Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2006. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk begin deur te ondersoek watter rol rekeningkundige beginsels en praktyk tot op datum by die uitleg van die inkomstebelastingwetgewing in Suid-Afrika gespeel het. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat rekeningkundige beginsels 'n baie beperkte rei gespeel het. Die beginsels van wetsuitleg word dan ondersoek en die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat daar wei ruimte vir rekeningkundige beginsels en praktyk is om 'n meer uitgebreide rol in die uitleg van die inkomstebelastingwetgewing, en meer spesifiek die bruto inkomste-omskrywing en die algemene aftrekkingsformule, te speel. Die werkstuk oorweeg dan die rol wat rekeningkundige beginsels en praktyk in die uitleg van die inkomstebelastingwetgewing in beide Australie en die Verenigde Koninkryk gespeel het. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat rekeningkundige praktyk in beide hierdie jurisdiksies 'n meer uitgebreide rei in die uitleg van inkomstebelastingwetgewing as in Suid-Afrika gespeel het. Die mening word uitgespreek dat Suid-Afrika baat kan vind deur 'n soortgelyke benadering te volg as wat in bogenoemde jurisdiksies gevolg word. Die werkstuk sluit dan af deur die voor- en nadele van 'n stelsel te ondersoek waar die belasbare inkomste en rekeningkundige inkomste ooreenstem. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat 'n mate van ooreenstemming aan te bevel is, maar dat volkome ooreenstemming nie sinvol is nie. Die inagneming van rekeningkundige beginsels in die uitleg van inkomstebelastingwetgewing kan bydra om die optimale graad van ooreenstemming te bereik. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditionaly accounting principles and practice played a very limited role in the interpretation of the income tax legislation in South Africa. This study starts off by investigating the role that accounting principles and practice played to date in the interpretation of the income tax legislation in South Africa. The conclusion is reached that accounting principles played a limited role. The principles of interpretation of legislation is then considered and a conclusion is reached that there is scope for accounting principles and practice to play an extended role in the interpretation of the income tax legislation, especially in the interpretation of the gross income definition and the general deduction formula. The study then considers the role that accounting principles and practice played in the interpretation of the income tax legislation in both Australia and the United Kingdom. The conclution is reached that in both these jurisdictions accounting practice played a more extensive role in the interpretation of income tax legislation than in South Africa. The opinion is expressed that South Africa can benefit from a similar approach as was taken in the abovementioned jurisdictions. The study concludes with an investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of having the calculation of taxable income conform to the calculation of income for accounting purposes. The conclusion is reached that conformity to some degree is advisable but that total conformity is not sensible. Taking accounting principles and practice into account in the interpretation of income tax legislation can help attain the optimal degree of conformity.