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The knowledge of, and the attitude towards, taxation of South AfricansMyers, Graham Trevor 12 October 2012 (has links)
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the Degree of
Doctor of Technology: Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / In conversation, people often base their arguments on the assumption that the knowledge that one has about a subject influences one’s attitude about that subject. From this they deduce that education would alter the attitude that people have towards that subject; taxation is no different. Its complexity and equity are often used as major points of discussion.
This researcher chose to study income tax to determine if the knowledge that South Africans have of taxation in general influences their attitude towards taxation. It also determined which biographical details of people in South African influence their knowledge of, and their attitudes towards income tax.
It also tried to lay a foundation for future students in this field broad field of accounting who may continue this investigation so as to build a knowledge base of the subjects in the accounting fields.
A questionnaire was designed by asking registered master’s students in taxation to determine the major questions to be asked about the various taxation acts to establish their knowledge and attitudes. The additional information about other types of taxation was to be used in future research. These questions were discussed by all full-time staff and the questionnaire was limited to 20 questions in each category. A pilot study was then undertaken after which questions were further refined or deleted.
The population consisted of all the people living in South Africa. Within each of the nine provinces in South Africa a convenience sample was chosen. To each of these members of the sample a self-administered questionnaire was given. The raw data was captured using SPSS and then analysed extensively.
The results showed that knowledge of income tax was affected by age, race, and level of education, type of occupation the person is in, the province a person lived in and the income they earned.
Attitudes towards income tax were affected by age, race, occupation of the person, the province they come from and the income they earned.
The research indicated that there was relationship of 40 to 49 percent between the various biographical details of people in South African and the knowledge that they had of various sections of income tax act. There was also a 29 to 33 percent relationship between the biographical details of people in South Africa and the attitudes they have towards various statements about income tax.
There was a 20 to 30 percent relationship between the knowledge that respondents had of income tax and their attitude towards income tax.
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The legal risks associated with trading in derivatives in a merchant bankTerblanche, Janet Rene 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (LLM (Mercantile Law))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The research defines derivatives as private contracts, with future rights and obligations imposed on all parties, used to hedge or transfer risk, which derives value from an underlying asset price or index, which asset price or index may take on various forms. The nature of derivatives is that the instruments are intended to be risk management tools. The objectives of derivatives are either to hedge a risk, or to speculate. Derivatives may be classified by the manner in which they are traded, either over the counter (OTC) or on exchange. Alternatively, derivatives may be classified on the basis of structure and mechanisms, i.e. forwards, futures, options or swaps.
Risk and risk management are defined in the third chapter with the focus on merchant banking. The nature of risk is that it is inherent in all activities. The nature of risk management is that it aims to ensure that the risks faced by the merchant bank are managed on a daily basis. The objective of risk management is to ensure that losses are minimised and the appropriate level of risk is taken in order to maximise profits. Risk may be classified as operational, operations, market, systemic, credit and legal risk. A comprehensive discussion of credit risk is presented, as it pertains to the legal risk in derivatives in a merchant bank. This includes insolvency, set-off, netting, credit derivatives and collateral.
Legal risk is defined as the risk of loss primarily caused by legal unenforceability (i.e. a defective transaction, for instance a contract), legal liability (i.e. a claim) or failure to take legal steps to protect assets (e.g. intellectual property). The nature of legal risk is that it is caused by jurisdictional and other cross-border factors, inadequate documentation, the behaviour of financial institutions, a lack of internal controls, financial innovation or the inherent uncertainty of the law. The objectives of legal risk management in derivatives are to avoid the direct and indirect costs associated with legal risk materialising. This includes reputational damage. Derivatives attract specific legal risks due to the complexity of the instruments as well as the constant innovation in the market. There remains some legal uncertainty regarding derivatives in terms of gaming, wagering and gambling, as well as insurance.
The relationship between risk and derivatives is that due to the complexity and constant innovation associated with derivatives, there are some inherent risks to trading in derivatives. It is therefore important to ensure that there is a vested risk management culture in the derivatives trading environment.
Chapter four gives an overview of derivatives legislation in foreign jurisdictions and in South Africa. The contractual and documentation issues are discussed with reference to ad hoc agreements, master agreements and ISDA agreements. The practical implementation issues of master agreements and ad hoc agreements are also discussed.
The recommendations are that legal risk management be approached in a similar manner to credit, market and other risk disciplines. A legal risk management policy needs to be developed and implemented. The second recommendation is that a derivative to manage the legal risk in derivatives be developed.
