When last did you review your Will, or have you drafted a Will? As we start the new year, there is no better time to take the first step in planning ahead for the financial well-being of your loved ones, while you still can. One of the things you cannot control is how or when you will pass away. A Last Will and Testament is the final document you will… Read more
“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. Fortunately, what remains under your control is how this new year is approached and starting 2024 with a thorough understanding of the three metrics below will ensure that this could be… Read more
“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 are a nasty partnership that can, if managed badly, derail any small to medium enterprise. Their effects are felt in every area of the business and if they are not addressed correctly, high interest rates can have a significant impact… Read more
“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.” (SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter) Businesses are often required to share their tax compliance status, for example for a tender application, bidding process or prequalification as a supplier; to confirm that their tax affairs are in order with SARS; to receive payment; or for foreign investment… Read more
“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 do for years, if you are thinking of launching it in January 2024, then you have already made a wise decision. January is a popular month to officially launch new businesses, not just for those inspired by a New Year’s… Read more
05 January – Monthly Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) submissions and payments 24 January – End of Filing Season for Provisional taxpayers 24 January – End of Trusts Filing Season for taxpayers liable for provisional tax 30 January – Excise Duty payments 31 January – Value-Added Tax (VAT) electronic submissions and payments & CIT Provisional payments where applicable. Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No… Read more
“A real gift comes attached with ribbons, not strings.” (Raymond C Nolan) Most clients, suppliers and business associates will appreciate a thoughtful gift from your company, and the Festive Season is the most appropriate time to send such a gift. The challenge lies in selecting a gift that conveys genuine intentions to thank the recipients for the role they play in the success of your business, to strengthen the relationship… Read more
“Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.” (John D. Rockefeller Jr.) Most businesses want to show appreciation to their employees at the end of a long year’s work, and the “Season of Giving” is the ideal time. A thoughtful gift will make any employee feel more recognised and appreciated, and this will improve morale and enhance perceptions about the company and could even increase employee satisfaction… Read more
“If you do not know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere.” (Henry A. Kissinger) Creating a business plan is one of the most important processes when running a business. It is the roadmap for the success of any business and should include everything from cash flow planning to expansion strategies and the company’s mission statement. If you want to take out a loan a full-length plan… Read more
“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar” – Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States of America, 1861-1865 In a recent survey conducted by StandOutCV more than 50% of Americans admitted to lying on their CV. It’s a staggering number, and something that is taking place in a country where jobs are plentiful and finding work easy. Google searches on how to lie on a… Read more
7 December – Monthly Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) submissions and payments 28 December – Excise Duty payments 29 December – End of 3rd Financial Quarter 29 December – Value-Added Tax (VAT) electronic submissions and payments & CIT Provisional payments where applicable. Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising… Read more
It is important not to view estate planning as final stage financial planning designed to secure a financial legacy for your loved ones, but rather as an ongoing process of managing one’s assets and liabilities throughout your lifetime to ensure that your estate is designed to achieve both your lifetime goals and your objectives following your death. Ensuring estate liquidity Having sufficient funds available in your estate is crucial to… Read more
The Important Role of Beneficiary Nomination in Your Estate Plan Estate planning often involves various documents and considerations, from wills to trusts, but one crucial element that sometimes doesn’t receive the attention it deserves is beneficiary nomination. It’s a simple process, yet its implications are significant. The Power of Naming Beneficiaries When you set up financial products like life insurance policies, retirement accounts, or investment accounts, you have the power… Read more
“Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.” (Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) Small businesses often lose their talent to large companies simply because they can’t afford the kinds of salaries and incentives on offer at a global corporate. Keeping staff happy is, however, critical for business success. Here are five employee incentives that really work to… Read more
“…imposing administrative non-compliance penalties is to ensure the widest possible compliance with the provisions of a Tax Act … they are imposed impartially, consistently and proportionately to the seriousness and duration of the non-compliance.” (SARS) The Tax Administration Act stipulates that SARS can issue administrative penalties for outstanding tax returns. In previous years, penalties were only imposed on taxpayers with more than one tax return outstanding. Since December, due to changes in… Read more
“There are only two things in a business that make money – innovation and marketing, everything else is cost” (Peter Drucker, author) Running a business is never cheap and starting one up may be one of the most expensive things you ever do. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, most microbusinesses cost around R60 000 just to get to the point where you are ready to start operating. Clearly,… Read more
“The importance of the ability of taxpayers to challenge the legality of actions and decisions within the tax system is internationally recognised.” (Taxpayers’ Rights: Theory, Origin and Implementation) In South Africa, taxpayers have the right to dispute tax assessments, interest, late payment penalties, and administrative penalties for various taxes, including Personal Income Tax (PIT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Value-Added Tax (VAT), and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE). This is done by submitting requests such… Read more
7 November – Monthly Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) submissions and payments 29 November – Excise Duty payments 30 November – Value-Added Tax (VAT) electronic submissions and payments & CIT Provisional payments where applicable. Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact… Read more
Wills vs. Trusts: Deciding the Right Estate Planning Tool for You Estate planning – the words alone can often conjure images of complex legal documents and endless decisions. Yet, in truth, it’s about securing your legacy and ensuring your assets are handled precisely as you wish, even when you’re no longer around to oversee them. To fulfill this important task, two primary instruments, wills and trusts, take center stage. Understanding… Read more
Achieving Peace of Mind Through Financial Planning In today’s fast-paced world, finding peace of mind in your financial planning might seem like an elusive goal. However, it’s not as impossible as it may appear. Studies reveal that clients seek several key qualities in their financial advisor. They want a partner who provides a broad spectrum of reliable investment options, offers proactive and client-focused advice, and is genuinely… Read more