The promotion of Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) has been identified as key strategy of government for employment creation and income generation. For some time now small business owners had to fend for themselves. Small business was neglected and was in the main ignored by government. Since the 1994 democratic process the challenge for the new order has been to create an enabling environment for the small business sector of the economy. The historical neglect and the consequent policy vacuum has had to be re assessed. To this end the 1995 White Paper on a National Strategy for the development and Promotion of Small Business in South Africa was the first major effort by government to design a policy framework targeting the small business sector. The promulgation of the Small Business Act in 1996 and the establishment of the Ntsika Enterprise Promotion agency under the aegis of the Department of Trade and Industry has attempted to provide direction and facilitate the provision of Non Financial support to the Small Business Sector. Various incentive schemes have been developed and put into operation together with a range of tax incentives to help promote Small Business. Eight years have passed since the promulgation of the Small Business Act and the perception that finance for SMMEs has been the greatest stumbling block to development. However the failure of the vast numbers of micro lending agencies have revealed that low levels of entrepreneurship has led to their demise. The provision of meaningful positive incentives need to be measured and their effectiveness needs to be tested. This study will try and identify the incentives available. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: HIV-positive employees that receive treatment for HIV/AIDS by having their employers pay for the treatment are being taxed on their lifesaving HIV benefits paid by their employer. This comes after the Commissioner of Inland Revenue (CIR) or South African Revenue Service (SARS) identified the provision of treatment by employers as a “fringe benefit” in terms of paragraphs 2(e), 2(h) and 2(i) of the Seventh Schedule to the Income Tax Act1 and as such is taxable if the treatment is given from the work place. The treatment contribution is included in an employee’s remuneration package as a fringe benefit. Pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) and other assessed taxes are calculated from that. The taxable benefit is included on the employees’ annual IRP5 certificates. In order for the employer’s Human Resources department to affect this on the IRP 5 certificates the affected employee has to disclose his HIV/AIDS status and accordingly pay the PAYE on the fringe benefit. In terms of paragraph 2(e) of the Seventh Schedule to the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962, any service rendered at the expense of the employer to the employee, whether by the employer or by some other person, which has been utilised by the employee for private or domestic use, such value of the service must be included in the employee’s consideration for remuneration. Paragraph 2(h)2 taxes the employees on debts paid by the employer on behalf of the employees and paragraph 2(i)3 taxes a one third contribution benefit back in the hand of an employee for contributions to medical aids. If the employee were to receive chronic medication from a medical aid for HIV/AIDS treatment this will be included in the fringe benefit tax as a medical contribution.The Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 19984 promotes the elimination of unfair discrimination in the work place and ensures the implementation of Employment Equity to redress the effects of discrimination. Above all it also promotes the constitutional right to equality. In terms of confidentiality of the employees HIV/AIDS status; the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 (Income Tax Act)5 as interpreted seems to be in conflict with the Employment Equity Act No. 55 of 1998. A solution therefore has to be sought where: - The anonymity of an employee in terms of his/her HIV/AIDS status is protected as envisaged by the Employment Equity Act6. - It is also necessary to understand whether there is in fact conflict between the Income Tax Act7 and the Employment Equity Act8. - It is also necessary to establish whether there are any misconceptions in the interpretation of the legislation and - Try to find the best possible solution to minimise the impact of Income Tax and yet protect the confidentiality of the employees concerned. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: MIV-positiewe werknemers wat behandeling vir MIV/VIGS ontvang by hul werkgewers word belas op hul lewensreddende MIV voordele wat deur hul werkgewers betaal word. Hierdie word bepaal nadat die Kommisaris van Binnelandse Inkomste (KBI) of die Suid- Afrikaanse Belastingsdiens (SAB) die voorsiening van behandeling deur werkgewers ag as ‘n belastingbyvoordeel in terme van paragrawe 2(e), 2(h) en 2(i) van die Sewende Skedule van die Inkomste belastingwet9 indien die diens gelewer word buite die werksplek. Die bydrae tot behandeling word ingesluit in die werknemer se vergoedingspakket as ‘n belasbare byvoordeel. Werknemersbelasting of LBS en ander aangeslaande belastings word hiervandaan bereken. Die byvoordeel word op die werknemer se IRP5 sertifikaat aangedui. Om hierdie aan te dui op die IRP5 sertifikaat van die geaffekteerde werknemer moet die werknemer se MIV status aan die werkgewer se Menslike Hulpbron departement bekend wees om die nodige byvoordeel te bereken. In terme van paragraaf 2(e)10 van die Sewende Skedule van die Inkomste Belastingwet nr. 58 van 1962, word enige diens gelewer deur die werkgewer namens die werknemer, of deur die werkgewer of deur sekere ander persone, wat gebruik word deur die werknemer vir privaat en huishoudelike gebruik geag as vergoeding te wees en die diens moet ingesluit wees in die vergoedingspakket. Paragraaf 2(h)11 belas die werknemers op skuld betaal namens die werknemer deur die werkgewer en paragraaf 2(i)12 belas een derde van die bydrae terug in die hand van die werknemer vir bydraes betaal deur die werkgewer aan mediese fondse. Indien die werknemer kroniese medikasie ontvang van die mediese fonds vir MIV/VIGS behandeling sal dié belas word as ‘n belasbare byvoordeel. Die Gelyke Indiensnemingwet nr 55 van 199813 bevorder die eliminasie van ongeregmatige diskriminasie in die werksplek en verseker dat die implementasie van die wetgewing die impak van diskrimasie reg aanspreek. Die wetgewing bevorder die konstitisionele reg tot gelykheid. In terme van die vertroulikheid van die MIV/VIGS status van werknemers bleik die Inkomstebelastingwet in konflik te wees met die Gelyke Indiensnemingswetgewing. ‘n Oplossing moet dus gevind word, waar: - Die anonimiteit van die werknemers in terme van hul MIV/VIGS status beskerm word soos veronderstel word in die Indiensnemingsekwiteitswetgewing - Dit is ook nodig om te verstaan of daar inderdaad konflik is tussen die onderskeie wetgewings, naamlik die Inkomstebelastingwet en die Indiensnemingsekwiteitswetgewing. - Dit is ook belangrik om te bepaal of daar enige miskonspesies in die interpretasie van die wetgewing is en - Om te probeer om die bes moontlike oplossing te vind om die impak van Inkomstebelasting te verminder en terselfdertyd die konfidensialiteit van die werknemers te verseker.