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The legal regulation of corporate governance with reference to international trendsHorn, Roelof Combrinck 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (LLM (Mercantile Law))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Corporate governance is defined as the system by which companies are managed and controlled. The concept came to the fore with the Cadbury Report in England in 1992 and has since been the topic of much academic discussion. The recent collapse of companies like Enron and WorldCom raised serious questions about international corporate governance practices. This has resulted in widespread reform. In the United States large-scale prescriptive measures were implemented through the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The United Kingdom persisted with their principle-based approach of comply or explain, although some amendments were made to the Combined Code through a joint effort by the Co-ordinating Group on Audit and Accounting Issues, the Smith Report and the Higgs Report. In Australia change took the form of the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and CLERP 9. South Africa, influenced by its common law background, followed a similar approach to that of the United Kingdom but has recently adopted a more prescriptive approach similar to that of the US. The King Committee was set up to review corporate governance in South Africa and two reports report were published – one in 1994 and another in 2002. Amendments to the JSE Listings Requirements followed. The Konar Report made recommendations on the reform of the accounting and auditing profession. The Department of Trade and Industry has recently launched a review of South African company law in conjunction with a review of the audit and accounting professions. These recent developments in company law will however not be discussed in depth as it is at a very early stage and is still subject to change. The aim of this study is to evaluate and determine whether or not the reform in South Africa is adequate to address the questions raised by recent corporate scandals in South Africa. The question also has to be asked whether South Africa should follow international trends in reform just for the sake of reforming. This requires an understanding of the principles underlying corporate governance and the reasons for the existence of corporate governance rules. With the increasing separation between ownership and control the accountability of directors has waned considerably. When addressing corporate governance issues, this must be kept in mind constantly. While the focus of recent reform has been on the company, its directors and auditors, the role of shareholders should not be ignored. What is needed to prevent directors and managers from abusing their positions of power are more informed and involved shareholders. The different role players must also cooperate in developing a culture of ethical behaviour and an environment of openness and accountability.
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Legal and ethical aspects of nursing practice in selected private hospitals in the Western Cape Metropolitan AreaDorse, Aletta Jacomina 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (NCur (Nursing Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / The current shortage of nurses has reached crisis proportions in South Africa and the effects of decreased numbers of health professionals are enormous. This results in far-reaching consequences for the health industry. An increased use of less-skilled personnel, in an attempt to meet the health care needs, impacts negatively on quality care. Personnel are often utilised outside their scope of practice, creating a high-risk therapeutic environment for the patients and health care workers alike.
Consequently, the nursing managers and employers of nurses are currently faced with major challenges in ensuring that the nurses practise their profession within a safe and healthy environment, and within the legal and ethical framework of the nursing profession.
For the purpose of this study the researcher decided to explore legal and ethical aspects influencing the clinical practice of the nurse.
Specific objectives were set for the study.
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Are nurses functioning outside their scope of practice?
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Do nurses exercise their nursing right?
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Do nurses function within ethical and legal guidelines?
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Do caregivers function as nurses?
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Do nurses still believe in the nursing philosophy?
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Are nurses exploited in their area of work?
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How much overtime do nurses work?
These objectives were met through an in-depth explorative descriptive research design with a quantitative approach to explore legal and ethical aspects in the nursing practice. A stratified sample was drawn of all categories of nurses in selected private hospitals in the Western Cape Metropolitan area. Through the use of a questionnaire, data was collected personally by the researcher.
Data analysis techniques that were used were based on descriptive and explorative procedures. Data was compressed in frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. The Chi-square test was applied. Findings include the following:
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53% of enrolled nursing assistants do not function under indirect supervision.
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40% of caregivers assist nurses with interventional nursing care.
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Nurses still believe in the philosophy of the nursing profession.
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The nurse’s rights are in contradiction with the patient’s rights (p = 0.08).
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Nurses feel exploited in certain areas of work, depending on their qualifications.
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Nurses do recommend the profession (p = 0.043).
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Enrolled nursing assistants do not respect other religions (p = 0.04).
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Nurses feel free to discuss the patient’s progress with the doctor depending on the nurses’ years of experience (p = 0.03).
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23% of nurses love to care for their patients.
Recommendations were made based on the findings.
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The patient approach should be respectful, not judgemental, accepting the patient’s right to self-autonomy.
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Nurses should realise their autonomous role in addressing concerns.
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A staff mix should be utilised that facilitates safe and professional nursing care.
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Unfavourable or unsociable working conditions in some units such as the theatre should be addressed.
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Managers should match the work load with a proper skills mix and competency.
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Nursing practice should take place within the professional and statutory scope of practice of the nurse.
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Nurses should keep up to date with knowledge through continuous professional development.
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Caregivers should be regulated, installing the nursing philosophy and ethics into their practice.
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Misrepresentation by non-disclosure in South African lawCupido, Robin Vicky 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (LLM)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the approach to non-disclosure as a form of misrepresentation in
South African law. The primary focus is the question of liability, and whether parties should be
able to claim relief based on non-disclosure. In order to determine this, attention is also paid
to the standards which have traditionally been employed in cases of non-disclosure, and it is
questioned whether a general test can be formulated which could be used in all such
instances.
The point of departure in this discussion is a general historical and comparative overview of
the law relating to non-disclosure. This overview places the position in modern South African
law in context, and highlights some of the similarities between our current position regarding
non-disclosure and the position in other jurisdictions. The overview also sets out the
provisions relating to non-disclosure in international legal instruments, which could be of use
in interpreting concepts used in our law.
The study then shifts to an exploration of the specific situations, such as the conclusion of
insurance agreements, or agreements of sale involving latent defects, where South African
law automatically imposes a duty of disclosure. These instances are the exception to the
general rule against imposing duties of disclosure on contracting parties. The study reveals
that certain principles are applied in more than one of these exceptional cases, and attention
is paid to each in order to determine which principles are most prevalent. It is suggested that
the nature of the relationship between the parties is the underlying reason for always
imposing duties of disclosure in these circumstances. Attention is then paid to the judicial development of the law relating to non-disclosure,
specifically in those cases which fall outside the recognised special cases referred to above.
