Thesis (Mcomm)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this research was to compile a practical, step by step approach that can be followed by those persons charged with the governance of enterprises in South Africa to successfully bridge the information technology gap. The King Code of Corporate Governance for South Africa and the King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (together KINGIII) was identified as a starting point for the compilation of the approach. KINGIII is the corporate governance standard in South Africa and in the introduction to KINGIII it is recommended that the principles contained in the Code should be implemented by all entities. KINGIII is the third report on governance issued by the King Committee and introduced governance principles for Information Technology (IT). The Code contains seven IT governance principles and 24 recommended practices. The application of the IT governance principles of KINGIII, as well as the related recommended practices, is a complicated endeavour. This is partly because IT in itself is complex and also partly because the governance of IT is a relatively new area of corporate governance. Through a detailed study of the seven IT governance principles of KINGIII, as well as the related recommended practices and narrative discussions, it was identified that in order to successfully implement IT governance, a company has to establish and implement an IT governance framework which includes relevant structures, processes and mechanisms to enable IT to deliver value to the business. It was also identified that the IT governance framework has to facilitate and enhance the company’s ability to reach its stated objectives by ensuring that the most appropriate decisions are made in respect of the incorporation of IT into the operations of the business. Lastly, it was identified that a company must acquire and use appropriate technology and people to support its business.To address the requirement for the establishment and implementation of relevant structures, processes and mechanisms, a framework of 33 IT governance practices was identified, mapped to the IT governance principles of KINGIII and an analysis performed. Through this analysis the IT governance practices that can be utilised to implement the IT governance principles of KINGIII were identified and discussed. To address the requirement of ensuring that the framework facilitates that the most appropriate decisions are made in respect of the incorporation of IT into the operations of the business, five key decisions that have to be made in respect of IT was identified and discussed. The five decisions were mapped to (1) the KINGIII principles to demonstrate which of the IT governance principles are addressed by each of the decisions and (2) the IT governance structures identified in the framework above to demonstrate which of the IT governance structures can be used to provide input into taking the relevant decision and which can be used to take the decision. Finally, to address the requirement that a company must acquire and use appropriate people and technology to support its business, a framework of organizational competencies required in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) was identified and mapped to (1) the KING III principles to demonstrate which of the IT governance principles could be addressed by each of the relevant competencies and (2) to the five key IT decisions identified above to demonstrate which of the competencies can be utilised to make each of the five key decisions. Based on the findings of the research conducted as set out above, the practical, step by step approach was compiled. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die fokus van hierdie navorsing was die samestelling van ‘n praktiese, stapsgewyse benadering wat gebruik kan word deur daardie persone wat verantwoordelik is vir die korporatiewe beheer van ondernemings in Suid Afrika om suksesvol die inligtings tegnologie (IT) gaping te oorbrug. Die King Code of Corporate Governance for South Africa en die King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (gesamentlik KINGIII), was geidentifiseer as ‘n beginpunt vir die samestelling van die benadering. KINGIII is die korporatiewe beheer standaard in Suid Afrika en in die inleiding tot KINGIII word alle ondernemings aanbeveel om die korporatiewe beheer beginsels en gepaardgaande aanbeveelde praktyke te implementeer. KINGIII is die derde verslag oor korporatiewe beheer wat deur die King Komitee uitgereik is en het korporatiewe beheer beginsels met betrekking tot IT bekend gestel. KINGIII bevat sewe koporatiewe beheer beginsels wat met IT verband hou, asook 24 aanbeveelde korporatiewe beheer praktyke. Die toepassing van die IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels van KINGIII, asook die aanbeveelde praktyke, is ‘n ingewikkelde onderneming. Dit is gedeeltelik omdat IT self kompleks is, maar ook omdat die korporatiewe beheer van IT ‘n relatiewe nuwe area van korporatiewe beheer is. Deur middel van ‘n in diepte studie van die sewe korporatiewe beheer beginsels van KINGIII, insluitend die aanbeveelde korporatiewe beheer praktyke en besprekings, is daar geïndetifiseer dat ‘n IT korporatiewe beheer raamwerk saamgestel en geimplementeer moet word as deel van die implementering van korporatiewe beheer oor IT. Hierdie IT korporatiewe beheer raamwerk moet relevante strukture, prosesse en meganismes bevat wat IT daartoe instaat sal stel om waarde toe te voeg tot die onderneming. Dit is ook geïdentifiseer dat die IT korporatiewe beheer raamwerk die onderneming se vermoeë om sy doelstellings te bereik moet verbeter deur te verseker dat die mees gepaste besluite geneem word met betrekking tot die integrasie van IT in die bedrywighede van die onderneming. Laastens is daar geïdentifiseer dat ‘n maatskappy toepaslike tegnologie en mense moet bekom en aanwend om die bedrywighede van die onderneming te ondersteun. Om die vereiste vir die samestelling en implementering van relevante strukture, prosesse en meganismes aan te spreek, is ‘n raamwerk van 33 IT korporatiewe beheer praktyke geïdentifiseer, kruisverwys na die IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels van KINGIII en verder ontleed. Deur hierdie ontleding is die IT koporatiewe beheer praktyke wat aangewend kan word om die IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels te implementeer geïdentifiseer en bespreek. Om die vereiste aan te spreek dat die raamwerk fasiliteer dat die mees gepaste besluite geneem word met betrekking tot die integrasie van IT in die bedrywighede van die onderneming, is vyf sleutel besluite wat in verband met IT geneem moet word geïdentifiseer en bespreek. Die