Thesis (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Insetbelasting soos omskryf in artikel 1 van die Wet op Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde No. 89 van 1991 (“die Wet”) kan teruggeëis word waar die goedere of dienste, ten opsigte waarvan die insetbelasting geëis word, vir die maak van belasbare lewerings verkry is. Waar goedere of dienste verkry word, gedeeltelik vir die maak van belasbare lewerings en gedeeltelik vir die maak van vrygestelde lewerings, moet ʼn toedeling van die insetbelasting ooreenkomstig die bepalings van Artikel 17(1) van die Wet gemaak word. Artikel 17(1) bepaal dat die omset-gebaseerde toedelingsmetode gebruik moet word vir die toedeling van toedeelbare insetbelasting. Hierdie metode wat voorgeskryf word gee aanleiding tot die volgende twee probleemstellings, naamlik : · Onduidelikheid in die Wet rakende die hantering van verskillende tipes lewerings binne die toedelingsformule, en · Onduidelikheid oor welke bedrae of gevalle by die toedelingsformule inof uitgesluit moet word. Artikel 17(1) bepaal ook dat, indien die omset-gebaseerde toedelings-metode nie toepaslik vir ʼn ondernemer is nie, ʼn alternatiewe metode gebruik kan word mits die alternatiewe metode ʼn redelike en regverdige alternatief daarstel. Hierdie uitsondering gee aanleiding tot ʼn derde probleemstelling, naamlik: · Wat kan as ʼn redelike en regverdige alternatief beskou word? Laastens maak Artikel 17(1) voorsiening vir ʼn voorbehoudsbepaling wat bekend staan as die de minimis-reël. Hiervolgens hoef ʼn ondernemer nie te voldoen aan Artikel 17(1) indien die ondernemer se totale belasbare lewerings minstens 95% van sy totale lewerings beloop nie. Die voorbehoudsbepaling maak egter nie voorsiening vir die hantering van abnormale omstandighede wat die implementering van die voorbehoudbepaling kan beïnvloed nie. Dit gee aanleiding tot die vierde probleemstelling, naamlik : · Watter maatreëls bestaan daar om te verseker dat die de minimis-reël nie deur abnormale omstandighede beïnvloed word nie? In hierdie studie word Artikel 17(1) krities ontleed ten einde te poog om oplossings vir bostaande probleemstellings te vind. Relevante wetgewing en publikasies van lande soos die Verenigde Koninkryk, Kanada, Australië en Ierland is ook bestudeer en na aanleiding hiervan kan die volgende afleidings gemaak word, naamlik: · dat ʼn lewering uit meer as een tipe lewering kan bestaan, hetsy belasbaar of vrygestel. Sodanige lewerings kan geklassifiseer word as toevallige-, saamgestelde- of gemengde lewerings wat, afhangend van die tipe lewering, die insetbelasting wat teruggeëis mag word, verskillend kan beïnvloed. Uitsluitsel oor die klassifikasies van lewerings moet verkry word alvorens dit in die toedelingsformule ingesluit word; · dat die in- of uitsluiting van spesifieke bedrae en gevalle in die toedelingsformule eerstens aan die hand van die ekonomiese aktiwiteitstoets gemeet moet word. Die resultate van ʼn ekonomiese aktiwiteitstoets sal aandui watter invloed ʼn spesifieke bedrag of geval op die toedelingsformule kan hê. Die spesifieke eienskappe van elke bedrag of geval moet daarna ontleed word om te bepaal of sodanige bedrag of geval by die toedelingsformule in- of uitgesluit moet word om die manipulasie van die toedelingsformule te voorkom; · dat riglyne bepaal moet word of die toepassing van ʼn alternatiewe toedelingsmetode redelik en regverdig is ten einde enige onsekerhede uit die weg te ruim. Dit behoort op ‘n soortgelyke wyse geïmplementeer te word as die bestaande riglyne in die wetgewing van lande soos Kanada, Ierland en die Verenigde Koninkryk; · dat die de minimis-reël uitgebrei moet word deur nie net na ʼn vaste persentasie te verwys nie, maar ook die gebruik van historiese syfers, randwaardes en maandelikse ontledings in te sluit, soos wat dit tans die gebruik in Kanada en die Verenigde Koninkryk is. Daar bestaan dus reeds in ander lande wetgewing wat die probleemareas, soos in die Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing geïdentifiseer, aanspreek. Dit is dus nodig om aan die hand hiervan die Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing uit te brei ten einde enige onduidelikhede en areas vir moontlike manipulasie uit te skakel / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Input tax as defined in Section 1 of the Value Added Tax Act No. 89 of 1991 (“the Act”) can be deducted where goods or services are acquired by the vendor for the purpose of consumption, use or supply in the course of making taxable supplies. Where the goods or services are acquired by the vendor partially for the purpose of making taxable supplies and partially for the purpose of making exempt supplies, an apportionment of the input tax that can be deducted, has to be done in terms of Section 17(1) of the Act. Section 17(1) determines that the turnover-based apportionment method should be used for apportionment of the input tax. This prescribed method gives rise to the following problem statements: · The Act is not clear as to how different types of supplies should be treated in the apportionment formula, and · The Act is not clear as to which specific amounts or cases should be included or excluded from the apportionment formula. Section 17(1) further determines that, if a vendor finds the turnover-based method of apportionment inappropriate, the vendor can use an alternative method as long as the method is a fair and reasonable alternative. This exemption to the rule gives rise to a third problem statement, namely: · What should be seen as fair and reasonable alternative method? Finally, a proviso is found in Section 17(1), better known as the de minimisrule. According to the rule no apportionment is necessary in terms of Section 17(1) if the total taxable supplies constitute at least 95% of total supplies. The proviso does not take abnormal circumstances into account that can affect the implementation of the proviso. This gives rise to the fourth problem statement: · What controls exist to ensure that the de minimis-rule is not influenced by abnormal circumstances? In this study Section 17(1) is critically analyzed to find solutions for the above problem statements. Relevant acts and publications of countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland were examined. The following conclusions can be drawn from the study: · A supply can consist out of more than one type of supply, either taxable or exempt. These supplies can be classified as coincidental supplies, combined supplies or mixed supplies. Each one of these supplies can have a material influence on the apportionment formula and should be considered carefully before they are included in the formula. · The inclusion or exclusion of any specific amount or case as part of the apportionment formula should first be measured against the economic activity test. The results of the economic activity test will indicate which effect the specific amount or case will have on the apportionment formula. Thereafter the distinctive characteristics of the amount or case should be analysed to ensure correct treatment of the specific amount or case in the apportionment formula to prevent the manipulation of the apportionment formula. · Guidelines should be identified to determine whether an alternative method of apportionment is fair and reasonable, in conjunction with the specific guidelines identified by the legislation of countries such as Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom. · The de minimis-rule should be broadened not to only include the use of a fixed percentage, but also the use of historical figures, rand values and monthly analysis as is the case in Canada and the United Kingdom. As can be seen from the above there already exist legislation in other countries that addresses the problem areas as identified in South African legislation. It is therefore necessary to broaden the South African legislation to eliminate any uncertainties and areas for possible manipulation.