The remedies available to a party when they have been wronged by another’s non-disclosure
are identified and investigated here, namely rescission and damages. A distinction is drawn
between the treatment of non-disclosure in the contractual sphere and the approach taken in
the law of delict. The different requirements for each remedy are explored and evaluated.
A detailed examination of the key judgments relating to non-disclosure shows us that the
judiciary apply similar principles to those identified in the discussion of the exceptional instances when deciding to impose liability based on non-disclosure. Reliance is also placed
on the standards set out in the earlier historical and comparative discussion. The most
prevalent of these standards are the nature of the relationship between the parties and the
good faith principle.
It is then considered whether all of these principles and elements could be used in order to
distill one general standard that could be used to determine whether non-disclosure could
give rise to relief. The conclusion is drawn that it may not be advisable to adopt such a
standard, and that the seemingly fragmented treatment of non-disclosure in South African law
thus far has enabled its development and will continue to do so. A number of key
considerations have been identified as possible standards, and these considerations can be
applied by the judiciary on a case by case basis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis ondersoek wanvoorstelling deur stilswye in die Suid-Afrikaanse kontraktereg.
Die primêre fokus is op wanneer stilswye aanleiding gee tot aanspreeklikheid, en watter
remedies daaruit voortvloei. Om dit vas te stel, word aandag geskenk aan die standaarde wat
tradisioneel gebruik word in gevalle van stilswye, en word veral bevraagteken of 'n algemene
toets formuleer kan word wat in al sulke gevalle toepassing sou kon vind.
Die ondersoek begin met ‘n algemene historiese en regsvergelykende oorsig, wat die konteks
verskaf vir die analise van die posisie in die moderne Suid-Afrikaanse reg, en ooreenkomste
tussen hierdie posisie en die benadering in ander jurisdiksies na vore bring. Die bepalings
van sekere internasionale regsinstrumente wat spesifiek met stilswye handel, word ook
ondersoek om te bepaal hulle van nut kan wees by die uitleg van konsepte wat in die Suid-
Afrikaanse reg gebruik word.
Die fokus van die studie verskuif dan na spesifieke, uitsonderlike gevalle waar die Suid-
Afrikaanse reg outomaties ‘n openbaringsplig tussen partye erken. Prominente voorbeelde is
versekeringskontrakte en koopkontrakte waar die merx ‘n verborge gebrek het. Hierdie
gevalle is uitsonderings op die algemene reël dat kontrakspartye nie openbaringspligte het
nie. Dit kom voor dat sekere gemeenskaplike beginsels van toepassing is in sekere van die
uitsonderingsgevalle, en dit word ondersoek hoekom hierdie beginsels gereeld na vore tree.
Dit word ook voorgestel dat die aard van die verhouding tussen die partye die onderliggende
rede is waarom ons reg openbaringspligte in hierdie spesifieke omstandighede oplê. Aandag word dan geskenk aan die regterlike ontwikkeling van die regsposisie ten opsigte van
stilswye in gevalle wat nie by een van die bogenoemde erkende uitsonderings tuisgebring kan
word nie. Die remedies beskikbaar aan partye wanneer hulle deur ‘n ander se stilswye
benadeel is, word hier geïdentifiseer en ondersoek. Hierdie remedies is die kontraktuele
remedie van aanvegting (moontlik gevolg deur teruggawe) en die deliktuele remedie van
skadevergoeding. ‘n Onderskeid word ook getref tussen die hantering van stilswye in die
kontraktereg en die benadering wat in die deliktereg gevolg word. Aan die hand van hierdie
onderskeid word die vereistes vir albei remedies bepreek. Die belangrikste uitsprake van die howe in gevalle wat nie by die spesifieke, uitsonderlike
kategorieë tuisgebring kan word nie, word dan oorweeg. Dit is duidelik dat die howe in die
konteks van hierdie residuele gevalle soortgelyke beginsels geïdentifiseer het as dié wat
voorgekom het by gevalle soos versekering en koop. Uit hierdie uitsprake blyk dit ook duidelik
dat die howe ag slaan op soortgelyke standaarde as dié wat in die historiese en vergelykende
oorsig na vore getree het. In dié verband is die aard van die partye se verhouding en die
goeie trou beginsel veral prominent.
Ten slotte word oorweeg of die beginsels en elemente wat hierbo geïdentifiseer is, gebruik
kan word om ‘n algemene standaard te ontwikkel wat gebruik sal kan word om te bepaal of ʼn
openbaringsplig ontstaan. Die gevolgtrekking word bereik dat so ‘n algemene standaard nie
noodwendig die beste oplossing is nie. Die oënskynlik gefragmenteerde hantering van
stilswye in die Suid-Afrikaanse het tot dusver tog regsontwikkeling bevorder, en sal
waarskynlik ook voortgaan om dit te doen. ʼn Aantal kernoorwegings kan wel geïdentifiseer
word, wat dan sou kon dien as moontlike standaarde wat regsontwikkeling verder sou kon
bevorder, en wat deur die howe toegepas sou kon word na gelang van die spesifieke
omstandighede van elke saak.