vyf besluite is (1) kruisverwys na die IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels van KINGIII om te demonstreer watter IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels deur elke besluit aangespreek word en (2) na die IT korporatiewe beheer strukture wat in die bogenoemde raamwerk geidentifiseer is om aan te dui watter IT korporatiewe beheer strukture gebruik kan word om insette te verskaf vir die neem van die vyf sleutel besluite en watter strukture gebruik kan word om die besluite te neem. Laastens, om die vereiste aan te spreek dat ‘n maatskappy toepaslike tegnologie en mense moet bekom en aanwend om sy bedrywighede te ondersteun, is ‘n raamwerk van organisatoriese bevoegdhede wat benodig word in klein tot medium-groote ondernemings (SME’s) geïdentifiseer en kruisverwys na (1) die KINGIII korporatiewe beheer beginsels om aan te dui watter IT korporatiewe beheer beginsels deur die relevante bevoegdhede aangespreek word en (2) na die vyf sleutel besluite wat hierbo geïdentifiseer is om aan te dui watter van die bevoegdhede aangewend kan word om elkeen van die vyf sleutel besluite te neem. Die stapsgewyse benadering tot die korporatiewe beheer van IT is gevolglik saamgestel met verwysing na die bevindinge van die navorsing wat uitgevoer is soos hierbo uiteengesit.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In South Africa, value-added tax (‘VAT’) is classified as an indirect tax which is levied on goods or services supplied in the Republic of South Africa. In South Africa, VAT is a destination-based invoice type tax system which means that the consumption of goods and services are taxed. To register as a vendor for VAT purposes, the business conducted must fall within the ambit of an ‘enterprise’ as defined in section 1(1) of the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 (Act No. 89 of 1991) (the VAT Act). Where a registered vendor makes taxable supplies of goods or services, it is subject to VAT at the standard rate in terms of section 7(1) of the VAT Act, unless and exemption or exception applies thereto. VAT incurred will constitute “input tax” as defined in section 1(1) of the VAT Act, where amongst others, the goods or services are acquired wholly for the purpose of consumption, use or supply in the course of making taxable supplies, or where the goods or services are acquired partly for such purpose, to such extent as determined in accordance with section 17(1) of the VAT Act. The vendor will therefore be confronted with various questions with regard to whether the activities are performed by the enterprise, or whether such activities fall outside the scope of VAT and therefore constitute non-enterprise activities. When the activities are regarded as enterprise activities, the vendor will have to determine whether the VAT incurred for the enterprise activities are used, consumed or supplied in making taxable supplies. Where the VAT incurred cannot be attributed to the making of taxable supplies, an apportionment of the VAT incurred is required. The apportionment method used in apportioning the VAT incurred for mixed purposes, must be fair and reasonable. This research assignment will therefore investigate and focus on the treatment of the VAT incurred by the business in deducting the correct amount of input tax. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In Suid-Afrika word belasting op toegevoegde waarde (‘BTW’) geklassifiseer as ‘n indirekte belasting wat gehef word op die lewering van goed of dienste. BTW is ‘n destinasie-gebaseerde faktuurbasis wat beteken dat die verbruik van goed of dienste in Suid-Afrika aan belasting onderhewig is. Om vir BTW doeleindes te registreer, moet die besigheid of die bedryf aan die vereistes van ‘n ‘onderneming’ soos gedefineer in artikel 1(1) van die Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde Wet (die BTW Wet) voldoen. ‘n Geregistreerde ondernemer wat goed of dienste lewer, moet BTW teen die standaardkoers ingevolge artikel 7(1) van die BTW Wet hef, tensy ‘n vrystelling of uitsondering op hierdie reël van toepassing is. Die belasting gehef ingevolge artikel 7(1) van die BTW Wet verteenwoordig insetbelasting indien die betrokke goed of dienste deur die ondernemer verkry word geheel en al met die doel van verbruik, gebruik of lewering in die loop van die doen vir belasbare lewerings. Indien die goed of dienste gedeeltelik vir daardie doel aangewend word, is die ondernemer verplig om die belasting toe te deel ingevolge artikel 17 van die BTW Wet. Die ondernemer word dus met verskeie vrae gekonfronteer om te bepaal of die goed of dienste aangewend word in die loop ter bevordering van die onderneming. Indien die goed of dienste nie vir daardie doel aangewend word nie, die sogenaamde ondernemingsaktiwiteite, sal die BTW aangegaan deur die ondernemer buite die bestek van die BTW Wet val en gevolglik as nie-ondernemingsaktiwitiete geklassifiseer word. Indien die BTW nie geheel en al gebruik word vir die maak van belasbare lewerings nie, moet die ondernemer die sogenaamde BTW toedeel volgens ‘n erkende toedelingsmetode ingevolge artikel 17 van die BTW Wet. Hierdie metode moet aan die vereistes van regverdigheid en redelikheid voldoen. Hierdie werkstuk fokus en ontleed die hantering van die BTW aangegaan deur die ondernemer met die doel om die korrekte insetbelasting aftrekking te bepaal.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Human capital efficiency, as measured by Value-Added Human Capital (VAHU), refers to an employee's ability to create value-added for his employer. As a key resource which is not captured by conventional accounting, human capital and its value-creating ability may contribute to the premium to book value at which many companies trade. This study, therefore, sought to investigate trends in the divergence between book value and market value in South Africa, by analysing the median market-to-book ratios of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange over time. The primary research objectives, however, were to empirically confirm whether corporate financial and market performance in South Africa can be explained as a contemporaneous and future outcome of human capital efficiency, and whether human capital efficiency is improving. In a largely industrialised emerging market, such as South Africa, there is some concern that companies which concentrate on efficient and productive management of their tangible assets may neglect the effective skills development and training of their human capital assets. Time-series cross-sectional multiple regressions were used to analyse the intra-industry and inter-industry relationships between VAHU and financial performance (as measured by return on assets, revenue