Migration news
Foreign employment income exemption increase for SA expats
The amendment to the foreign employment income exemption that was introduced in 2019 is effective from 1 March 2020. However, the initially proposed exemption limit of R1 million will increase to R1,25 million, according to South Africa’s 2020 budget. Treasury is...
Emigration: The costs of leaving South Africa
"18 not-so-obvious costs that you may want to consider before deciding on emigration." By Craig Torr - Crue Invest (Pty) Ltd The decision to emigrate to a foreign country is never one taken lightly. From a financial planning perspective, there is an enormous amount...
New tax rule for South Africans working abroad
National Treasury has changed the provision in the tax law that exempts South African tax residents from paying tax on income from foreign employment. Currently, anyone who renders services outside of South Africa for more than 183 days in a 12-month period, including...
Important considerations when using exchange control regulated allowances
By Amanda Visser South Africans are increasingly making use of their discretionary and foreign investment allowances to move funds offshore. The South African Reserve Bank controls the in- and outflow of capital through exchange control regulations. Over the years,...
Earning rental income from a South African property
All people, both South Africans and foreigners have to file income tax returns in South Africa if they earn rental income from South African properties that earn rental income. It does not matter that a person is for example living in Germany and declaring the income...
Brexit and the EU Settlement Scheme
Brexit has overwhelmed the UK political and immigration landscape over the past months. The much anticipated Brexit took place on 31 January 2020, but not much has changed. Not much anyway that will affect the UK immigration. There is now a transition period in place,...
South Africans working abroad may in future face double taxation
By Amanda Visser South Africans working abroad may be subjected to double taxation if the latest draft interpretation note on foreign sourced income is not reconsidered. South African expats already face a less favourable tax regime with the foreign income tax...
Emigrating? How to help your children adapt
Kate Berger, Child Psychologist, says communication is the cornerstone of any family who must adapt in a new environment. This means that you will have to talk to your children about what their fears are and what they are looking forward to. This also means that you...
Rash decisions to soften tax blow on foreign income can be expensive
By Amanda Visser South Africans living and working abroad have about six months left to deal efficiently with the fundamental change in the way their foreign income will be taxed in future. The foreign income exemption – Section 10(1)(o)(ii) of the Income Tax Act –...
Plans for South African students to remain two years after graduation
The UK government is planning a range of new immigration options to attract and retain more talent in the UK. One of these proposed immigration routes will enable South African students who study in the UK to remain in the UK for an additional two years after their...
Column: Home Affairs Inquiries
Can foreign citizens apply for a smart ID card? Permanent residency permit holders (foreign citizens who have been living in South Africa on a temporary permit for more than 5 years and now received permanent residence) do not qualify for a new smart ID card. However,...
Column: How to maintain your South African citizenship
Many South Africans unwittingly lose their South African citizenship when they apply for another citizenship abroad, without first obtaining permission from the South African Department of Home Affairs to retain the South African citizenship. The citizenship can only...
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