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Compensation for excessive but otherwise lawful regulatory state actionBezuidenhout, Karen 03 1900 (has links)
Thesis (LLD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Section 25 of the South African Constitution authorises and sets the limits for two forms of legitimate regulatory interference with property, namely deprivation and expropriation. The focus of this dissertation is on the requirement in section 25(1) that no law may authorise arbitrary deprivation of property. According to the Constitutional Court, deprivation is arbitrary when there is insufficient reason for it. The Court listed a number of factors to consider in determining whether there is a sufficient relationship between the purpose to be achieved by deprivation and the regulatory method chosen to achieve it.
The outcome of the arbitrariness question depends on the level of scrutiny applied in a particular case. The level of scrutiny ranges from rationality review to proportionality review. Deprivation that results in an excessively harsh regulatory burden for one or a small group of property owners will probably be substantively arbitrary and in conflict with section 25(1). Courts generally declare unconstitutional regulatory interferences with property rights invalid. However, invalidating legitimate regulatory measures that are otherwise lawful purely because they impose a harsh and excessive burden on some property owners may not always be justified if the regulatory measure fulfils an important regulatory purpose. Invalidating excessive regulatory measures may in some instances also be meaningless and may not constitute appropriate relief in vindicating the affected rights.
The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the appropriateness of alternative solutions to invalidating otherwise lawful and legitimate but excessive regulatory deprivations of property. The goal is to identify remedies that allow courts to uphold the regulatory measure and simultaneously balance out the excessive regulatory burden it imposes on property owners.
One alternative solution is to transform the excessive regulatory measure into expropriation and require the state to pay compensation to the affected owner. This approach is referred to as constructive expropriation. However, in view of the Constitutional Court’s approach to and the wording of section 25 it seems unlikely that it will adopt constructive expropriation as a solution.
Another alternative solution is for the legislature to include a statutory provision for compensation in the authorising statute. Examples from German, French, Dutch and Belgian law show that this approach balances out the excessive regulatory burden and allows courts to uphold the otherwise lawful and legitimate but excessive regulatory statute without judicially transforming the deprivation into expropriation. An overview of South African law indicates that there is legislation that includes non-expropriatory compensation provisions. In cases where the regulatory statute does not contain a compensation provision, the courts might consider reading such a duty to pay compensation into the legislation or awarding constitutional damages.
In conclusion, it is possible for the state to deprive owners of property in a manner that may result in an excessive regulatory burden being suffered by one or a small group of property owners if the regulatory purpose is necessary in the public interest, provided that the legislature explicitly or implicitly provides for non-expropriatory compensation in the regulatory statute. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Artikel 25 van die Suid Afrikaanse Grondwet magtig en stel grense daar vir twee regmatige vorme van regulerende staatsinmenging met eiendom, naamlik ontneming en onteiening. Die fokus van hierdie proefskrif is op die vereiste in artikel 25(1) dat geen wet arbitrêre ontneming van eiendom mag toelaat nie. Volgens die Grondwetlike Hof is ʼn ontneming arbitrêr as daar nie ʼn voldoende rede daarvoor is nie. Die Hof het faktore gelys wat oorweeg moet word om te bepaal of daar ʼn voldoende verhouding bestaan tussen die doel wat die staat met ontneming van eiendom nastreef en die regulerende maatreël wat vir die doel gebruik word.
Die uitkoms van die toets vir arbitrêre ontneming hang af van die hersieningsstandaard wat die howe in ʼn spesifieke geval gebruik. Die standaard wissel van ʼn redelikheidstoets tot ʼn proporsionaliteitstoets. ʼn Ontneming wat ʼn oormatige swaar las op een of ʼn beperkte groep eienaars plaas sal waarskynlik arbitrêr en teenstrydig met artikel 25(1) wees. Die howe se benadering is om ongrondwetlike ontnemings van eiendom ongeldig te verklaar, maar dit is nie altyd geregverdig om toelaatbare en andersins regmatige ontnemings wat ʼn oormatige las op sommige eienaars plaas ongeldig te verklaar nie. Die ongeldigverklaring van wetgewing wat ʼn oormatige ontneming magtig mag soms ook nutteloos wees en nie ʼn gepaste remedie wees om die eienaar se regte te herstel nie.
Die doel van hierdie proefskrif is om die geskiktheid van alternatiewe oplossings tot die ongeldigverklaring van andersins regmatige maar oormatige ontnemings van eiendom te ondersoek Die doel is om remedies te identifiseer wat die howe toelaat om regulerende ontnemings in stand te hou en terselfdertyd die oormatige las op enkele eienaars uit te balanseer.
Een alternatiewe oplossing is om die oormatige ontneming te omskep in onteiening en die staat sodoende te verplig om aan die eienaar vergoeding te betaal. Hierdie benadering staan bekend as konstruktiewe onteiening. Gegewe die Grondwetlike Hof se benadering tot en die bewoording van artikel 25 is dit onwaarskynlik dat die howe konstruktiewe ontneming as ʼn oplossing sal aanvaar.
ʼn Ander alternatiewe oplossing is vir die wetgewer om ʼn statutêre bepaling vir vergoeding in die magtigende wetgewing in te voeg. Voorbeelde uit die Duitse, Franse, Nederlandse en Belgiese reg toon aan dat hierdie benadering ʼn oormatige las kan uitbalanseer en die howe toelaat om die andersins geldige en regmatige ontneming in stand te hou sonder om dit in onteiening te omskep. ʼn Oorsig van Suid Afrikaanse reg dui aan dat daar wetgewing bestaan wat wel voorsiening maak vir sodanige vergoeding. In gevalle waar die magtigende wetgewing nie vergoeding voorsien nie kan die howe oorweeg om ʼn vergoedingsplig in die wet in te lees of om grondwetlike vergoeding toe te ken.
