SA taxes/efiling and recent emigration

[Archer]

I am at my wits end, I have little confidence in completing the darn efiling forms correctly, whereas while I was in SA it was really so simple. Is there anyone that has emigrated recently that can shed some light into how I should be completing the efiling wizard correctly, or otherwise a contact with a trustworthy tax practitioner? If I can just know how to do that I'm sure I can fill out the rest without much hassle.

I'm struggling with:

1. Have you ceased to be a resident during the year of assessment? I would say yes but then I confuse myself thinking about whether they are asking about tax residency vs just normal residency
2. Did you receive remuneration for any foreign services rendered? Well I've been working in NL since two days after I left SA so this is an obvious yes I hope?
   1. Following this it seems like I'd have to enter my converted salary into "amounts accrued to you as a deemed resident of another country"

 

[reactor_sa]

I'm trying taxconsulting.co.za, I think they know what they doing but some speed on their part would be nice considering the fees they charge.
Good luck, we probably both need more of it than we have.

 

[Archer]

Nobody else with experience or a suggestion?

 

[FuLL_MeT4L]

It depends on your circumstances and there isn't a one-size fits all for this. I'm in a similar boat and did many weeks of research and consulted with a CA in South Africa before completing mine this year. I'd recommend you speak to a tax practitioner before submitting your return.

 

[AchmatK]

I am at my wits end, I have little confidence in completing the darn efiling forms correctly, whereas while I was in SA it was really so simple. Is there anyone that has emigrated recently that can shed some light into how I should be completing the efiling wizard correctly, or otherwise a contact with a trustworthy tax practitioner? If I can just know how to do that I'm sure I can fill out the rest without much hassle.

I'm struggling with:

1. Have you ceased to be a resident during the year of assessment? I would say yes but then I confuse myself thinking about whether they are asking about tax residency vs just normal residency
2. Did you receive remuneration for any foreign services rendered? Well I've been working in NL since two days after I left SA so this is an obvious yes I hope?
   1. Following this it seems like I'd have to enter my converted salary into "amounts accrued to you as a deemed resident of another country"

1. When did you leave SA? This will be used to determine if are no longer a tax resident. They are referring to tax residency in this question.

2. When did you receive the remuneration? If it was sitting the tax year under assessment then, yes.

All foreign currency amounts are converted to ZAR on your tax return.

 

[Archer]

1. When did you leave SA? This will be used to determine if are no longer a tax resident. They are referring to tax residency in this question.

2. When did you receive the remuneration? If it was sitting the tax year under assessment then, yes.

All foreign currency amounts are converted to ZAR on your tax return.

28 September 2018, which from my understanding then should mean I am a tax resident for this previous tax year. Why they don't just phrase it like that who knows?! grumble grumble
I'm still waiting to hear back from two separate tax practitioners, either my questions are too difficult or they don't want my money

 

[RVQ]

28 September 2018, which from my understanding then should mean I am a tax resident for this previous tax year. Why they don't just phrase it like that who knows?! grumble grumble
I'm still waiting to hear back from two separate tax practitioners, either my questions are too difficult or they don't want my money

For the 2018/2019 tax year you were a resident of South Africa as you spent 7 months in country (183 day rule), so you do not check the little box that says you ceased to be a resident, it also means you have to declare your worldwide income and pay taxes for all of it in South Africa.

There is a DTA in place with NL and you should not have to pay taxes for the same tax period over there as you will simply state the DTA in those tax forms and prove residence to be SA

 

[reactor_sa]

For the 2018/2019 tax year you were a resident of South Africa as you spent 7 months in country (183 day rule), so you do not check the little box that says you ceased to be a resident, it also means you have to declare your worldwide income and pay taxes for all of it in South Africa.

There is a DTA in place with NL and you should not have to pay taxes for the same tax period over there as you will simply state the DTA in those tax forms and prove residence to be SA

I don't believe that is correct either. If you became a ordinary resident in another country during the tax year then why would you not tick that box? You don't have to even be a tax resident or ordinary resident to be liable for tax. From what I understand, a DTA takes preference over any local tax laws.

 

[RVQ]

I don't believe that is correct either. If you became a ordinary resident in another country during the tax year then why would you not tick that box? You don't have to even be a tax resident or ordinary resident to be liable for tax. From what I understand, a DTA takes preference over any local tax laws.

He is not an NL resident, ordinary or other for 2018/2019 he remains a resident of South Africa and must pay all taxes to SA and none to NL

If in 2019/2020 he spends no or minimal time in SA with absolutely no intention of permanently returning potentially proven by selling primary residence, disposed of other assets and moved wife and kids with him then he would cease to be a resident of SA, he then gets to check the little tick box

Complications arise in cases like when adding a third area of jurisdiction e.g. he spends 120 days in SA, 120 days in NL and 120 days say in NZ while earning in all three areas or high net individuals with large investment portfolios across the world, etc.... then you make things complicated and need to worry about all this stuff

The DTA is typically the trump card but in this case for the 2018/2019 tax year it will say pay SA all taxes owed...

 

[phiber]

I am at my wits end, I have little confidence in completing the darn efiling forms correctly, whereas while I was in SA it was really so simple. Is there anyone that has emigrated recently that can shed some light into how I should be completing the efiling wizard correctly, or otherwise a contact with a trustworthy tax practitioner? If I can just know how to do that I'm sure I can fill out the rest without much hassle.

I'm struggling with:

1. Have you ceased to be a resident during the year of assessment? I would say yes but then I confuse myself thinking about whether they are asking about tax residency vs just normal residency
2. Did you receive remuneration for any foreign services rendered? Well I've been working in NL since two days after I left SA so this is an obvious yes I hope?
   1. Following this it seems like I'd have to enter my converted salary into "amounts accrued to you as a deemed resident of another country"

1. Early on in the form it asks if you ceased being a resident, say yes, pick the date you left ZA.

2. If you did work in ZA for a foreign company, pick yes. If you work overseas as you relocated there, then pick no.

The end result should be, you pay taxes on all ZA incomes and foreign incomes while you were in ZA. On all foreign incomes post the day you left, you dont pay taxes. Confirm this with the calculate returns button.

 

[reactor_sa]

He is not an NL resident, ordinary or other for 2018/2019 he remains a resident of South Africa and must pay all taxes to SA and none to NL

If in 2019/2020 he spends no or minimal time in SA with absolutely no intention of permanently returning potentially proven by selling primary residence, disposed of other assets and moved wife and kids with him then he would cease to be a resident of SA, he then gets to check the little tick box

Complications arise in cases like when adding a third area of jurisdiction e.g. he spends 120 days in SA, 120 days in NL and 120 days say in NZ while earning in all three areas or high net individuals with large investment portfolios across the world, etc.... then you make things complicated and need to worry about all this stuff

The DTA is typically the trump card but in this case for the 2018/2019 tax year it will say pay SA all taxes owed...

You must work for SARS, just assuming SARS is king of the tax men....