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What documents do you need to submit with your Tax Compliance Status (TCS) in respect of emigration?
Updates made to the exchange control rules in 2021 by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have shifted the focus from formal emigration to tax emigration. Tax emigration brings the South African Revenue Service (SARS) into the picture, and you will need to show the...
Afrikaans is lekker 2022
Living abroad has its challenges, not least the challenge of indescribable homesickness. Unfortunately, no matter where you choose to settle on the other side of the ocean, chances are there are days when you just wish to be home. Surrounded by the friends and family...
Six of the best countries for expats to retire to from South Africa
Whether your retirement is just around the corner or you’re thinking long-term, we’ve put together a list of expat-friendly retirement destinations for South Africans. Retiring overseas is becoming an increasingly popular decision, as more people choose to start the...
Don Pedro
What do the words Don Pedro evoke for you? Perhaps you can’t resist the urge to correct it to Dom Pedro, or maybe you’re pondering on when last you had one. Chances are you’re getting nostalgic and thinking fondly of this truly South African drink. Don Pedro What is...
Aleit Swanepoel
Another massive loss to the South African community happened just a while ago – and the pain of such a loss of another famous South African still stings the hearts and minds of many. Who are we talking about? We’re talking about Aleit Swanepoel. To say that the entire...
Early access to your South African pension fund – yes or no?
Whether it’s for retirement or unexpected emergencies, saving isn’t easy. Often, South Africans prioritise one saving goal at the expense of the other. But what if there was a way for people to do both? Proposed legislative amendments would like to make this a...
Best-ever braai sides and dessert
Have you ever been to a restaurant and listened to those around the table suddenly debating whether to order starters OR dessert? Where the heck did ‘or’ come into the equation? Surely a gourmet meal requires all the trimmings, including a fancy starter, delicious...
Liquidating retirement annuities after emigrating
Retirement annuities (RAs) were created as tax-efficient investments for individuals who want to save for retirement. As opportunities for relocation abroad have grown, however, many expats now find themselves in a position where South Africa is no longer the intended...
Considering tax emigration? Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages before deciding
Ceasing tax residency in South Africa is a big step to take. If tax emigration from South Africa is something you’re currently evaluating, there are a number of important things you need to know in order to make the best possible decision for your particular...
Amarula peppermint crisp tart
The small plum-sized Amarula fruit is well known for its boozy properties; just ask your nearest elephant! Humans and elephants (the ones that live in the wilds of Africa) both agree that this tasty deciduous fruit is the culprit of many a sore head the next day. For...
Beer-braised lamb shanks and mieliepap – South African style
If you’re on the lookout for authentic South African food, you’ve got to add lamb shanks to your list. Our South African beer-braised lamb shanks and mieliepap recipe is the perfect comfort food for gloomy winter days, but it’s a crowd-pleaser any day of the week in...
Can I still cash in my South African retirement annuity without “financially emigrating”?
Before tax law changes in 2021, South Africans who relocated abroad could cash in their retirement annuities once they’d formalised their emigration with the South African Reserve Bank. This formalisation changed the individual’s status from resident to non-resident...
Shining the light on South African designers
What comes to mind when you think of the world’s top designers? Paris fashion? New York catwalks? Fashionistas and design gurus of the century residing anywhere but in Africa, right? Well, think again! South African designers have been steadily climbing the ranks over...
What can South Africans living abroad do with their annuities?
If you’re a South African living overseas, it’s more than likely that your retirement annuity is one of the things you left behind when you relocated. You might now find yourself wondering what you can do with these savings - can you cash in your South African...
Mosbolletjies
Nothing reminds Saffas of home more than the smell of freshly baked mosbolletjies. The delectable aroma of freshly baked mosbolletjies infused with aniseed and topped with sweet castor sugar glaze is a favourite in every South African home. For Saffas living abroad,...
What will SARS do if I don’t want to tax emigrate right now?
South Africans earning abroad have been brought back into the tax net by the Taxation Laws Amendment Act of 2020. The effect of this legislative update is that South Africans working overseas can no longer enjoy full exemption on their foreign employment income and if...
Don’t let SARS be the last to know: when to notify the authorities of your tax status change
As a South African, even if you’re living and working overseas, you may still be considered a tax resident and liable to pay tax back home. This is because South Africa has a residence based system that means if you fall into the definition of ‘tax resident’, you’ll...
Exchange rate
The South African exchange rate tends to fluctuate quite quickly and has done so over the past year. From the economy to unemployment, and now Covid-19, the value of our currency often seems more on the proverbial dip than on the upward rise! It's no wonder that South...
South African beer
The British drink theirs warm, Americans drink theirs ice-cold, and South Africans prefer theirs chilled, thank you very much! What are we talking about? Beer! It’s a well-known fact that saffas love their beer! Picture the scene: The crowd roars on TV, and Oupa...
Klippies and Coke gammon
Wow! Three words all South Africans love in one sentence, Klippies, Coke, and gammon. Who would have thought that such a combination would be so lekker? But is cooking gammon in Coke a South African recipe? You had better believe it! Klippies and Coke The British have...
What’s the deal with South African citizenship, exchange control and tax residency now that the rules have changed?
If you haven’t already heard by now, formal emigration has been cancelled. Don’t panic, you don’t have to cancel any of your plans, this simply means that the concept of “emigration”, as recognised by the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve...
History of Santa Claus and South African Christmas traditions
Can you hear the magic jingle of Christmas in the air? That’s right, Christmas is coming, so haul out the tinsel, untangle the fairy lights and drown that Christmas pudding in lashings of brandy! There’s something about Christmas that allows the inner child in all of...
Money mules & money mule fraud in South Africa
Most South Africans are open to the idea of making a few extra bucks, whether it’s a side hustle, part-time job, or middle man. But have you ever been tempted to make a bit of extra cash as a money mule? As it turns out, money mules have been a real thing in South...
Boerewors recipe
Boerewors, boerie, wors, or braai wors are the names given to one of the most iconic sausages in South African history. This South African food has been on the top of the favourite list for many years. Rewind to the days on the plaas when Ouma would whip up a batch of...
Remembering Theuns Jordaan
The lyrics of Theuns Jordaan’s song Beautiful in Beaufort Wes echoing through our homes in sweet remembrance of a proudly South African singer songwriter is enough to bring chills to our spines. Theuns needs no introduction to the South African music community and the...
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