Increase in the National Minimum Wage and the knock on effect on the Agricultural Sector

Rising rates, rising resilience: Navigating the VAT rate increase

With another value-added tax (VAT) rate increase on the horizon, businesses are once again required to navigate both the legal complexities and the operational challenges that come with the change. In his Budget Speech on 12 March 2025, the Minister of Finance (Minister) announced a phased increase in the standard rate of VAT from 15% to 15,5%, set to take effect on 1 May 2025, and thereafter from 15,5% to 16%, effective from 1 April 2026. The upcoming increases build on the 2018 amendment that raised VAT from 14% to 15%.

Taxpayers beware: SARS expects full compliance when objecting to assessments

Nicholas Carroll, Associate in the Tax & Exchange Control practice, recently joined Bridget Masinga on SAfm to discuss 'Taxpayers beware: SARS expects full compliance when objecting to assessments.'

Samantha Kelly discussed balancing her career and her role as a mom

Samantha Kelly, Counsel in the Real Estate Law practice was featured in the DealMakers Women 2024 Issue where she discussed balancing her career and her role as amom. 

Should Kenya adopt statutory adjudication for construction disputes?

Africa’s growing infrastructure is a critical and transformative development that has the potential to drive the continent’s economic and social progress, with significant investments in key sectors such as transportation, energy, housing, water supply and telecommunications driving this growth. The construction industry is therefore crucial to Africa’s economic and infrastructural development. However, some of the biggest challenges Africa’s construction industry faces are project overruns and contractor distress caused by inefficient management of construction disputes, particularly those related to cash flow andpayments. 

Now that the shock has settled, some thoughts on the ‘rumoured’ 2% VAT hike

There has been a lot of commotion over the past week pursuant to the postponement of the Budget until 12 March 2025. The postponement will likely have significant legal and fiscal implications, some of which we may not yet fully appreciate, given the unprecedented nature of this event. But commotions aside, what would an increase of value-added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17% mean for South Africa, its budget strategy and the ordinary person on the street? We consider this question and also briefly consider whether there are any viable alternatives to raising the VAT rate.

Webinar recording | Retrenchment law turned on its head