growth and headline earnings per share) and market performance (as measured by market-to-book ratios and total share return) in companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Of the financial year-ends falling in the period 31 December 2001 to 30 June 2011, 1765 company years were covered, relating to 390 companies listed on the Main Board and ALT-X. Company size, leverage, industry and return on equity were held as control factors. The same financial data was used to assess the median growth in VAHU over the period under review. The market value-book value gap of listed companies in South Africa was found to have increased from 2001 to 2011, while human capital efficiency declined. Human capital efficiency has almost no effect on current or future market performance in South Africa. Higher human capital efficiency has a positive effect on current returns generated by any asset – tangible or intangible. Higher headline earnings per share is concurrently associated with higher human capital efficiency in almost every industry. Higher revenue growth is contemporaneously associated with higher human capital efficiency in all industries, except those which are consumer-driven. In consumer-driven industries, human capital efficiency is not a driver for revenue growth, but is still associated with higher profitability. The longer-term effect of human capital efficiency on corporate performance in South Africa is more unclear than its immediate effect. The findings of the study highlight the commercial implications of the degree of industrial action and poor basic education in South Africa – a working population that is poorly educated, with the paradox of wages that are low in relation to the cost of living, yet which are becoming too high in relation to the level of output the workers produce. The results pose a compelling argument for improving the quality of education in South Africa, as well as for employer-driven skills development and employee training. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid, soos gemeet deur Toegevoegde Waarde Menslike Kapitaal (TWMK), verwys na 'n werknemer se vermoë om toegevoegde waarde vir sy werkgewer te skep. As 'n sleutel-hulpbron wat nie deur konvensionele rekeningkunde vasgelê word nie, dra menslike kapitaal en die waardeskeppingsvermoë daarvan, dalk by tot die premie op boekwaarde waarteen baie maatskappye verhandel. Hierdie studie het dus nagestreef om tendense in die afwyking tussen boekwaarde en markwaarde in Suid-Afrika te ondersoek, deur die mediaan mark-tot-boekverhoudings van maatskappye genoteer op die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs met tydverloop, te ontleed. Die hoof-navorsingsdoelwitte was egter om empiries te bevestig of korporatiewe finansiële en markprestasie in Suid-Afrika beskryf kan word as 'n gelyktydige en toekomstige gevolg van menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid en of daardie menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid verbeter. In 'n grootliks geïndustrialiseerde ontwikkelende mark, soos Suid-Afrika, is daar 'n mate van kommer dat die maatskappye wat konsentreer op die doeltreffende en produktiewe bestuur van hul tasbare bates, die doelmatige ontwikkeling van vaardighede en opleiding van hul menslike kapitaalbates mag verwaarloos. Tydreekse dwarsdeursnee meervoudige regressies is gebruik om die intra-industrie en inter-industrie verhoudings tussen TWMK en finansiële prestasie (soos gemeet deur die opbrengs op bates, inkomstegroei en wesensverdienste per aandeel) en markprestasie (soos gemeet deur mark-tot-boekverhoudings en die totale opbrengs op aandele) in maatskappye wat op die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs genoteer is, te ontleed. Van die finansiële jaareindes in die tydperk 31 Desember 2001 tot 30 Junie 2011, is 1765 maatskappyjare gedek, rakende 390 maatskappye wat op die Hoofbord en Alt-X genoteer is. Die grootte van die maatskappye, hefboomfinansiering, industrie en opbrengs op ekwiteit dien as kontrolefaktore. Dieselfde finansiële data is gebruik om die mediaangroei in TWMK oor die tydperk onder oorsig te bepaal. Dit is bevind dat die markwaarde-boekwaardegaping van genoteerde maatskappye in Suid-Afrika vanaf 2001 tot 2011 toegeneem het, terwyl menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid gedaal het. Menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid het byna geen effek op die huidige of toekomstige markprestasies in Suid-Afrika nie. Hoër menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid het 'n positiewe uitwerking op die huidige opbrengste wat gegenereer word deur enige bate – tasbaar of ontasbaar. Hoër wesensverdienste per aandeel is samelopend met hoër menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid in byna elke industrie. Hoër groei in inkomste is gelyktydig geassosieer met hoër menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid in alle industrieë, behalwe dié wat verbruiker-gedrewe is. In verbruiker-gedrewe industrieë, is menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid nie 'n aandrywer van inkomstegroei nie, maar is nog steeds gelyktydig geassosieer met hoër winsgewendheid. Die langer-termyn uitwerking van menslike kapitaaldoeltreffendheid op korporatiewe prestasie in Suid-Afrika, is meer onduidelik as sy onmiddellike effek. Die bevindinge van die studie beklemtoon die kommersiële implikasies van die omvang van industriële aksie en swak basiese onderwys in Suid-Afrika – 'n werkende bevolking met swak opleiding, tesame met die paradoks van lone wat laag in vergelyking met bestaankoste is, maar wat te hoog styg met betrekking tot die vlak van uitset wat die werkers produseer. Die resultate bied 'n oortuigende argument vir die verbetering van die gehalte van onderwys in Suid-Afrika, sowel as vir werkgewer-gedrewe ontwikkeling van vaardighede en werknemersopleiding.