Hierdie proefskrif kom tot die gevolgtrekking dat dit grondwetlik moontlik is vir die staat om eienaars van eiendom te ontneem op ʼn wyse wat soms daartoe kan lei dat enkele eienaars ʼn oormatige swaar las moet dra, mits die ontneming ʼn belangrike openbare doel dien en die wetgewer uitdruklik of implisiet voorsiening maak vir vergoeding.
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Critical analysis of the components of the transfer pricing provisions contained in Section 31(2) of the Income Tax Act, no 58 of 1962Van der Westhuysen, Gerdi, Van Schalkwyk, L. 12 1900 (has links)
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
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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
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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.
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An analysis of sections 11D(1)(A) and 11D(5)(B) of the income tax Act No. 58 of 1962 as amendedStrauss, Carien 12 1900 (has links)
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.
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Pension interest at divorce : a guide to the treatment of pension interest at divorce with reference to the history, the changes made to legislation, and the expected future outcome as based upon the current outstanding issues to be addressed by the legislature and the Minister of FinanceDu Preez, Johannes Lodewicus 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MAcc) -- Stellenbosch University, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Due to a number of legislative changes, the tax treatment of pension interest at divorce has become a complicated issue, as it is not only affected by the Income Tax Act, but also by the Pension Funds Act as well as the Divorce Act. Because these changes are still fairly new to the industry, there are still a couple of technical issues on which the industry is not clear. In practice there are many articles and writers trying to give some form of guidance regarding the technical issues of pension interest at divorce. The study will refer to case law that affected the changes made to the Pension Funds Act, which led to the institution of the “clean-break” principle. Some of the technical issues with regard to a payment of an award made to a non-member spouse by a divorce order will be included along with a discussion on difficulties and uncertainties arising from the “clean-break” principle. The focus of the study will then be directed towards changes made to the Income Tax Act. Specific reference will be made to the tax on an award made to a non-member spouse by a divorce order. In some cases the tax on such an award will be recovered from the member spouse. The Income Tax Act does however provide for a right of recovery, which will be discussed. The payment of the tax from the member’s individual reserve however constitutes an additional accrual according to the Income Tax Act, which leads to a tax-on-tax issue. A discussion on GN33 will be included, as GN33 addresses the tax-on-tax issue. A chapter on preservation funds is included, as it is important to understand the working of these funds on when a non-member spouse has the option to transfer his/her pension interest to such a fund. The study will then look at an inequitable position in which the member finds him/herself when party to a divorce order made before 13 September 2007. Due to the changes made to the Income Tax Act, a situation arose where the member spouse looses out on all or part of his/her R300 000 tax free benefit as allowed by the Income Tax Act for withdrawals from his/her retirement funds. The study will include considerations for financial planning. The industry is placing more and more emphasis on sound financial planning, and it is therefore important to understand the key considerations, which an advisor or a party to a divorce should consider. The study will include a discussion on some of the outstanding issues, which the industry expects the legislature to address in the near future. As the changes to the Income Tax Act are ever changing and the discussion on pension interest at divorce is still a new topic under discussion, the industry is keeping an eye on the expected changes from the finance ministry and the legislature. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: As gevolg van ’n aantal veranderinge in wetgewing, het die belastinghantering van
pensioenbelang by egskeiding ’n ingewikkelde kwessie geword, aangesien dit nie net deur
die Inkomstebelastingwet beïnvloed word nie, maar ook deur die Pensioenfondswet sowel
as die Egskeidingswet. Die studie sal verwys na regspraak wat aanleiding gegee het tot die
veranderinge wat in die Pensioenfondswet gemaak is en wat gelei het tot die instelling van
die “skoon-breuk”-beginsel.
Sommige van die tegniese vrae wat betref die betaling van ’n toekenning aan ’n nie-lid-gade
by ’n egskeidingsbevel sal ingesluit word saam met ’n bespreking van probleme en
onsekerhede wat uit die “skoon-breuk”-beginsel voortspruit.
Die fokus van die studie sal dan gerig word op veranderinge wat in die
Inkomstebelastingwet aangebring is. As gevolg van veranderinge in wetgewing op spesifieke
datums, word ’n toekenning wat aan ’n nie-lid-gade gemaak is in terme van ’n
egskeidingsbevel belas onder drie verskillende belastingregimes, afhangende van die datum
van die egskeidingsbevel.
Daar sal spesifiek verwys word na die belasting op ’n toekenning aan ’n nie-lid-gade. In
sommige gevalle sal die belasting op so ’n toekenning verhaal word van die lid-gade. Die
Inkomstebelastingwet maak egter voorsiening vir ’n verhalingsreg wat ook bespreek sal
word. Die betaling van die belasting vanuit die lid-gade se minimum individuele reserwe
word egter erken as ’n addisionele toevalling in terme van die Inkomstebelastingwet wat lei
tot ’n belasting-op-belasting kwessie. GN33 sal bespreek word aangesien hierdie algemene
nota die kwessie aanspreek. ’n Hoofstuk oor bewaringsfondse word ingesluit, aangesien dit belangrik is om die werking
van hierdie fondse te verstaan wanneer ’n nie-lid-gade die opsie het om sy/haar
pensioenbelang na so ’n fonds oor te dra.
