South African expats have been in uproar following the February 2017 Budget announcement in that they may need to pay income tax on overseas earnings from March 2019.
If the proposals are enacted in their current form, expats living and working in countries where tax is not paid on their earnings will have to start paying up to 45% of the sum to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) even though they are not physically present in the country.
Unknowing breach
An unexpected side effect of the proposals, however, has been the revelation that many expats may be unknowingly breaching existing tax rules regarding their offshore investment income and gains.
Denton, who is head of international technical sales at OMW, warns that this lack of knowledge is “a huge issue” and has cautioned that “time is running out to put this right”.
“There is widespread concern over the implications the new proposals by Sars could have on South African expats living and working in tax benign countries – such as the UAE.
“In these discussions, it has become apparent that many advisers and clients are unaware that, under current legislation, South African expats who have retained their ordinary resident status may need to declare and pay to Sars income tax from investment earnings and on gains.
“This lack of knowledge could explain why assets being disclosed through the current ‘special voluntary disclosure programme’ (SVDP) have been below expectations. Time is running out, and advisers and client really need to address this issue before the end of August disclosure deadline.
“It’s not all doom and gloom. Offshore bonds can offer a lifeline to those who want to save for their future but in a tax efficient way, and who don’t want to be burdened with ongoing reporting and administration,” Denton said.
Retained resident status
Under current legislation expats who have retained their ordinary resident status need to declare and pay to Sars income tax from all investment earnings and on gains.
So, for example, an expat living in the UAE may need to pay up to 45% in tax to Sars on any investment and savings income they receive on a worldwide basis.
Anyone who hasn’t appropriately paid their taxes have been urged by the South African Government to take advantage of the SVDP, which offers the opportunity to come clean and declare any income and gains received over the years.
It will mean paying the required tax to Sars, plus penalties, but if done now, it will avoid any potential prosecution.