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cloud computing is a universal occurrence, to which South Africa is no exception. The technology of cloud computing has been the focus of extensive research, but the tax consequences have not been investigated in such research. However, the nature of cloud computing activities, which are conducted via the internet, highlights many difficulties related to taxation. The main taxation-related problems are elicited by the composition of these activities, namely the making available of the cloud by the service provider via the internet and the subsequent use of it by the consumer at any worldwide location. This composition makes the classification of such transactions and the subsequent taxation source determination problematic. Yet, from a South African perspective, there is little assistance regarding these problems. As a result, significant income may escape South African taxation liabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate South African taxation consequences for non-resident1 cloud service providers who conduct activities with residents1 via the internet. The focus of the study was twofold: first, to identify factors, which indicates the classification of cloud computing activities as either a lease, a royalty (or its closely related know-how) or a service; and second, to determine the tax source of each of these classifications. Hence, this study sought to determine whether non-resident cloud service providers could possibly be liable for South African taxation and to identify related challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the collection of such taxes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wolkbewerking (“Cloud computing”) is wêreldwye verskynsel wat ook in Suid- Afrika voorkom. Wolkbewerkingstegnologie was al die fokuspunt van omvangryke navorsing, alhoewel die belastinggevolge nog nie in sodanige navorsing ondersoek is nie. Die aard van wolkbewerkingsaktiwiteite, wat via die internet plaasvind, benadruk egter verskeie belastingverwante vraagstukke. Die hoofbelastingvraagstukke word deur die samestelling van hierdie aktiwiteite, naamlik die beskikbaarstelling van die sogenaamde wolk deur die diensverskaffer via die internet en die gevolglike gebruik daarvan deur die verbruiker te enige wêreldwye ligging, uitgelig. Die klassifikasie en daaropvolgende vasstelling van die belastingbron van hierdie aktiwiteite word as gevolg van hierdie samestelling problematies. Tog, vanaf Suid-Afrikaanse perspektief, bestaan min leiding vir hierdie vraagstukke. As gevolg hiervan kan beduidende inkomstebedrae moontlik Suid-Afrikaanse belastingaanspreeklikheid ontsnap. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ondersoek in te stel na die Suid-Afrikaanse belastinggevolge vir nie-inwoner2 wolkdiensverskaffers wat via die internet met inwoners2 handelsaktiwiteite uitvoer. Die fokus van hierdie studie was tweeledig: eerstens om faktore te identifiseer wat die klassifikasie van wolkbewerkingsaktiwiteite as óf huur, óf tantième (of nou-verwante bedryfskennis) óf dienste kan aandui; en tweedens om die belasting bronne van elk van hierdie klassifikasies vas te stel. Gevolglik is daar in hierdie studie gepoog om vas te stel of nie-inwoner wolkdiensverskaffers moontlik vir Suid-Afrikaanse belasting aanspreeklik mag wees en om verwante uitdagings wat aangespreek moet word om die invordering van hierdie belasting te verseker, te identifiseer.

Thesis (PhD (Accountancy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The accountancy profession operates within an environment that is changing at a rapid pace. It is the responsibility of the profession to ensure that all its members (including future members) meet the expectations placed on them by the users of their services. Professional accountants need to stay relevant in this changing environment that may require them to change or adapt the services they offer to their clients. It is the responsibility of professional accountancy bodies to strategically plan for these changes to ensure that members that join the profession posses the required knowledge and skills to be relevant and to stay relevant within the environment they operate in. One of the key drivers of change in the environment has been identified as the advances in information and communication technologies. Information and communication technologies have an impact on the role that accountants play in the environment (i.e. what they do) as well as on how they perform their role (i.e. how they do it). The main aim of this research was to determine if, and to what extent, students, that have completed their formal education and enter the profession as trainee accountants, possess the knowledge and skills to enable them to interact with and use information technology to be regarded as competent accountants within the South African business environment. Accountants are educated in South Africa at universities that offer programmes that have been accredited by a professional accountancy body as well as through practical training offered by training organisations. During this education process, accountants are imparted with the knowledge and skills as prescribed by the professional accountancy body so that they can join the profession as competent accountants. This research showed that there are serious shortcomings in the formal education of students regarding information technology that results in students entering the profession as trainee accountants not being competent in using information technology. The reasons for students not being competent in information technology are: • the lack of clear guidance on the IT skills required of students completing their formal education because of professional accountancy bodies setting IT syllabi that are too vague and/or concise; • ignorance of the demands on trainee accountants as to the IT skills they require to be competent in the South African business environment; and • the lack of proper IT training offered by South African universities that deliver trainee accountants that possess a limited range of IT skills that may not be relevant to the environment students will function in. Through a survey the perceptions of role-players at South African universities on the strategies that universities would have to employ to ensure that the students they deliver to profession, acquire the relevant IT skills to be competent in the use of information technology, were determined.

Thesis (PhD (Accountancy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die vraagstuk wat in die studie ondersoek word, is of daar groter regsekerheid ten opsigte van die toepassing van die onderskeie inkomste-kapitaal riglyne by ontvangste in die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelastingreg verkry kan word deur: i) die onderliggende gedagterigtings wat die formulering van die betrokke riglyne ten grondslag lê, te ondersoek en toe te pas; ii) die geformuleerde riglyne meer noukeurig te omskryf; iii) die toepassingsveld van die onderskeie riglyne te oorweeg: en iv) 'n psigologiese onderskeid te tref tussen die verskillende tipes subjektiewe ingesteldhede wat 'n individu kan openbaar en die tipe wat vir die inkomste-kapitaalriglyne relevant is, te identifiseer. In die oplossing van bogemelde vraagstuk word aan die volgende aspekte aandag geskenk: i) Die ontwikkeling en toepassing van die riglyne wat die howe in Australie, Nieu-Seeland en Suid-Afrika geformuleer het om 'n onderskeid te tref tussen ontvangste van 'n inkomste- en kapitale aard. Die ontwikkeling van