Thesis (MAcc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die belastingaftrekbaarheid van werknemerverwante voorwaardelike aanspreeklik-hede, met spesifieke verwysing na die verkoop of beëindiging van ʼn besigheid, is in meegaande studie ondersoek. Dit word bevind dat in die geval van die beëindiging van ‘n besigheid, alle voorwaardelike aanspreeklikhede op datum van beëindiging van die besigheid, waarskynlik nooit vervul kan word nie, spesifiek in geval waar dit gekoppel is aan die vereiste dat ʼn werknemer op ʼn toekomstige datum steeds in diens moet wees van die besigheid. Die voorwaardelike verpligting word dus nooit vervul nie en geen betalings hoef aan voormalige werknemers gemaak te word nie. Geen aftrekking aan die voormalige werkgewer word dus toegestaan in gevalle waar verlof- of bonusbetalings gemaak word na beëindiging van die besigheid, indien die verpligting nie reeds onvoorwaardelik bestaan het voordat die beëindiging van die besigheid plaasgevind het nie. Dit word verder bevind dat in die geval waar ʼn besigheid gelikwideer word, die voormalige en voornemende werkgewer se verpligting teenoor die werknemers se voorwaardelike aanspreeklikhede verval. Verder is dit ook waarskynlik dat geen belastingaftrekking toegestaan sal word nie, omrede die voorwaardelike aanspreeklikheid nie vervul is op datum van likwidasie nie. Dit word verder bevind dat in die geval waar ʼn besigheid as lopende saak verkoop word, die voornemende werkgewer ingevolge Artikel 197 van die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge verplig word om alle dienskontrakte, tesame met alle regte en verpligtinge wat bestaan tydens die oordrag, oor te neem asof hy in wese in die skoene tree van die voormalige werkgewer. Voorts word die voormalige werkgewer ook gebind aan die betaling van bedrae, soos deur die verkoopskontrak bepaal, of andersins in gevalle waar die voornemende werkgewer nie die verpligting om te betaal, kan nakom nie. Beide die voormalige en voornemende werkgewer bly dus wetlik aanspreeklik vir die betaling van bedrae soos uitgestippel in die verkoopskontrak, in gevalle waar ‘n besigheid as lopende saak verkoop word. Dit word verder bevind dat die Inkomstebelastingwet ‘n belastingaftrekking moet toestaan aan die voormalige of voornemende werkgewer wat ‘n werknemerverwante-betaling maak uit hoofde van die wette soos neergelê deur die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge. Sodoende sal die Inkomstebelastingwet die oogmerke van die Wet op Arbeidsverhoudinge onderskraag, met gevolglike voordelige uitwerking op die ekonomie en beskerming van werknemers se werksekuriteit. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the tax deductibility of employee-related contingent liabilities, with specific reference to the sale or discontinuation of a business. It is concluded that in the case of the discontinuation of business activities, all contingent liabilities at the date of discontinuation (with the specific requirement that employees will still be employed by the business at a future date) will probably never be fulfilled. The contingent liability is thus never fulfilled and no payments need be made to the former employees. No tax deduction is therefore granted to the former employer where leave or bonus payments were made after the discontinuance of business activities, if the liability did not unconditionally exist prior to the discontinuance of the business. It is further concluded that in the case of the liquidation of a business, the former and prospective employers are released from any obligation towards the contingent liabilities of the employees. Furthermore it is also unlikely that any tax deduction will be granted, due to the contingent liability being unfulfilled at the date of liquidation. It is further concluded that in the case where a business is sold as a going concern, the prospective employer is obliged to take over all existing employee contracts as well as all rights and obligations existing at the time of transfer, in terms of Section 197 of the Labour Relations Act. The former employer is also bound to the payment of amounts, as stipulated by the contract of sale, or otherwise in cases where the prospective employer cannot honour the liability to pay. Both former and prospective employers are legally liable for the payment of amounts as stipulated in the contract of sale, in cases where a business is sold as a going concern. It is further concluded that the Income Tax Act should allow a tax deduction to the former or prospective employer who makes an employee-related payment in terms of the Labour Relations Act. As a result the Income Tax Act will support the objectives of the Labour Relations Act, resulting in a positive effect on the economy as well as the protection of employees’ work security.