M.Com. (South African and International Taxation) / Tax policy is important on many levels. It directly affects all members of society. The gender impact of these polices is often overlooked. The study was motivated by the potential existence of unintended gender discrimination within various indirect taxes. Tax policy has real repercussions on household budgeting and spending. The impact is likely to differ between the genders and this should be taken into account when setting tax policy in order to maintain fairness. Value Added Tax and the national lottery are all regressive taxes and affect the poor more than the wealthy. In light of the feminisation of poverty, as well as different household responsibilities and spending patterns between men and women, the gendered effect of this regressive tax is significant. This study considers whether South Africa’s indirect tax legislation and policies result in gender discrimination and what the potential solutions are. A largely qualitative approach was undertaken in executing the research. This entailed detailed reading on the topic to support any inferences and conclusions. This study finds that indirect gender discrimination exists in South Africa’s indirect taxation system and policy. The discrimination arises mostly due to the regressive nature of indirect taxes. These taxes have far larger ramifications for the poor. Women make up most of the poorest people both in South Africa and around the world. Men and women also spend differently and their spending and decision making directly affects household disposable income. The result of these gendered spending patterns could be said to put woman at a disadvantage in certain cases. The introduction of additional zero-ratings on children’s clothing and personal hygiene products could go far in addressing discrimination without a huge impact to the fiscus.

M.Com. (Business Management) / This study examines the system of value-added tax as replacement for the retail sales tax which is currently in operation in South Africa. It furthermore sets out to provide an insight into the potential local application thereof. The following aspects were discussed: (a) The current state of indirect taxation in South Africa under the retail sales tax regime. (b) The origin and development of the value-added tax system worldwide. (c) The replacement of indirect taxes through a system of tax on value added. (d) The development of value-added tax subsequent to the initial recommendation by the Margo commission. (e) A number of problem areas specifically relating to the structure of the proposed tax, e.g. foodstuffs, farming activities and capital goods. (f) The establishment of a clearing mechanism for the BLS and TBCV countries in a Southern African Customs Union. (g) General administrative provisions under a value-added tax and a proposed audit under the system. The discussion indicates that the retail sales tax is not conforming to initial objectives (at least in theory) and the government is of the opinion that value-added tax will rectify this situation...