die relevante riglyne in die Australiese en Nieu-Seelandse inkomstebelastingreg word oorweeg omdat: (a) die grondslag van inkomstebelasting in die lande wesenlik ooreenstem met Suid-Afrika; (b) die howe daar na dieselfde brongesag verwys as uitgangspunt vir die ontwikkeling van die riglyne om 'n onderskeid te tref tussen ontvangste van 'n inkomste- en kapitale aard; (c) die howe in Nieu-Seeland na gesag in Suid-Afrika verwys het by die toepassing van sekere riglyne om tussen ontvangste van 'n inkomste- en kapitale aard te onderskei; (d) die howe daar nuwe toepassings vir die bestaande riglyne ontwikkel het en die moontlikheid bestaan dat hierdie toepassings ook in Suid-Afrika aangewend kan word; en (e) die howe in die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelastingregspraak al hoe meer na Australiese regspraak verwys as gesag vir hulle uitsprake. ii) Die standpunt dat die premis wat die riglynformulering deur die howe ten opsigte van die onderskeid tussen ontvangste van inkomste- of kapitale aard ten grandslag lê, inderdaad gebaseer is op 'n klassifikasie van die onderliggende transaksies wat die ontvangste genereer. iii) Die grondslag van voorgemelde riglyne, dit wil sê pas die howe die riglyne toe deur die subjektiewe ingesteldheid van die belastingpligtige in ag te neem, of word die riglyne bloot op objektief waarneembare feite gebaseer wat 'n aanduiding gee van die aard van die ontvangste, of is dit subjektief sowel as objektief. iv) Die relevante tipe subjektiewe ingesteldheid wat deurslaggewend is indien die subjektiewe ingesteldheid van die belastingpligtige 'n belangrike rol speel by die toepassing van die riglyne. 'n Samehangende metodologie word formuleer wat die howe en belastingpraktisyns kan aanwend om op 'n logiese en konsekwente wyse die relevante riglyn te identifiseer en toe te pas om die inkomste- of kapitale aard van die betrokke ontvangste te bepaal. Die aanwending van hierdie metodologie sal tot groter regsekerheid in die inkomstebelastingreg bydra omdat die identifisering en toepassing van die relevante riglyn op die feitestel in oorweging op 'n gestruktureerde en gefundeerde grondslag sal plaasvind. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The problem that will be investigated in this thesis is whether greater legal certainty may be ascertained regarding the application of the various income-capital guidelines to receipts in the South African income tax law by: i) investigating and applying the underlying thought processes that form the basis of the formulation of the guidelines concerned; i) defining the formulated guidelines in more detail; iii) considering the field of application of the various guidelines; and iv) making a psychological distinction between the different types of state of mind of an individual and identifying the type that is relevant for the application of the incomecapital guidelines. In finding a solution for the above problem the following aspects are considered: i) The development and application of the guidelines that the courts have formulated in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa to make a distinction between receipts of an income and capital nature. The development of the guidelines in New Zealand and Australia is relevant because: (a) the basis of income tax in these countries concords primarily with South Africa; (b) the courts there referred to the same authority as a starting-point for the development of the guidelines in order to make a distinction between receipts of an income and capital nature; (c) the courts in New Zealand referred to South African authority to substantiate the application specific guidelines in order to make a distinction between receipts of an income and capital nature; (d) the courts there developed new applications for existing guidelines and the possibility exists that it may also be applied in South Africa; and (e) the courts in South Africa of late refer more and more to Australian case law as authority to support their judgements. il) The proposition that the premise that forms the basis of the guideline formulation by the courts to distinguish between receipts of an income and capital nature is indeed the classification of the underlying transactions that generate receipts. iii) The underlying principle of the various guidelines, that is to say do the courts apply the guidelines by taking cognisance of the subjective state of mind of the taxpayer, or are they merely based on objective surrounding circumstances that give an indication of the nature of the receipt, or is it both subjective and objective. IV) The specific state of mind of a taxpayer that is determinative if subjectivity is a crucial element in the application of particular guidelines. A coherent methodology is formulated that could be applied by courts and tax practitioners in order to identify and apply the relevant guidelines logically and consistently in the determination of the income or capital nature of the receipt under consideration. The application of this methodology will contribute towards greater legal certainty in the income tax law because the identification and application of the relevant guidelines will occur in a structured and systematic manner.

Thesis (MComm)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Despite the fact that transfer pricing legislation (i.e. section 31 of the Income Tax Act, 58 of 1962 (“the Act”) has been in force in South Africa since 1995, it has only been in the last three years that the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) has embarked on a number of assessments of taxpayers’ cross border transactions with foreign group companies. In particular, the SARS targets taxpayers that have rendered cross border services (including financial assistance) to a foreign group company for no consideration and has assessed these taxpayers on the adjusted interest/ fee amounts. Since the burden of proof lies with the taxpayer to demonstrate that its cross border transactions with foreign group companies do not infringe the provisions of section 31(2) of the Act, this study provides taxpayers with guidance as to when its transactions would fall within the scope of application of section 31(2) of the Act and when the SARS would be excluded from applying the provision of section 31(2) of the Act. Following upon a critical analysis of the essential components of section 31(2) of the Act the following conclusions are drawn by the author: • If the taxpayer proves that it did not transact with a connected party (as defined in section 1 of the Act), or it did not supply goods or services in terms of an international agreement (as defined in section 31(1) of the Act), or its transfer price would be regarded