Thesis (MAcc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The quality of external audits has increasingly come under the spotlight over the last decade as a result of a number of audit failures. The use of scientifically based statistical sampling as a sampling technique is allowed, but not required by International Standards on Auditing. The science behind this sampling technique can add to the credibility and quality of the audit. Accordingly the main objective of this study was to explore certain key aspects of the use of statistical sampling as a sampling technique in the audits of financial statements done by South African Registered Auditors accredited by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A literature review of the most recent local and international studies related to the key aspects addressed in this study was done. An empirical study was then done by means of a questionnaire that was sent to the JSE-accredited auditing firms for completion. The questionnaire focused on what was allowed by the firms’ audit methodologies regarding the key aspects investigated in this study and not on the actual usage of statistical sampling in audits performed by the firms. The following main conclusions were drawn in respect of the four key aspects that were investigated: 1. In investigating the extent to which statistical sampling is used by auditing firms, it was found that the majority of them was allowed to use the principles of statistical sampling. Upon further investigation it was found that only 38% were explicitly allowed to use it in all three sampling steps (size determination, selection of items and evaluation of results). The evaluation step was identified as the most problematic statistical sampling phase. 2. Two reasons why auditors decided not use statistical sampling as a sampling technique were identified, namely the perceived inefficiency (costliness) of the statistical sampling process, and a lack of understanding, training and experience in the use thereof. 3. In investigating how professional judgement is exercised in the use of statistical sampling, it was found that the audit methodologies of the majority of the auditing firms prescribed the precision and confidence levels to be used, and further that the minority indicated that they were allowed to adjust these levels using their professional judgement. The partner in charge of the audit was identified to be typically responsible for final authorisation of the sampling approach to be followed. 4. It was found that approximately a third of the auditing firms did not use computer software for assistance in using statistical sampling. The majority of the auditing firms did however have a written guide on how to use statistical sampling in practice available as a resource to staff. The value of this study lies in its contribution to the existing body of knowledge in South Africa regarding the use of statistical sampling in auditing. Stakeholders in statistical sampling as an auditing technique that can benefit from this study include Registered Auditors in practice, academics, and, from regulatory, education and training perspectives, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na aanleiding van 'n aantal oudit mislukkings in die afgelope dekade het die kwaliteit van eksterne oudits toenemend onder die soeklig gekom. Die gebruik van wetenskaplik gebaseerde statistiese steekproefneming word deur die International Standards on Auditing toegelaat, maar nie vereis nie, as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek. Die wetenskap agter hierdie steekproefnemingstegniek kan tot die geloofwaardigheid en die kwaliteit van die oudit bydra. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was gevolglik om sekere sleutel aspekte van die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek in die oudits van finansiële state soos gedoen deur Suid-Afrikaanse Geregistreerde Ouditeure geakkrediteer deur die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs (JSE), te verken. 'n Literatuurstudie van die mees onlangse plaaslike en internasionale studies wat verband hou met die sleutel aspekte wat in hierdie studie aangespreek word, is gedoen. 'n Empiriese studie is daarna gedoen met behulp van 'n vraelys wat vir die voltooiing aan die JSE-geakkrediteerde ouditeursfirmas gestuur is. Die vraelys het gefokus op wat toegelaat word deur die firmas se oudit metodologieë ten opsigte van die sleutel aspekte ondersoek in hierdie studie en nie op die werklike gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming in oudits wat deur die firmas uitgevoer word nie. Die volgende hoofgevolgtrekkings is gemaak ten opsigte van die vier sleutel aspekte wat ondersoek is: 1. In die ondersoek na die mate waarin statistiese steekproefneming gebruik word deur ouditeursfirmas, is gevind dat die meerderheid toegelaat was om die beginsels van statistiese steekproefneming te gebruik. By verdere ondersoek is gevind dat slegs 38% uitdruklik toegelaat word om dit te gebruik in al drie steekproefneming stappe (grootte-bepaling, keuse van items en evaluering van resultate). Die evalueringstap is geïdentifiseer as die mees problematiese statistiese steekproefnemings fase. 2. Twee redes waarom ouditeure besluit het om nie statistiese steekproefneming as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek te gebruik nie is geïdentifiseer, naamlik die vermeende ondoeltreffendheid (hoë koste) van die statistiese steekproefnemingsproses, en 'n gebrek aan begrip, opleiding en ondervinding in die gebruik daarvan. 3. Met die ondersoek van die wyse waarop professionele oordeel uitgeoefen word in die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming, is gevind dat die presisiepeil en vertrouensvlakke wat gebruik word deur die meerderheid van die ouditeursfirmas se oudit metodologieë voorgeskryf word, en verder het die minderheid aangedui dat hulle hierdie vlakke mag aanpas deur hul professionele oordeel te gebruik. Die vennoot in beheer van die oudit is geïdentifiseer as tipies verantwoordelik vir die finale goedkeuring van die steekproefnemingsbenadering wat gevolg word . 4. Daar is gevind dat ongeveer 'n derde van die ouditeursfirmas nie gebruik maak van rekenaarsagteware vir bystand in die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming nie. Die meerderheid van die ouditeursfirmas het egter 'n geskrewe gids oor hoe om statistiese steekproefneming in die praktyk te gebruik as 'n hulpmiddel aan personeel beskikbaar. Die waarde van hierdie studie lê in sy bydrae tot die bestaande liggaam van kennis in Suid-Afrika met betrekking tot die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming in ouditkunde. Belanghebbers in statistiese steekproefneming as 'n oudittegniek wat kan baat vind by hierdie studie sluit in Geregistreerde Ouditeure in praktyk, akademici, en, vanuit regulerings-, opvoedings- en opleidingsperspektiewe, die Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors en die Suid-Afrikaanse Instituut van Geoktrooieerde Rekenmeesters.