This treatise analyses the suitability of the Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) for the South African Transfer Pricing legislation. The transfer pricing legislation places emphasis on the arm's length principle. Determining an arm's length price is problematic and as a result some countries have resorted to APA's to establish an arm's length price up-front, and thus avoid reviews and subsequent audits. The treatise first focuses on the transfer pricing provisions and other relevant applicable sections of the Act from the South African point of view, and it then examines the current status quo, i.e. the review processes used by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) as detailed in the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) Guidelines and the SARS Practice Note. Since negotiated tax treaties form part of the South Africa law, the impact of these treaties are discussed in Chapter 4. The treatise discusses in detail an APA from the OECD's point of view. It examines the objectives of an APA; the benefit and the shortcomings of using an APA. It then examines the APA request processes from a Canadian perspective and the administration of the APA from an USA perspective. The treatise examines South African trading partners using APA in transfer pricing matters, with reference to the effects and the challenges such countries face. The treatise concludes by looking at the benefits provided by use of an APA by South African major trading partners. The effect and the use of such APA will have in South Africa is also discussed and how it should be modelled; the present status quo with regard to personnel at SARS; and the possible impact the introduction and implementation will have in South Africa.

M.Com. (Accounting) / This study examines the disclosure of taxation in company financial statements. The following aspects were discussed: (a) The taxation expense in the income statement comprises of a current tax charge and deferred tax provision. (b) The extent of the recognition of the tax effects of timing differences in company financial statements. (c) The alternative measurement methods which can be applied to either partial or full allocation. (d) The effect of tax allocation on company financial statements 1n the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America. (e) Discounting of the deferred tax credit. (f) The development of generally accepted accounting practice ln South Africa relating to tax allocation. The discussion indicates that the South African statement with regard to the disclosure of taxation, promotes the usefulness of published financial information even though it is not free of criticism. A number of recommendations are made by which the problems currently being encountered with the South African statement on the disclosure of taxation in company financial statements, can be addressed.

No description available.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The use of derivative instruments, including single-stock futures, experienced unprecedented growth over the last twenty years. South Africa, like the rest of the world, is still experiencing extraordinary growth in the trading of these instruments. The taxation of these transactions, therefore, are of increasing practical importance. Despite this unprecedented growth, the South African tax policy makers have neglected the tax treatment of these instruments to a large extent. Due to the lack of specific legislative provisions regulating the tax aspects of these instruments, the general principles of the South African income tax law have to be applied. This gives rise to conflicting opinions regarding the tax treatment of these instruments, primarily as a result of the fact that these principles were developed long before the widespread use of derivative instruments. The lack of relevant case law in this regard is also problematic. This results in great uncertainty surrounding the tax treatment of profits from single stock futures. This research paper applies the general principles of the South African income tax law in order to determine when these profits accrue to the taxpayer and to determine the nature thereof. The introduction of capital gains tax has added yet a further dimension to the taxation of these instruments and is also considered. This research paper also considers the income tax treatment of similar instruments in Australia in order to identify useful principles that may be applied within a South African context. In light of the increasing volume and value of derivative transactions, it is imperative that clarity regarding the taxation of these transactions be obtained as soon as possible. Any reform and revised tax rules need to provide certainty to the taxpayer while remaining flexible enough to ensure that future changes in the ever-changing financial instruments environment are accommodated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die gebruik van afgeleide instrumente, waaronder enkel-aandeeltermynkontrakte, het die afgelope twintig jaar ongekende groei beleef. Suid-Afrika, net soos die res van die wêreld, beleef steeds buitengewone groei in die verhandeling van hierdie instrumente. Die belasbaarheid van hierdie transaksies is gevolglik van toenemende praktiese belang. Ten spyte van hierdie ongekende groei, het die belastingbeleidmakers in Suid-Afrika tot ’n groot mate die belastinghantering van hierdie instrumente verwaarloos. Vanweë die gebrek aan spesifieke wetlike bepalings wat die belastingaspekte van laasgenoemde reguleer, moet die algemene beginsels van die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelastingreg op hierdie instrumente toegepas word. Dié beginsels is egter reeds lank voor die wydverspreide gebruik van afgeleide instrumente ontwikkel en lei tot teenstrydige menings rondom die belastinghantering van hierdie instrumente. Die gebrek aan toepaslike regspraak in hierdie verband is ook problematies. Daar heers gevolglik groot onsekerheid oor die inkomstebelastinghantering van winste verdien uit enkel-aandeeltermynkontrakte. Hierdie navorsingswerkstuk pas die algemene beginsels van die Suid-Afrikaanse inkomstebelastingreg toe ten einde die tydstip waarop dié winste aan die belastingpligtige toeval en die aard daarvan te bepaal. Die inwerkingtreding van kapitaalwinsbelasting het nog 'n verdere aspek aan die belasbaarheid van hierdie instrumente toegevoeg en word ook oorweeg. Die navorsingswerkstuk oorweeg ook die inkomstebelastinghantering van soortgelyke instrumente in Australië ten einde nuttige beginsels te identifiseer wat binne Suid-Afrikaanse konteks toegepas kan word. Indien ag geslaan word op die toename in die aantal en waarde van transaksies in afgeleide instrumente, is dit noodsaaklik dat duidelikheid rakende die belasbaarheid daarvan so spoedig doenlik verkry word. Enige hervorming en hersiende belastingreëls moet sekerheid aan die belastingpligtige verskaf, maar moet terselfdetyd buigsaam genoeg wees om ruimte te skep vir toekomstige veranderinge binne die snelgroeiende finansiële instrumente-omgewing.

