Dear Subscriber,

This is terrible, I keep writing and reminding you about the tax returns deadline at the end of this month, but I keep putting

it off!! I have put reminders on my cell phone, stickers on my computer and even gone as far as writing a note on my hand in ink! Now please let's not forget to do this. I know we are all busy and get caught up in our daily routines and the stresses of business deadlines, but, remember that there is no extension for this one.

The SARS website states that they have extend their hours of operation at all branch offices to accommodate queues of taxpayers at service centres across the country. Most SARS taxpayer service centres at branch offices will be open from 7am to 6pm. Effectively, at most offices, this will allow for an extra 3 hours per day during which taxpayers can receive free assistance from SARS with completing their returns or for any other tax queries. In addition to the extended office hours, SARS will also have service desks and officials available in the big economic centres of the country to assist with the overflow of taxpayer numbers and alleviate the pressure of queues at branch offices until 31 October 2007.

So, get your tax returns task high on that priority list to prevent getting an unwanted fine (and that won't be for speeding).

Tax Issues
Adv.Pierre du Toit, tax consultant at KPMG, discusses Part 2 on discourse with SARS this week on Tax Issues, broadcast on Summit TV (DSTV channel 292) at 20h40 & 22h40 on Wednesday evenings and at 7h30 on Thursday mornings. PLEASE NOTE: Tax Issues has changed channels, it is now being broadcast on DSTV channel 292 since 01 October 2007.

Subscribe online in less than two minutes.

Till next week.
Janine Connor
Executive Editor & Head of TAXtalk

Interview with Pierre Du Toit, KPMG - Summit TV

Discourse with SARS is a topical issue, and the formal procedural rules for this discourse have become greatly detailed. Pierre du Toit, tax consultant at KPMG, discussed it in the second of a two-part series on Tax Issues, broadcast on Summit TV.

PricewaterhouseCoopers SA

South African tax residents working overseas enjoy an exemption from tax for remuneration received for foreign services, provided that they are outside of SA for more than 183 days (of which 60 are consecutive) in a 12 month period.

eTaxjobs is a global job portal exclusively for tax professionals, and an online resource for employers and recruitment firms to advertise their vacancies. eTaxjobs operate in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and around the World.

Available tax jobs for this week are:

TAXtalk Magazine

As from October 2006 tax rulings by SARS have become formalised and binding through the advance tax ruling system. In the past, taxpayers often approached SARS on an informal basis to rule on certain tax issues. The rullings given were often inconsistent and were not binding on SARS.

Business Day

The simplified tax rules for retirees that came into effect this month are worth applauding - with the deadline for tax submissions looming in less than two weeks. Under reforms announced in the last Budget, the first R300 000 of a lump sum withdrawn at retirement from a pension, provident, preservation or retirement annuity fund is tax free.

David Grawitzky, Director - IAPA

This year´s budget has brought about some significant changes, which no doubts will have a positive impact on your estate duty plan. Some of the reforms are:

TAXtalk invites you to write an article in which you share your views and expertise on tax. Your article can be published in the newsletter for 7000 readers to view, on our website for over 100 000 viewers to see and in the TAXtalk magazine(with your photo) for more than 16 000 readers to read. Make an impression, submit your article NOW.

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Submit your article to: janine@taxtalk.co.za or post it to: (P.O Box 1650 Gallo Manor 2052)