Thesis (MComm) -- Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The study’s focus is to provide an analysis of the development of the definition of royalties in the context of Model Tax Conventions (‘MTC’). The secondary focus of the study is to analyse the evolution of the concept of beneficial ownership as a limitation to the application of the treaty benefits contained in royalty provisions of the MTC’s. In terms of the focus of the study, it is concluded that the most significant developments with regards to the definition of royalties, since originating in the League of Nations Model Convention’s first Draft Model in 1928, occurred during the final Committee meetings held in Mexico and London (producing the Mexico and London Draft Models respectively) and in terms of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (‘OEEC’), which set out the founding principles of the definition. It is also concluded that the later MTC’s did not significantly change the Treaty royalty definition but added clarification as to the meaning of the term by way of the Commentaries to the MTC. The secondary focus of the study concludes that the term has not really changed since it was first used in an international context. The most recent case law on the matter confirmed that the attributes of the concept is that of ownership and that the matter is one which needs to be decided from a legalistic perspective and should not be based on the economic interpretation of the term ‘beneficial ownership’, which could effectively turn the concept into a broad anti-avoidance provision. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: geen opsomming

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study is to provide a critical evaluation of the correctness of the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the case of Commissioner: South African Revenue Services v Brummeria Renaissance (Pty) Ltd [2007] SCA 99 (RSA). The primary question investigated in this study, is whether the court had indeed decided correctly when it concluded that: “…the right to retain and use the borrowed funds without paying interest had a money value, and accordingly that the value of such a right must be included in the companies‟ gross income for the years in which such rights accrued to the companies.” The question will be investigated by: i. evaluating the relevance of the doctrine plus valet quod agitur quod quam simulate concipitur (the “plus valet-doctrine”) and the in fraudem legis-doctrine, in relation to the facts of the Brummeria-case; ii. consideration of certain basic principles regarding „rights‟ (real rights, corporeal rights as well as rights of recovery and performances), „property‟, interpretation of contracts as it manifests in South African Law, and the common law principles regarding mutuum and considering the relevance thereof in the Brummeria-case; iii. considering the principles of pactum antichreseos and the relevance thereof to the facts of the Brummeria-case; iv. considering further legal tax technical aspects with a view to consider whether the “accruals” of the Brummeria-case have indeed constituted an „amount‟ for purposes of the „gross income‟-definition in section 1 of the Act; and v. considering the exact moment (or year of assessment) when an amount (based on the assumption that an „amount‟ has accrued to the taxpayer) had to be included in the taxpayer‟s gross income. The relevance of United States tax rules (regarding the income tax implications of interest-free loans) on interest-free loans in Life Rights Agreements will also be considered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die oorkoepelende doelstelling van hierdie studie is om ‘n kritiese evaluering van die korrektheid van die Hoogste Hof van Appèl se uitspraak in die saak van Kommissaris: Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens v Brummeria Renaissance (Edms) Bpk [2007] SCA 99 (RSA) te verskaf. Die oorkoepelende vraagstuk wat in hierdie studie ondersoek word, is of die Hof inderdaad gelyk gehad het ten opsigte van die beslissing dat: “…the right to retain and use the borrowed funds without paying interest had a money value, and accordingly that the value of such a right must be included in the companies’ gross income for the years in which such rights accrued to the companies.” Hierdie vraagstuk sal ondersoek word deur: i. die toepaslikheid van die leerstelling plus valet quod agitur quod quam simulate concipitur (die “plus valet-leerstelling”) en die in fraudem legis-leerstelling op die Brummeria-feitestel te oorweeg; ii. sekere basiese beginsels rakende ‘regte’ (saaklike regte en sake sowel as vorderingsregte en