Die studie sal dan kyk na ’n onbillike posisie waarin die lid hom/haarself bevind as hy/sy
party was by ’n egskeiding voor 13 September 2007. As gevolg van die veranderinge wat in
die Inkomstebelastingwet aangebring is, het ’n situasie ontstaan waar die lid eggenoot ’n
gedeelte van sy/haar R300 000 belastingvrye voordeel vir onttrekkings van sy/haar
aftreefonds, verloor.
Die studie sal oorwegings vir finansiële beplanning insluit. Die bedryf plaas al meer klem op
omvattende finansiële beplanning en dit is dus belangrik om die deurslaggewende
oorwegings waarmee ’n adviseur of ’n party by ’n egskeiding moet rekening hou, te
verstaan.
Ten slotte sal die studie ’n bespreking insluit van sommige uitstaande kwessies wat die
industrie verwag die wetgewer in die toekoms moet aanspreek.
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480 |
Skenkings aan 'n trust en die daaropvolgende vermindering van die trust se uitstaande leningsrekening : die belasting op kapitaalwinsdilemmaMarx, Erick 12 1900 (has links)
Thesis (MComm) Stellenbosch University, 2005. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wanneer 'n natuurlike persoon (die vereffenaar) besluit om sy of haar groeibates
(byvoorbeeld, vaste eiendom of aandele) aan sy of haar familietrust oor te dra, word
sodanige bate-oordrag se markwaarde gewoonlik (volgens die mening van die
belastingskrywers, Keith Huxham en Phillip Haupt) deur die toestaan van 'n rentevrye
leningsrekening aan die trust gefinansier. Die vermindering van die bedoelde uitstaande
skuld by wyse van skenkings van die vereffenaar, het met die verordening van belasting
op kapitaalwins (BKW) op 1 Oktober 2001 'n BKW-dilemma vir sodanige trust geskep. 'n
BKW-aanspreeklikheid ingevolge paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die
Inkomstebelastingwet, NO.58 van 1962, soos gewysig, (hierna as "die Wet" verwys) sal in
hierdie omstandighede vir die trust ontstaan, omrede die toepaslike vermindering as 'n
vermindering van 'n debiteur (die familietrust) se skuld (die uitstaande leningsverpligting)
deur 'n krediteur (die vereffenaar) teen geen vergoeding beskou mag word.
Belastingraadgewers in die algemeen adviseer gevolglik (volgens onder meer die siening
van 'n regskonsultant van San lam Trust, Elmarene Erasmus) hulle kliente dat 'n trust
benut moet word op 'n wyse wat verseker dat die vereffenaar nie die trust se tersaaklike
uitstaande leningsrekening vir geen werklike betaling verminder nie. 'n Werklike betaling
van die skenking word derhalwe voorgestel. Sodanige werklike betaling word
bewerkstellig deurdat die vereffenaar 'n bedrag geld ten bedrae van R30 000 (die
skenkingsbelasting-vrystellingsperk ingevolge artikel 56(2)(b) van die Wet) direk aan die
trust betaal of andersins 'n tjek vir die betrokke bedrag aan die trust uitreik. Teen die einde
van die belastingjaar, dit wil se nadat die toepaslike skenking ontvang is, besluit die
trustees van die trust meestal om die kontant, wat per die trust se rekeningkundige
rekords op hande is, aan te wend ter aflossing van 'n gedeelte van die uitstaande
leningsverpligting aan die vereffenaar verskuldig.
Daar word deurgaans veronderstel dat die toepaslike trust in hierdie omstandighede oor
geen verdere uitstaande skuld, rentedraend al dan nie, beskik nie.
Deur te aanvaar dat die vereffenaar nie.regstreeks afstand doen van 'n gedeelte van die
uitstaande lening vir geen betaling nie, is die waarskynlikheid dat 'n BKWaanspreeklikheid
vir die trust (vanwee enige leningsvermindering) sal ontstaan deur
middel van die studie bepaal.
Die betekenis van die frase "verminder of afgelos" ("reduced or discharged" per die
Engelse teks van die Wet) ingevolge paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die Wet is
onder meer verklaar aan die hand van die woordeboekbetekenis van die woorde
"reduced" en "discharged" en die strekking van "kwytskelding" en "voldoening" as
relevante vorme van tenietgaan van 'n verbintenis (byvoorbeeld, 'n uitstaande
leningsverpligting) kragtens die Suid-Afrikaanse kontrakte- en handelsreg. Die skrywer het
die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat die betrokke frase dui op die gedeeltelike of algehele
kwytskelding deur 'n krediteur van 'n skuld (soos byvoorbeeld, 'n uitstaande
leningsverpligting) wat deur 'n debiteur aan die bedoelde krediteur verskuldig is.
Voldoening (as 'n verskyningsvorm van die tenietgaan van 'n verbintenis) aan 'n skuld op
'n gedeeltelike of volledige basis deur middel van die betaling van 'n bedrag geld of 'n
tjekbetaling kan egter volgens hierdie gevolgtrekking nie as 'n vermindering of aflossing
van 'n skuld teen geen vergoeding ingevolge paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die
Wet gesien word nie.
