M.Comm. / The purpose of this study is to discuss the deductibility of interest paid. Interest income is ignored for the purposes of this document. This study investigates the South African tax consequences of the eductibility of interest paid only. Interest is not defined in the Income Tax Act (South Africa, 1962) and therefore gives rise to litigation. Case law is an important source of this study. The deductibility of interest paid is of great importance, because of the aggressive globalization of groups of companies and the relaxation of exchange control. The companies should structure their finances in such a way that the interest on the financing of their new overseas ventures is still deductible and that the structuring does not give rise to diversionary transactions and be open to attack by SARS.

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Like any other item of expenditure, interest expenditure's deductibility is determined by subjecting it to the tests laid down in the general deduction formula contained in section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act, as well as the special deductions applicable to interest. In this study there will be only concentrated on the tests laid down in the general deduction formula contained in section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act. The general test according to section 11(a) as laid down by the courts to ascertain if an expense incurred in trade is deductible, is firstly to ascertain the act entailing the expenditure. If it is performed for the purpose of earning income, the expenditure attendant upon is deductible. Secondly, the closeness of the connection between the expenditure incurred and the trade must be ascertained. If the expense incurred is so closely connected with the business operation that it may be regarded as part of the cost of performing it, the expenditure will be deductible. The courts have considered many factors to ascertain if interest expenditure complies with the statutory requirements as set out in section 11(a), read together with section 23(f) and 23(g) of the Income Tax Act. There seems to be one test which can be applied to most of the statutory requirements and can be seen as the conclusive factor in determining the deductibility of interest expenses and that is the test of the original purpose of the loan that leads to the interest expense. Firstly in this study, the factors considered by the courts to ascertain if the deductibility of an interest expenditure complies with the statutory requirements as set out in the introduction of section 11(a), together with section 23(f) and 23(g), will be examined with specific reference to the purpose of the loan. Then the possibility of a change in the original purpose of a loan and the effect on the deductibility of an interest expenditure will be examined. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Soos enige ander uitgawe, word rente uitgawes se aftrekbaarheid bepaal deur dit te onderwerp aan die toetse soos neergele in die algemene aftrekkingsformule, vervat in artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet, asook die spesiale aftrekkings wat op rente van toepassing is. In hierdie studie word slegs op die algemene aftrekkingsformule, vervat in artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet gekonsentreer. Die algemene toets volgens artikel 11(a) wat deur die howe neergele is om te bepaal of 'n uitgawe aangegaan in 'n bedryf aftrekbaar is, is om eerstens te bepaal of die handeling waaraan die uitgawe verbind is by die voortbrenging van inkomste aangegaan is en tweedens of die uitgawe wat aangegaan is nou genoeg verwant is aan die bedryf sod at dit as deel van die koste beskou kan word om die bedryf te beoefen. Die howe het verskeie faktore oorweeg om te bepaal of die aftrekbaarheid van rente uitgawes voldoen aan die statutere vereistes soos bepaal deur artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g) van die Inkomstebelastingwet. Daar blyk een toets te wees wat op die meeste statutêre vereistes toegepas kan word en wat ook as die bepalende factor beskou kan word om die aftrekbaarheid van rente uitgawes te beoordeel en dit is die oorspronklike doel waarmee die lening aangegaan is wat die rente uitgawe tot gevolg het. In hierdie studie word eerstens ondersoek ingestel na die faktore wat die howe oorweeg om te bepaal of 'n rente uitgawe aan die vereistes, soos uiteengesit in die inleiding van artikel 11(a), saamgelees met artikel 23(f) en 23(g), voldoen met spesifieke verwysing na die doel waarmee 'n lening aangegaan word. Die moontlikheid word dan ondersoek dat die oorspronklike doel van die lening kan verander en watter effek dit op die aftreknbaarheid van ‘n rente uitgawe kan hê.