prestasies), ‘eiendom’, uitleg van kontrakte soos dit in die Suid-Afrikaanse Reg manifesteer, en die gemeenregtelike beginsels rakende mutuum te ondersoek en die toepaslikheid daarvan in die Brummeria-saak te oorweeg; iii. die beginsels van pactum antichreseos en die toepaslikheid daarvan in die Brummeria-feitestel te oorweeg; iv. verdere regstegniese aspekte vanuit ‘n belastingoogpunt te ondersoek ten einde te oorweeg of die “toevallings” van die Brummeria-saak inderdaad ‘n ‘bedrag’ vir doeleindes van die ‘bruto inkomste’-definisie in artikel 1 van die Wet daarstel; en v. oorweging te skenk aan die juiste tydstip (oftewel jaar van aanslag) waarop ‘n bedrag (gebaseer op die aanname dat ‘n ‘bedrag’ die belastingpligtige wel toegeval het) by die belastingpligtige se bruto inkomste ingesluit moet word. Voorts sal die toepaslikheid van Amerikaanse belastingreëls (betreffende die inkomstebelastingimplikasies van rentevrye lenings) op die rentevrye lenings in die Lewensregooreenkomste ook oorweeg word.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Belastingbeleidmakers in Suid-Afrika het tot 'n groot mate die belastinghantering van afgeleide instrumente verwaarloos. Die Inkomstebelastingwet, No. 58 van 1962, neem tans slegs drie soorte finansiele ooreenkomste wat as afgeleide instrumente geklassifiseer kan word, in aanmerking: termynwissel- en opsiekontrakte met betrekking tot buitelandse valuta, rentekoers ruilkontrakte gebaseer op denkbeeldige kapitaalbedrae en opsiekontrakte. Alhoewel die Kommissaris van Binnelandse Inkomste 'n aantal interne werkskomitees aangestel het om ondersoek in te stel na hierdie afdeling van die reg, is die wetgewing wat voortgespruit het as uitvloeisel van hierdie pogings broksgewys van aard deurdat dit slegs met beperkte aspekte van die belasbaarheid van 'n aantal spesifieke transaksies gehandel het. Vanweë die gebrek aan spesifieke wetgewende bepalings wat die belastingaspekte van afgeleides reguleer, moet die algemene beginsels van die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelastingreg op hierdie instrumente toegepas word. Dit gee aanleiding tot onnoukeurige en teenstrydige resultate, hoofsaaklik omdat hierdie beginsels reeds lank voor die wydverspreide gebruik van afgeleides in gesofistikeerde en ingewikkelde transaksies ontwikkel het. Die belasbaarheid van transaksies waarby afgeleide instrumente betrokke is, is 'n onderwerp van toenemende praktiese belang in Suid-Afrika vanweëdie styging in die aantal transaksies in afgeleides. Die inwerkingstelling van kapitaalwinsbelasting in Suid-Afrika het nog 'n verdere dimensie aan die belasbaarheid van afgeleide instrumente toegevoeg. Indien ag geslaan word op die toename in die aantal en waarde van transaksies in afgeleide instrumente wat deur Suid-Afrikaanse belastingbetalers aangegaan word, is dit noodsaaklik dat duidelikheid rakende die belasbaarheid van hierdie transaksies so spoedig doenlik verkry word. Enige hervorming en hersiende belastingreels wat van toepassing gemaak word op hierdie instrumente moet baie buigsaam wees, aangesien verdere ontwikkelings in die finansiële instrumente-omgewing uiters dinamies is en bykans daagliks verander. Dit is voorts belangrik dat die Suid-Afrikaanse belastingstelsel tred hou met internasionale ontwikkelinge ten einde die land se handel status te versterk en te verseker dat transaksies oor grense heen nie onreëlmatige gevolge inhou nie, veral vir buitelandse teenpartye. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Tax policy makers in South Africa have, to a large extent, neglected the tax treatment of derivative instruments. The Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962, currently only takes into account three types of financial arrangements that can be classified as being derivative in nature: forward exchange and option contracts relating to foreign exchange, interest rate swaps based on notional capital amounts and option contracts. Although the Commissioner for Inland Revenue has appointed a number of internal working committees to research this area of the law, the legislation resulting from these efforts has been piecemeal in nature, dealing only with limited aspects of the taxation of a few specific transactions. Due to the lack of specific legislative provisions regulating the tax aspects of derivatives, the general principles of South African income tax law have to be applied to these instruments. This leads to imprecise and inconsistent results, primarily as a result of the development of these principles long before the widespread use of derivatives in sophisticated and complex transactions. The taxation of transactions involving derivative