Die sogenaamde "verwisseling van tjeks" - prosedure ter ondersteuning van die
tersaaklike skenking- en leningvermindering-betalings is vir studiedoeleindes as 'n
ekwivalent vir 'n verwisseling van 'n bedrag geld geag. 'n Ondersoek na die relevante
howe se benaderings in Suid-Afrikaanse belastingsake [naamlik, ITC 1583 (1993) 57
SATC 58, ITC 1603 (1995) 58 SATC 212 en ITC 1690 (1999) 62 SATC 497] asook
buitelandse sake [naamlik, Richard Walter (Pty) Limited v Commissioner of Taxation
(1996) 67 FCR 243; 33 ATR 97 en MacNiven (Her Majesty's Inspector of Taxes) v
Westmoreland Investments Limited (2001) UKHL 6; (2001) 1 ALL ER 865] ten aansien
van sodanige prosedure, het aangetoon dat dit benut kan word as 'n grondslag vir die
geldige nakoming van, oftewel voldoening aan 'n verbonde party se uitstaande skuld
ingevolge 'n tersaaklike transaksie of reeling. Die onderliggende transaksie of reeling moet
egter oor 'n regsgeldige uitwerking beskik, ooreenstemmend met die toepaslike
regsgeldige bedoeling van die betrokke partye.
Analisering van die vermindering van 'n trust se uitstaande leningsverpligting in samehang
met die voorafgaande ontvangs van skenkingbetalings, het ook met verwysing na die
gemeenregtelike wese bo vorm - leerstuk geskied. Hierdie ontleding het onder andere
benadruk dat die belastingdoeltreffende werking (veraI in 'n BKW-konteks) van die
bestudeerde reeling die aanwesigheid van egte ("genuine") en ongesimuleerde skenkingen
leningvermindering-betalings, ooreenkomstig die regsgeldige bedoeling van die
vereffenaar en trustees van die familietrust, om onderskeidelik skenkings en
leningverminderings teweeg te bring, vereis.
Die moontlike toepassing en effek van artikel 103(1) van die Wet (die Suid-Afrikaanse
algemene teenvermydingsbepaling) op die bestudeerde reeling, is oorweeg deur onder
meer ag te slaan op die siening van belastingskrywers (soos byvoorbeeld, D. Clegg, M.A.
Kolitz en K. van der Linde) aangaande die uitwerking van hierdie bepaling op transaksies
en reelings in die algemeen. Die skrywer het tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die
toepaslike skenking- en leningvermindering-betalings onderskeidelik op 'n afsonderlike
basis oor bona fide besigheidsdoelwitte moet beskik. Die besigheidsdoelwit van die
skenkingbetalings mag byvoorbeeld verband hou met die vereffenaar se oogmerk om sy
of haar persoonlike bates buite die bereik van sy of haar ondernemingskrediteure te plaas,
gegewe die aanname dat die vereffenaar 'n sake-ondernemimg bedryf. Die
leningvermindering-betalings se gepaardgaande besigheidsdoelwit mag weer betrekking
he op die verbetering van die familietrust se balansstaatposisie soos weerspieel deur
finansiele verhoudingsgetalle met betrekking tot onder andere Iikwiditeit en solvabiliteit.
Verder is dit in hierdie verband van essensiele belang dat daar geen skakel of verbintenis
tussen die onderliggende betalings moet bestaan nie. Die belastingskrywer, M.L. Stein se
mening bied steun vir die belang van die afwesigheid van die bedoelde interafhanklikheid.
Die teenwoordigheid van die betrokke besigheidsdoelwitte tesame met die ontbreking van
enige interafhanklikheid tussen die relevante betalings, behoort dus (volgens die skrywer
se beskouing) te verhoed dat die belastingeffektiewe werking (veral in 'n BKW-verband)
van die reeling onder oorweging deur artikeI103(1) van die Wet se toepassing en effek ter
syde gestel word.
Die skrywer het tot die slotsom gekom dat egte, onvoorwaardelike (jaarlikse)
skenkingbetalings deur die vereffenaar aan sy of haar familietrust wat aan die einde van
die belastingjaar opgevolg word deur ongesimuleerde leningvermindering-betalings,
geInisieer deur die trust se trustees sonder enige inmenging of invloed van die
vereffenaar, na aile waarskynJikheid'n BKW-dilemma vir die familietrust (in die vorm van
'n BKW-aanspreeklikheid per paragraaf 12(5) van die Agtste Bylae tot die Wet ten aansien
van enige leningsvermindering) sal uitskakel. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When a natural person (the settlor) decides to transfer his or her growth assets (for
example, fixed property or shares) to his or her family trust, the market value of such a
asset transfer is usually financed (according to the opinion of certain tax authors, for
instance, Keith Huxham and Phillip Haupt) through the grant of a interest free loan
account to the appropriate trust. The reduction of the proper indebtedness by way of
donations from the settlor, created a capital gains tax (CGT) dilemma for the trust
concerned since the commencement of CGT on 1 October 2001. A liability for CGT in
terms of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule to the Income Tax Act 58 of 1962, as
amended, (hereinafter referred to as ''the Act'1 will arise in these circumstances in respect
of the trust, because the applicable reduction may be seen as a reduction of the debt (the
outstanding loan account) of a debtor (the family trust) by a creditor (the settlor) for no
consideration.
