In 2018 the Department of Trade and Industry published a Companies Amendment Bill for public comment. There are a number of proposed amendments that affect small and medium enterprises (SME’s) and we will briefly outline a few of the potential implications below:
This year taxpayers who meet ALL the following criteria need NOT submit a tax return:
There is one truth about change: It’s going to happen. Technology, consumer demand, globalization, competition, and the economy—all of these factors contribute to the need for every business to move with the times in order to survive. Companies that want to grow, have to change to remain viable and continue growing. That’s the very nature of growth—it brings about and demands change.
Recently released, the United Nations’ global assessment of environmental health is grim: biodiversity declining at an unprecedented rate, one million species at risk of extinction, human populations in jeopardy if the trajectory is not reversed.
With the imminent introduction of Carbon Tax, it is important to know how this will affect your business. While your business may not be directly affected by the tax, your suppliers may well have to pass on additional costs incurred as a result of it. So, let’s explore who and what will be subject to the tax.
A number of clients often have difficulty accessing SARS documents on the eFiling system. This is mainly due to incompatible browsers. The SARS eFiling website is optimally viewed in Internet Explorer (IE) versions 8+ browsers.
Tourism is often promoted as one of the key sectors that will drive growth in South Africa. We take a look at an extract from a Stats SA article to get an idea of what tourists spend their money on:
The UK’s impending departure from the European Union will bring change for businesses of every size and sector. The UK is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners. While some companies are already planning for the challenges and opportunities ahead, all firms – not just those directly and immediately affected – should be undertaking a Brexit 'health check', and a broader test of existing business plans.
Corporate governance is under scrutiny like never before in South Africa. While most people believe that it is only appointed directors of a company who can be held personally liable, the Companies Act provides for a wider definition and includes Prescribed Officers.
In his recent State of the Nation speech President Cyril Ramaphosa made mention of regenerating industrial hubs with an assortment of incentives, to incentivise investment in inter alia rural economies. We have a number of existing SEZ‘s and it is worth revisiting these to explore the
In his recent SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa described a scenario of building an all-inclusive economy and providing decent jobs for the unemployed youths. A lot of what he is proposing is aligned to the United Nations (UN) SDG’s. Below is an extract from the UN SDG’s 8 (there are 17 in total)
It seems that load shedding is back, resulting in decreased productivity and financial losses for business, especially small businesses.
Contrary to popular practice, a business plan is not a means to securing financing. Instead it is a step by step guide to running your business and creating the product or service that will make it in the marketplace. Like any other map, your plan will have to be adjusted according to your vision for the company, conditions and opportunities in the marketplace and your business’ current condition.
Good news to end 2018 as the South African economy grew by 2,2% quarter-on- in the third quarter of 2018, bringing to an end the country’s second recession since 1994. Higher contributions to growth in a number of industries – most notably in manufacturing, transport as well as finance and business services – were enough to lift economic growth back into positive territory.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development were adopted by 193 world leaders in September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly: “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” [known as Agenda 2030]. They officially came into force on the 1 January 2016. South Africa is one of the member states of the United Nations.
When you are contemplating going into business with someone, either in the form of a joint venture, partnership or as co-owners of a business, there is no way to guarantee that it will work. However, there are some things you can do to try and prevent any problems down the line.
Our previous article detailed the technical analysis of our current recession. We need to develop a strategic plan to assess the impact on our lives and businesses, and plan accordingly. Even if you don’t think the current recession will impact your business you still need to have a strategic plan.
The ease of doing business and particularly reducing the regulatory burden for businesses received a boost with the launch of Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC’s) Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), a Digital Financial Reporting Solution at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in Sandton. The system will allow companies to file Annual Financial Statements using this mechanism and the data could be shared across the regulatory spectrum for multiple purposes. Speaking at the launch of the XBRL, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies said while there are many challenges with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it does offer the possibilities of improving governance.
Trusts have recently come under the spotlight from a SARS perspective. With the recent amendments, it is important for a trustee to fully understand their role and responsibilities. Although a trustee may not act in the capacity of trustee until he/she has received a letter of appointment from the Master, he/she is still liable for any unlawful act committed in the handling of trust affairs prior to the issue of the letters.
Private equity firms, family offices, private individuals, trusts and companies who have invested in start-ups or mature businesses during 2017 may have missed a huge opportunity if they have not considered investing through a Section 12J Venture Capital Company (“VCC”).