instruments is becoming a subject of increasing practical importance in South Africa due to the number of derivative transactions escalating in quantity. The introduction of capital gains tax in South Africa has added yet a further dimension to the taxation of derivatives. In light of the increasing volume and value of derivative transactions entered into by South African taxpayers, it is imperative that clarity regarding the taxation of these transactions be reached as soon as possible. Any reform and revised tax rules that are made applicable to these instruments, need to be very flexible, as further developments in the financial instrument environment are extremely dynamic and changing almost daily. It is furthermore important that the South African tax system keeps track with international developments to enhance the country's trading status and to ensure that cross border transactions do not have anomalous consequences, especially for foreign counter-parties.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die praktyk is daar talle situasies waar 'n krediteur wetend of onwetend 'n verwante of nie-verwante debiteur se skuld verminder of aflos. Voor die instelling van kapitaalwinsbelasting het daar reeds talle nadelige inkomstebelastinggevolge bestaan wat uit sodanige vermindering of aflossing kan voortspruit. Die instelling van kapitaalwinsbelasting en meer spesifiek paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die Inkomstebelastingwet Nr 58 van 1962, het tot gevolg dat die vermindering of aflossing van skuld ook nadelige kapitaalwinsbelastinggevolge tot gevolg kan he. Die studie sal kortliks na die moontlike inkomstebelastinggevolge van die vermindering of aflossing van skuld verwys aangesien hierdie gevolge in sekere omstandighede die kapitaalwinsbelastinggevolge kan be'invloed. Die inkomstebelastinggevolge wat bespreek sal word is die vermindering van 'n persoon se vasgestelde verlies as gevolg van 'n vergelyk met of konsessie deur skuldeisers, verhalings wat ontstaan by die veIjaring of afstanddoening van skuld, geagte dividende onderhewig aan sekondere belasting op maatskappye, skenkings onderhewig aan skenkingsbelasting en ook byvoordele wat ingesluit word by 'n werknemer se belasbare inkomste. Die fokus van die studie verskuifvervolgens na die uitleg van paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die Inkomstebelastingwet. Die uitleg van hierdie paragraaf aan die hand van die normale reels wat geld by die uitleg van belastingwetgewing in die algemeen sal daarop wys dat die belangrikste elemente wat moet bestaan alvorens hierdie bepaling sal geld is dat daar 'n skuld moes bestaan het en dat hierdie skuld verminder of afgelos moes word. Die studie ondersoek daama die regswerking van die terme 'verminder' en 'aflos' om te bepaal watter gebeure daartoe aanleiding gee dat skuld verminder of afgelos word. Na aanleiding van hierdie gebeure wat tot gevolg kan he dat skuld verminder of afgelos word, word 'n aantal praktiese gevallestudies bespreek waardeur die toepasssingsveld van paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die Inkomstebelastingwet gei1lustreer kan word. Uit die ondersoek word daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat daar 'n groot aantal situasies bestaan wat moontlik kapitaalwinsbelastinggevolge vir 'n persoon kan inhou wanneer skuld verminder of afgelos word. Die studie bespreek ook moontlike voorkomende maatreels wat die trefwydte van hierdie bepaling kan inperk. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It often occurs in practice that a creditor knowingly or un-knowingly reduces or discharges a debt owed to it by a related or unrelated debtor. Prior to the introduction of capital gains tax there already existed many negative income tax implications from such a reduction or discharge. The introduction of capital gains tax, and more specificly paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962, now extends these negative income tax consequences to also include negative capital gains tax implications. This study will briefly look at the potential income tax implications associated with reduction or discharge of debt as these implications will also impact on the potential capital gains implications. The income tax implications that will be discussed are the reduction of a person's assessed loss as a result of a concession granted by or a compromise made with his creditors, recoupments as a result of the prescription or waiver of a debt, deemed dividends subject to secondary tax on companies, donations subject to donations tax and fringe benefits included in the taxable income of an employee. The focus of the study subsequently