In general, tax consultants consequently advise their clients (in accordance with, among
others, the view of Elmar{me Erasmus, a legal advisor of Sanlam Trust) that a trust should
be utilise in a manner which would ensure that the settlor does not reduce the outstanding
loan account of the relevant trust for no actual payment. Hence an actual payment of the
donation is proposed. The real payment as such is accomplish through the direct payment
of R30 000 (the exemption amount for donation tax purposes in terms of section 56(2)(b)
of the Act) by the settlor to the trust or otherwise through the issue of a cheque in the
amount of R30 000 by him or her. At the end of the tax year, that is after the receipt of the
relevant donation, the trustees of the trust will in most of the time decide to appropriate the
cash on hand (as per the accounting records of the trust) in order to redeem a portion of
the outstanding loan liability due to the settlor.
The assumption that the apposite trust in these circumstances has no additional
outstanding debt (interest free or not) is maintained on a continuous basis.
By the acceptance of the fact that the settlor does not directly relinquish a portion of the
outstanding loan for no payment, the probability that a CGT liability would arise in respect
of the trust (on account of any loan reduction) is determined by means of the study
concerned.
The meaning of the phrase "reduced or discharged" in terms of paragraph 12(5) of the
Eighth Schedule to the Act is inter alia explained according to the dictionary construction of
the words "reduced" and "discharged" and the effect of "remission" and "settlement" as
relevant forms of dissolution of an agreement in pursuance of the contract - and
mercantile law of South Africa. The author concluded that the appropriate phrase is
indicative of the partial or complete remission of an indebtedness (for example, an
outstanding loan liability) by a creditor owed by a debtor to the creditor involved.
Settlement (as a form of dissolution of an agreement) of an indebtedness on a partial or
complete basis by means of the payment of an amount of money or payment by cheque
may however in accordance with this inference not be perceived as a reduction or
dischargement of a debt for no consideration in terms of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth
Schedule to the Act.
The so - called "exchange of cheques" procedure in support of the relevant donation - and
loan reduction payments is deemed for study purposes to be the equivalent of an
exchange of an amount of money. An examination of the approaches by the proper courts
in South African tax cases [to wit, ITC 1583 (1993) 57 SATC 58, ITC 1603 (1995) 58
SATC 212 and ITC 1690 (1999) 62 SATC 497] as well as foreign cases [to wit, Richard
Walter (Pty) Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (1996) 67 FCR 243; 33 ATR 97 and
MacNiven (Her Majesty's Inspector of Taxes) v Westmoreland Investments Limited (2001)
UKHL 6; (2001) 1 ALL ER 865] with regard to the procedure in question has demonstrated
that it could be turn to account as a basis for the valid fulfilment of, that is to say the
settlement of the outstanding indebtedness of a connected person in respect of the
relevant transaction or arrangement. The underlying transaction or arrangement should
however have a result sufficient in law, in correspondence with the apposite legal intention
of the parties involved.
Analysis of the reduction of the outstanding loan liability in relation to a trust in conjunction
with the foregoing receipt of donation payments also occurred with reference to the
common - law substance over form doctrine. The analysis in question inter alia
emphasises that the tax efficient operation (especially in a CGT context) of the scrutinised
arrangement necessitates the existence of genuine, unsimulated donation - and loan
reduction payments according to the legal intentions of the settlor and trustees of the
family trust to respectively give occasion to donations and loan reductions.
The conceivable application and effect of section 103(1) of the Act (the general anti _
avoidance provision in South Africa) in respect of the scrutinised arrangement is
considered inter alia on account of the views of certain tax authors (for instance, D. Clegg,
M.A. Kolitz and K. van der Linde) with reference to the application and effect of this
provision on transactions and arrangements in general. The author deduced that the
relevant donation - and loan reduction payments each ought to possess a bona fide
business purpose on a separate basis. The business purpose in connection with the
donation payments may for instance have relevance to the intention of the settlor to locate
his or her personal assets outside the range of his or her business creditors, in light of the
supposition that the settlor is carrying on a business venture. The business purpose that
may be coupled with the loan reduction payments could refer to the enhancement of the
balance sheet position of the family trust as reflected by financial ratios in respect of,
among other things, liquidity and solvability. Moreover it is essential in this context that no
link or connection exists between the underlying payments. The opinion of the tax author,
M.L. Stein renders support for the significance of the absence in relation to the correlation
concerned. The presence of the appropriate business purposes along with the absence of
any interdependance between the relevant payments should consequently (according to
the view of the author) avert that the application and effect of section 103(1) of the Act
would disregard the tax efficient operation (particularly in a CGT context) of the
arrangement considered.
The author arrived at a conclusion that genuine, unconditional (annual) donation
payments by the settlor to his or her family trust which are succeeded by unsimulated loan
reduction payments at the end of the tax year, initiated by the trustees of the trust without
any interference from or influence of the settlor, would in all probability preclude a CGT
dilemma (in the form of a CGT liability in terms of paragraph 12(5) of the Eighth Schedule
to the Act in relation to any loan reduction) for the family trust.
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