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.

Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the recent credit crisis in 2008, innovative lending products have emerged to address the need for enterprises to maintain and improve their cash flows. One such product is the merchant cash advance (MCA). This form of finance is related to debt factoring and is essentially the business equivalent of a payday loan. In its most common form, a lump sum payment is made to a business in exchange for an agreed upon percentage of future credit and/or debit card receivables. A percentage of the merchant’s daily credit or debit card receivables is retained, either directly from the processor that clears and settles the credit or debit card payment or via a debit order from the merchant’s bank account, until the obligation has been met. The future receivables are purchased at a discount and a processing fee is also charged. Many merchant cash advance service providers (MCASP) structure their business in such a way that it resembles traditional debt factoring. In this manner, MCASPs endeavour to distinguish their product offering from traditional loans, in an effort to elude legislation that would affect loans, for example the limiting of interest rates charged. There is however currently a lack of definitive guidance on the taxation consequences from the perspective of the merchant utilising the product and the MCASP providing it. The purpose of this research is to investigate the taxation consequences of MCA transactions in South Africa in an attempt to provide such guidance. The key issue for consideration affecting the taxation consequences of MCAs is the classification of these transactions as either a form of debt factoring or as loans. The research considers and suggests the appropriate classification of these transactions. The taxation treatment is then considered based on this classification from the perspective the merchant utilising the product and the MCASP providing the product. Taxation issues investigated, include the income tax treatment of the discounting cost as “interest”, the availability of deductions allowed by the Income Tax Act and the Value-Added Tax consequences. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die onlangse kredietkrisis in 2008 het innoverende leningsprodukte na vore gekom om te voorsien in die vraag van ondernemings om hul kontantvloei te handhaaf en verbeter. Een van hierdie produkte is die handelaarskontantvoorskot (HKV). Hierdie vorm van finansiering is verwant aan skuldfaktorering en is basies die besigheidsekwivalent van ‘n betaaldaglening. In die mees algemene vorm, word ‘n enkelbdragbetaling aan ‘n besigheid gemaak in ruil vir ‘n voorafbepaalde persentasie van die toekomstige krediet- en/of debietkaartdebiteure. ’n Persentasie van die handelaar se daagliske krediet- of debietkaart debiteure word teruggehou totdat die skuld afgelos is. Invordering vind plaas direk vanaf die verwerker wat die krediet- of debietkaartbetaling goedkeur en betaal, of deur middel van ‘n debietorder direk vanaf die handelaar se bankrekening. Die toekomstige debiteure word teen ‘n diskonto aangekoop en ‘n verwerkingsfooi kan ook gehef word. Baie handelaarskontantvoorskot-diensverskaffers (HKVD) struktureer hul besighede op so ‘n wyse dat dit soos tradisionele skuldfaktorering voorkom. Op hierdie manier beoog HKVD’s om hul produk van tradisionele lenings te onderskei, met die doel om wetgewing vry te spring wat lenings sou beïnvloed, byvoorbeeld beperkings op rentekoerse gehef. Daar is egter tans ‘n tekort aan beslissende leiding, wat die belastinggevolge betref, uit die perspektief van die handelaar wat die produk benut en die HKVD wat dit verskaf. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om te ondersoek wat die belastinggevolge van HKV’e in Suid-Afrika is in ‘n poging om hierdie leiding te verskaf. Die kernaangeleentheid vir oorweging wat die belastinghantering affekteer, is die klassifisering van HKV-transaksies as ‘n vorm van skuldfaktorering of as lenings. Hierdie navorsing skenk oorweging aan hierdie transaksies en stel ‘n toepaslike klassifikasie voor. Die belastinghantering word dan oorweeg, gebaseer op hierdie klassifikasie uit die perskeptief van die handelaar wat die produk benut en die HKVD wat die produk verskaf. Belastingaangeleenthede wat ondersoek word, sluit die inkomstebelastinghantering van die diskonto gehef as “rente” in, die beskikbaarheid van aftrekkings toegelaat kragtens die Inkomstebelastingwet en die gevolge vir Belasting op Toegevoegde Waarde.