moves to the interpretation of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act. The most important elements that will arise from this interpretation, based on the normal rules of the interpretation of income tax legislation, are that there must be a debt and that the debt must be reduced or discharged. The study then examines the legal implications of the terms 'reduce' and 'discharge' in order to determine what circumstances can have the effect that a debt has been reduced or discharged. These circumstances are then applied on various examples to illustrate the scope of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act. From this examination the conclusion is drawn that there are many circumstances that exists that could lead to capital gains tax implications as a result of the reduction or discharge of a debt. The study also discusses possible preventive measures that could be implemented to prevent the application of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule to the Act.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study explores the question whether a company that issues shares in exchange for assets or services incurs expenditure for purposes of the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962. It is concluded that a company may, in terms of the Companies Act No 61 of 1973 and the Companies Act No 71 of 2008, only issue shares once it has received consideration for those shares. Unissued shares have no value and are not considered to be assets of the company. Die ordinary meaning of the word expenditure requires the action of spending an amount of money, funds or other resources. In light of this meaning it is further concluded that the issue of shares does not qualify as expenditure actually incurred by the company. It is further concluded that the principles of what expenditure entails for income tax purposes, laid down in CSARS v Labat Africa Limited, are accurate and should form the basis whenever it is necessary to consider whether expenditure was actually incurred. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie is ʼn ondersoek na die vraag of die uitreik van aandele deur ʼn maatskappy, ten einde bates of dienste te bekom, sou beteken dat die maatskappy onkoste werklik aangegaan het vir doeleindes van die Inkomstebelastingwet No. 58 van 1962. Daar word bevind dat ʼn maatskappy ingevolge die Maatskappywet No. 61 van 1973 en die Maatskappywet No. 71 van 2008 slegs aandele mag uitreik sodra die teenprestasie ontvang is en dat onuitgereikte aandele geen waarde het nie en ook nie bates is van die maatskappy nie. Die gewone betekenis van die woord onkoste vereis ʼn aksie of handeling van betaling of uitgee van ʼn bedrag geld, fondse of ander hulpbronne. In die lig hiervan word daar bevind dat die uitreik van aandele nie onkoste is wat werklik aangegaan word deur ʼn maatskappy nie. Daar word verder bevind dat die beginsel van wat onkoste behels vir inkomstebelastingdoeleindes, soos neergelê in CSARS v Labat Africa Limited, korrek is en die basis vorm wanneer daar oorweeg word of onkoste werklik aangegaan word.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The comparative study of tax incentive legislation in South Africa, Australia and Canada for small businesses confirmed that tax incentives in South Africa are on par with those of said developed countries. The study compared tax incentives for income tax, capital gains tax and sales tax after the operation of the specific taxes was researched and the tax incentives identified. It is concluded in the study that there are tax incentives legislated in Australia and Canada that may enhance current South African tax incentives or which may be introduced as new tax incentives. These incentives may facilitate and stimulate economic growth and development in the country. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vergelykende studie van belastingvergunnings vir klein besighede in Suid-Afrika, Australië en Kanada het bevestig dat belastingvergunnings in Suid-Afrika op standaard is met dié van ontwikkelde lande. Die studie het inkomstebelasting, kapitaalwinsbelasting en verkoopsbelasting vergelyk nadat die werking van die gespesifiseerde belastings nagevors en die belastingvergunnings van toepassing geïdentifiseer is. In die studie word daar tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat daar belastingvergunnings in Australië en Kanada is wat of die huidige belastingvergunnings in Suid-Afrika kan uitbrei of as nuwe belastingvergunnings in Suid-Afrika geimplementeer kan word. Die gewysigde en nuwe belastingvergunnings mag moontlik bydra tot verdere groei en ontwikkeling in Suid-Afrika.