as arm’s length, the Commissioner would be excluded from applying the provision of section 31(2) of the Act since all of the components to apply section 31(2) of the Act are not present. • The current view held by the South African Revenue Service and tax practitioners that transactions between a South African company and an offshore company, which are both directly or indirectly held more than fifty percent by an offshore parent company, are transactions between connected persons (as defined in 5 section 1 of the Act) is incorrect in law. Section 31 of the Act is not applicable to such transactions. • The Commissioner will be excluded from making a transfer pricing adjustment to a service provider’s taxable income where the following circumstances are present: o Where the cross border transaction with a connected party does not give rise to gross income, which is the starting point in the determination of taxable income, since the service provider agreed to render services for no consideration and was therefore not entitled to receive income (i.e. no receipt or accrual) and o Where the service provider can provide evidence that demonstrates that there was no practice of price manipulation as regards the transaction under review. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel oordragprysbeleid wetgewing (artikel 31 van die Inkomstebelastingwet 58 van 1962 (“die Wet”)) al sedert 1995 in Suid Afrika van krag is, het die Suid Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (“SAID”) eers werklik gedurende die laaste drie jaar begin om aanslae ten opsigte van belastingpligtiges se internasionale transaksies met buitelandse groepmaatskappye uit te reik. In die besonder teiken die SAID belastingpligtes wat dienste (insluitend lenings) aan buitelandse groepmaatskappye vir geen vergoeding lewer. Aangesien die bewyslas op die belastingpligtige rus om te bewys dat sy internasionale transaksies met buitelandse groepmaatskappye nie die bepalings van artikel 31(2) van die Wet oortree nie, word belastingpligtiges in hierdie studie van riglyne, wat aandui wanneer transaksies met buitelandse groepmaatskappye binne die omvang van artikel 31(2) van die Wet val asook onder welke omstandighede die SAID verhoed sal word om artikel 31(2) van die Wet toe te pas, voorsien. Na aanleiding van ‘n kritiese analise van die deurslaggewende komponente van artikel 31(2) van die Wet kom die skrywer tot die volgende gevolgtrekkings: • As die belastingpligte kan bewys dat hy nie met ‘n verbonde persoon (soos omskryf in artikel 1 van die Wet) handelgedryf het nie, of dat hy nie goedere of dienste in terme van ‘n internasionale ooreenkoms (soos omskryf in artikel 31(1) van die Wet) gelewer het nie, of dat sy oordragprys as arm lengte beskou kan word, sal die Kommissaris verhoed word om die bepaling van artikel 31(2) van die Wet toe te pas, aangesien al die komponente van artikel 31(2) van die Wet nie teenwoordig is nie. • Die huidige sienswyse van die SAID en belastingpraktisyns dat transaksies wat tussen ‘n Suid Afrikaanse maatskappy en ‘n buitelandse maatskappy plaasvind, waar ‘n buitelandse moedermaatskappy meer as vyftig persent van albei maatskappye se aandeelhouding (direk of indirek) hou, beskou kan word as 7 transaksies tussen verbonde persone (soos omskryf in artikel 1 van die Wet) is regstegnies nie korrek nie. Artikel 31(2) van die Wet is nie van toepassing op sulke transaksies nie. • Die Kommisaris sal onder die volgende omstandighede verhoed word om enige oordragprysaanpassing aan ‘n diensleweraar se belasbare inkomste te maak: o Waar die internasionale transaksie met ‘n verbonde persoon nie bruto inkomste (die beginpunt van ‘n belasbare inkomste berekening) voortbring nie, aangesien die diensleweraar ingestem het om dienste teen geen vergoeding te lewer, wat tot die gevolg het dat die diensleweraar nie geregtig is om inkomste te ontvang nie (dus geen ontvangste of toevalling) en o Waar die diensleweraar kan bewys dat die transaksie nie onderhewig aan prys manipulasie was nie.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In February 2007 section 11D was inserted into the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962 as amended. The aim of the section was to encourage private-sector investment in scientific or technological research and development (R&D). This was an indirect approach by National Treasury to increase national scientific and technological R&D expenditure in order to complement government expenditure on the subject matter. Although section 11D provides generous income tax incentives, the interpretation thereof was found to be a hindrance in attaining the goal sought by National Treasury. This is due to the fact that this section demands a firm grasp of intellectual property (IP) law, principles of tax, and technology in general. This is clearly shown by the lapse in time (i.e. three years) between the passing of section 11D into law and the release of the South African Revenue Services’ (SARS) final interpretation of section 11D, i.e. Interpretation Note 50. The release of Interpretation Note 50 in August 2009 sparked wide-spread controversy among many a patent attorneys and tax consultants. The interpretation of the section by SARS was found by many to be so draconian that it destroyed the incentive entirely. The objective of this study is to provide greater clarity on the areas of section 11D which have been found to be onerous to taxpayers. Hence the meaning of “new” and “non-obvious” in the context of a discovery of information as eligible R&D activity1 was examined. Hereafter the ambit of the exclusion of expenditure on “management or internal business process”2 from eligibility for the incentive in the context of computer program development was examined. It was established that the meaning of “novel” and “non-obvious” as construed by IP jurisprudence could mutatis mutandis be adopted for purposes of interpreting section 11D(1) of the Income Tax Act. Therefore, information would be regarded as “new” if it did not form part of the state of the art immediately prior to the date of its discovery. The state of the art was found to comprise all matter which had been made available to the public (both in the Republic and elsewhere) by written or oral description, by use or in any other way. Information would also be regarded as non-obvious if an ordinary person, skilled in the art, faced with the same problem, would not have easily solved the problem presented to him by having sole reliance on his intelligence and what was regarded as common knowledge in the art at the time of the discovery. It was submitted that in construing the meaning of the “management or internal business process” exclusion, the intention of the