Prior to 10 January 2012, where a vendor acquired fixed property from a non-vendor (which is regarded as second-hand goods in terms of the Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991 (VAT Act)) for the purpose of making taxable supplies, its entitlement to a notional input tax deduction was limited to the transfer duty actually paid in the acquisition of this fixed property. With effect from 10 January 2012, the VAT Act was amended, and this limitation was removed. Since that date, the notional input tax deduction has been treated largely the same as the notional input tax deduction available for second-hand goods. Vendors are therefore now entitled to a notional input tax deduction equal to the tax fraction (15/115) of the lesser of the consideration in money paid by the vendor for the supply of the fixed property purchased, or its open market value.

Although the position regarding a vendor’s entitlement to a notional input tax deduction in respect of fixed property acquired from a non-vendor seemed to have been clarified by the amendment to the VAT Act, a second question then arose regarding whether the transfer duty costs associated with the purchase of fixed property from a non-vendor, forms part of the “consideration” paid by the vendor for the fixed property for purposes of calculating the notional input tax deduction. To the extent that a vendor is able to include the transfer duty costs, this would result in a higher notional input tax deduction.

It has been the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) practice to exclude the transfer duty incurred by a purchasing vendor from the amount of “consideration” when calculating the notional input tax credit. SARS’ view was generally widely accepted and applied until it was challenged by a taxpayer in the Cape Town Tax Court. In Case No. VAT 1857, the Tax Court was tasked with determining whether the amount of consideration for purposes of calculating the notional input tax deduction should include the amount of transfer duty paid in respect of the fixed property purchased. The judgment was handed down on 25 February 2020.

In deciding the matter, the Tax Court considered the definition of “input tax” and the definition of “consideration” as contained in section 1 of the VAT Act. In applying the principles of interpretation, the Tax Court applied the plain meaning of the words and held that the broad definition of “consideration” in section 1 of the VAT Act, which includes any payment made in respect of the properties, is unambiguous and held that the clear language used includes transfer duty paid.

The Tax Court accordingly found in favour of the taxpayer and concluded that transfer duty must be included in the “consideration” paid for fixed property and stated that its conclusion was based on the clear language of the legislation, and that the conclusion was sensible and not unbusiness-like. Furthermore, it held that this conclusion was supported by the purpose of the notional input tax deduction allowed in respect of second-hand goods; the purpose being that it was introduced to eliminate double VAT charges on the same value-added by allowing notional input relief in the absence of actual inputs.  

The Tax Court judgment was contrary to SARS’ practice and due to this significance, it came as no surprise when SARS filed for leave to appeal, which was granted. Notwithstanding the significance of the Tax Court judgment on the principles of VAT, the taxpayer withdrew from the appeal. A notice of withdrawal of opposition and abandonment of judgment in favour of SARS was therefore issued by the High Court under section 141 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 (TAA).

It follows that although the Tax Court judgment was seemingly a win for taxpayers, the effect of the taxpayer’s withdrawal of opposition of the appeal and abandonment of the judgment, is that the judgment is no longer binding against SARS as it relates to that particular taxpayer. Furthermore, it should be noted that while the judgment itself does not fall away, SARS recently issued Binding General Ruling (VAT) 57 (BGR 57) in which it restates and affirms its view, which is contrary to the judgment handed down by the Tax Court, making it clear that there is no doubt that SARS will challenge any reliance on the Tax Court judgment by other taxpayers going forward.

Binding General Ruling 57

On 20 October 2021, SARS issued BGR 57 in which it clarifies whether the term “consideration” includes an amount of transfer duty paid or payable on the acquisition of second-hand fixed property for the purposes of calculating a notional input tax deduction available to vendors who acquire fixed property from non-vendors for taxable purposes.

Notwithstanding the findings of the Tax Court in VAT1857, and in line with its past practice, SARS has ruled that the term “consideration” does not include any transfer duty imposed under the Transfer Duty Act. As a result, the amount of transfer duty paid by a vendor to acquire second-hand fixed property for taxable purposes cannot be included in the calculation of any notional input tax deduction which may be available to that vendor under the VAT Act.

SARS’ ruling is issued on the basis that the transfer duty paid is not an amount in respect of any “consideration” in money paid for the supply of the property. SARS refers to its Interpretation Note 70 which states that “consideration” refers to the purchase price that must be paid to the supplier of goods or services by the recipient.

SARS stated that under the provisions of the VAT Act, the payment in money is recognised to the extent that it has the effect of reducing or discharging any obligation relating to the purchase price for the supply during the tax period concerned. It states that transfer duty is a tax levied under the Transfer Duty Act on the “value” of the fixed property and is payable by the purchaser to SARS. It is not an amount paid to the seller. Transfer duty therefore does not form part of the purchase price of the property and the payment thereof cannot be regarded as an amount paid which reduces or discharges any obligation of the recipient relating to the purchase price of the property. 

Comments

The position taken by SARS in BGR 57 is in line with its previous practice and its arguments put forth in the Tax Court case, in terms of which it viewed the purchase price paid in respect of the sale of immovable property, to be the only “consideration” that may be used for the purpose of calculating the notional tax credit, and that the transfer duty paid must not be included for such purposes. On the basis that SARS has now confirmed its view as to whether the term “consideration” includes an amount of transfer duty for purposes of calculating the notional input tax deduction, vendors who applied the Tax Court judgment and calculated the notional input tax deduction based on the inclusion of the amount of transfer duty paid, should be aware of the potential risk that SARS may now seek to deny part of the deduction already claimed, as well as to raise penalties and interest in respect of any undeclaration flowing from it.

A binding general ruling such as BGR 57 is issued under section 89 of the TAA. It is initiated by SARS and represents the general view of SARS on matters of general interest or importance and clarifies the SARS’ application or interpretation of the tax law relating to these matters. A BGR is generally binding on SARS, but not on taxpayers, however, in terms of section 82(3) of the TAA, it may be cited in proceedings before SARS or the courts by either SARS or a taxpayer.

Notwithstanding that BGR 57 is not binding on taxpayers, it seems that vendors will be required to apply this position until, and if, SARS’ view as set out in BGR 57 is ever challenged, and then only if it is found to be incorrect by our courts.