldwide platform for sharing information. It is a community of common interests. No country is immune to such global challenges as cybercrime, hacking, and invasion of
“The cold, harsh reality is that we have to balance the budget.” (Michael Bloomberg, former New York City Mayor) Budget shortfalls are not uncommon across the public and private sectors,
“Find the right price for an irresistible offer, which, by the way, isn’t necessarily the lower price.” ― (W. Chan Kim, Business strategy advisor and author) A good businessperson pays
“People are not your most important asset. The right people are.” (Jim Collins, author, speaker and consultant) Knowing whether to hire a freelancer or full-time employee for any particular role is
“[The new requirements] enable… a more efficient process to make deductions available
“Our bigger challenge… is that our pie is not growing fast enough and this limits our ability to generate sufficient revenues
Budget 2024 effectively brought an increase in personal income tax by not adjusting the tables for tax rates, rebates and medical tax credits, while also implementing substantial increases in ‘sin’
“It’s far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price, than a fair company at a wonderful price.”- (Warren Buffett, investor, businessman and philanthropist) When buying a small
“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training them and having them stay.” – (Henry Ford, Founder, Ford Motor Company) In a world
“Provisional tax is merely a mechanism to pay the normal income tax liability during the tax year… an advance payment of a taxpayer’s normal tax liability.” (SARS) To provisional taxpayers,
“Never take your eyes off the cash flow because it’s the lifeblood of business” (Sir Richard Branson, entrepreneur, investor, and author) Cash is king, said one anonymous business genius.
“Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people.” (Steve Jobs) There are many benefits to having a great team, nd these have been backed up by scientific research around the world.
“At least 40% of all businesses will die in the next 10 years… if they don’t figure out how to change their entire company to accommodate new technologies.” John Chambers,
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” (Peter Drucker) Facing what may well be another tough year, company owners and managers will be well aware that many of the external challenges will be beyond their control.
“Inflation is bringing us true democracy. For the first time in history, luxuries and necessities are selling at the same price.” (Robert Orben, comedian and writer) Interest rates and inflation
“SARS is willing and ready to assist taxpayers who want to be compliant. Where taxpayers willfully and intentionally ignore their legal obligations, SARS will act sternly.”
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” (Walt Disney) Whether starting a business is your New Year’s resolution or something you have been waiting to