lawgiver should be sought and given effect to. The Explanatory Memorandum issued on the introduction of section 11D states that the lawgiver’s intention with the section was to ensure that South Africa is not at a global disadvantage concerning R&D. The R&D tax legislation of Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada was therefore examined to establish the international bar set in this regard. SARS is of the view that the “management or internal business process” exclusion applies to the development of any computer program (with the said application) irrespective of whether the program is developed for the purpose of in-house use, sale or licensing. However, it was found that such a restrictive interpretation would place homebound computer development at a severe disadvantage when compared with the legislation of the above mentioned countries. In order to give effect to the intention of legislature, it was submitted that the exclusion provision should be construed to only include the development of computer programs for in-house management or internal business process use. Computer programs developed for the said application, but for the purpose of being sold or licensed to an unrelated third party, should still be eligible for the R&D tax incentive. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Artikel 11D is gevoeg tot die Inkomstebelastingwet 58 van 1962 gedurende Februarie 2007. Die wetgewing het ten doel om privaatsektor investering in tegniese en wetenskaplike navorsing en ontwikkeling (N&O) aan te moedig. Nasionale Tesourie dra dus op ‘n indirekte wyse by tot die hulpbronne wat die regering op nasionale vlak aan tegniese en wetenskaplike N&O bestee in ‘n gesamentlike poging om N&O in Suid-Afrika te stimuleer. Artikel 11D hou op die oog af baie gunstige inkomstebelasting aansporings in. Dit wil egter voorkom asof die interpretasie daarvan as ernstige struikelblok dien in die bereiking van die doel wat Nasionale Tesourie voor oë gehad het. Dit kan toegeskryf word aan die feit dat die artikel ‘n wesenlike begrip van intellektuele eiendom (IE) wetgewing, belasting beginsels en tegnologie in die algemeen vereis. Die feit dat dit die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstebelastingdiens (SAID) ongeveer drie jaar geneem het om hul interpretasie (i.e. Interpretasienota 50) van die artikel te finaliseer dien as bewys hiervan. Die SAID het gedurende Augustus 2009, Interpretasienota 50 vrygestel. Die nota het wye kritiek ontlok by menigte IE prokureurs en belastingkonsultante. Daar is algemene konsensus dat die SAID se interpretasie so drakonies van aard is, dat dit enige aansporing wat die artikel bied, geheel en al uitwis. Die doel van hierdie studie is om die problematiese bepalings van die aansporingsartikel te verlig en groter sekerheid daaroor te verskaf. Gevolglik is die betekenis van “nuut” en “nie-ooglopend” soos van toepassing op ‘n ontdekking van inligting as kwalifiserende N&O aktiwiteit, bestudeer. Verder is die omvang van die bepaling wat besteding op “bestuur of interne besigheidsprosesse” uitsluit van kwalifikasie vir die aansporingsinsentief, bestudeer in die konteks van rekenaar programmatuur ontwikkeling. By nadere ondersoek is daar bevind dat die betekenis van “nuut” en “nie-ooglopend” soos uitgelê vir doeleindes van IE wetgewing mutatis mutandis aangeneem kan word vir die uitleg van artikel 11D(1)(a) van die Inkomstebelastingwet. Vervolgens word inligting as “nuut” beskou indien dit nie deel uitmaak van die stand van die tegniek onmiddellik voor die datum waarop dit ontdek is nie. Die stand van die tegniek vir die bepaling van nuutheid behels alle stof wat reeds aan die publiek beskikbaar gestel is (hetsy binne die Republiek of elders) by wyse van skriftelike of mondelinge beskrywing, deur gebruik of op enige ander wyse. Inligting word as nie-ooglopend beskou indien ‘n gewone werker wat bedrewe is in die tegniek en gekonfronteer is met dieselfde probleem, nie geredelik die antwoord tot die probleem sou vind deur bloot staat te maak op sy intelligensie en die algemene kennis in die bedryf op die tydstip van die ontdekking nie. Daar is aan die hand gedoen dat die doel van die wetgewer nagestreef moet word met die uitleg van die “bestuur of interne besigheidsprosesse” uitsluiting. Die Verklarende Memorandum wat uitgereik is met die bekendstelling van artikel 11D het gemeld dat die wetgewer ten doel gehad het om Suid Afrika op ‘n gelyke speelveld met die res van die wêreld te plaas wat betref N&O. Die N&O belastingbepalings van Australië, die Verenigde Koninkryk (VK) en Kanada is dus bestudeer om die internasionale standaard in die opsig vas te stel. Die SAID is van mening dat die strekwydte van die uitsluiting so omvangryk is dat dit alle rekenaar programmatuur wat ontwikkel is vir ‘n bestuur- of interne besigheidsproses toepassing tref, ten spyte daarvan dat die bedoeling van die belastingpligtige was om die programmatuur te verkoop of te lisensieër aan ‘n onverbonde derde party. Dit was egter bevind dat so ‘n beperkende uitleg die aansporing van rekenaar programmatuur ontwikkeling in Suid Afrika geweldig benadeel in vergelyking met die regime wat geld in lande soos Australië, die VK en Kanada. Ten einde gevolg te gee aan die bedoeling van die wetgewer, is daar aan die hand gedoen dat die uitsluiting slegs so ver moet strek as om rekenaar programme vir eie gebruik te diskwalifiseer. Rekenaar programme wat dus ontwikkel word met die doel om dit te verkoop of te lisensieër aan onverbonde derde partye moet steeds vir die aansporingsinsentief kwalifiseer.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Information technology (IT) has an impact on the accomplishments of the entity (Kaselowski, 2008:83). Traditionally, public sector entities struggle to gain any value from the IT environment and regularly overspend on IT projects. In South Africa the Third King Report on Corporate Governance (King III) introduced ‘The governance of IT’ (IODSA, 2009) applicable to both private and public sector entities. Although generic IT frameworks such as ITIL and COBIT exist and are used by private and public entities to govern the IT environment, public sector entities require a specific IT governance framework suited to the unique characteristics and business processes of the public sector entity. Taking into account the unique nature of the public sector entity, the purpose of this study was to assist public sector entities in their IT governance efforts through the development of a framework to be used to govern IT effectively, since sufficient guidance for the public sector does not exist. Leopoldi (2005) specifically pointed out that a top-bottom framework could be limiting for entities operating in a diverse field and having complicated organisational structures, both characteristics integral to the public sector environment. Since a topbottom and a bottom-top approach fulfil different purposes, both are needed for IT governance in the public sector entity. By combining the two approaches and focusing on the unique environment of the public sector entity, a governance framework can be established. This will ensure that insight has been gained into the IT environment and the business processes and that true alignment between the business and the IT environment for the public sector entity has been achieved. This framework developed will assist the public sector entity in governing the IT environment unique to this industry and will equip public sector management with a framework to govern IT more effectively, while under pressure of public scrutiny. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Informasietegnologie (IT) het 'n impak op die prestasies van 'n entiteit (Kaselowski, 2008:83). Openbare sektor entiteite sukkel tradisioneel om enige voordeel uit die IT-omgewing te behaal en oorspandeer gereeld op IT-projekte. Die Derde King Verslag oor Korporatiewe Beheer (King III) het beheerbeginsels vir IT omskryf wat vir beide die private en openbare sektor entiteite in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks toepaslik is (IODSA, 2009). Alhoewel generiese IT raamwerke, soos ITIL en COBIT, deur beide private en openbare sektor entiteite gebruik word om die IT-omgewing te beheer, benodig openbare sektor entiteite 'n toepaslike IT-beheerraamwerk wat die unieke eienskappe en besigheidsprosesse van die openbare sektor entiteit ondersteun. Die fokus van hierdie navorsing was gerig op die identifisering van ’n IT-beheerraamwerk vir die openbare sektor, om openbare sektor entiteite te ondersteun in die beheer van IT. Aangesien die aard van ’n openbare sektor entiteit verskil van dié van ’n private sektor entiteit, moet die beheer wat toegepas word ook verskillend van aard wees en geen toepaslike riglyne vir die openbare sektor is tans beskikbaar nie. Entiteite wat in 'n diverse omgewing bedryf word en aan 'n komplekse organisatoriese struktuur blootgestel is, mag moontlik deur gebruik te maak van 'n top-bodem beheerraamwerk beperk word (Leopoldi, 2005). Beide hierdie eienskappe is integraal tot openbare sektor entiteite. 'n Top-bodem en bodem-top beheerraamwerk vervul verskillende funksies en in die openbare sektor is beide aanslae noodsaaklik vir die beheer van IT. Deur gebruik te maak van ’n gekombineerde aanslag en op die unieke eienskappe verwant aan die openbare sektor entiteite te fokus, kan effektiewe beheerraamwerk ontwikkel word. Dit sal verseker dat insig in die IT-omgewing en die besigheidsprosesse verkry is en dat belyning tussen die besigheid en die IT-omgewing vir die openbare sektor bereik is. Die beheerraamwerk wat ontwikkel is sal die openbare sektor entiteit ondersteun om die IT omgewing, uniek aan die sektor, doeltreffend te beheer. Die openbare sektor is blootgestel aan skrutinering en bestuur sal nou toegerus wees met 'n beheerraamwerk om die IT omgewing meer effektief te bestuur.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Software as a Service (SaaS) – which is a deployment model of cloud computing – is a developing trend in technology that brings with it new potential opportunities and consequently potential risk to enterprise. These incremental risks need to be identified in order to assist in risk management and therefore information technology (IT) governance. IT governance is a cornerstone of enterprise-wide corporate governance. For many entities corporate governance has become a statutory requirement, due to the implementation of legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley Act of the United States of America. The research aims to assist in the IT governance of SaaS, by identifying risks and possible controls. By means of an in-depth literature review, the study identified 30 key risks relating to the use and implementation of SaaS from the user’s perspective. Different governance and risk frameworks were considered, including CobiT and The Risk IT Framework. In the extensive literature review, it was found that CobiT would be the most appropriate framework to use in this study. Mapping the risks and technologies from the user's perspective to one or more of the processes of the CobiT framework, the research found that not all processes where applicable. Merely 18 of 34 CobiT processes where applicable. The study endeavoured to identify possible controls and safeguards for the risks identified. By using the technologies and risks that were mapped to the CobiT processes, a control framework was developed which included 11 key controls to possibly reduce, mitigate or accept the risks identified. Controls are merely incidental if it is not linked to a framework. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Software as a Service (SaaS) – ‘n ontplooiingsmodel van cloud computing – is ‘n ontwikkelende tegnologiese tendens wat verskeie moontlikhede, maar daarby ook verskeie risiko’s vir ondernemings inhou. Hierdie addisionele risiko’s moet geïdentifiseer word om te help met die bestuur van risiko’s en daarom ook die beheer van Informasie Tegnologie (IT). IT beheer is ‘n belangrike deel van die grondslag van ondernemingswye korporatiewe beheer. As gevolg van die implimentering van wetgewing soos die Sarbanes-Oxley wetsontwerp van die Verenigde State van Amerika, het korporatiewe beheer ‘n statutêre vereiste geword vir verskeie ondernemings. Hierdie studie poog om die IT beheer van SaaS by te staan, deur risiko’s en moontlike beheermaatreëls te identifiseer. Deur middel van ‘n indiepte literatuur ondersoek het die studie 30 sleutelrisiko’s geïdentifiseer wat verband hou met die gebruik en implimentering van SaaS vanuit ‘n gebruikersoogpunt. Verskeie korporatiewe- en risiko raamwerke, insluitende CobiT en The Risk IT Framework, was oorweeg. Die literatuur ondersoek het egter bevind dat CobiT die mees toepaslikste raamwerk vir dié studie sal wees. Deur die risiko’s en tegnologieë vanuit ‘n gebruikers perspektief te laat pas met een of meer CobiT prosesse, het die navorsing bevind dat nie alle prosesse in CobiT van toepassing is nie. Slegs 18 van die 34 prosesse was van toepassing. Die studie het ook gepoog om moontlike beheer- en voorsorgmaatreëls vir die risiko’s te identifiseer. Deur die tegnologieë en risiko’s te gebruik wat gepas is teen die CobiT prosesse, is ‘n beheer raamwerk ontwikkel wat 11 sleutel beheermaatreëls insluit, wat die geïdentifiseerde risiko’s kan verminder, temper of aanvaar. Beheermaatreëls is slegs bykomstig as dit nie direk aan ‘n raamwerk gekoppel is nie.