News
Stay informed with the latest news and insights from Foreign Buyer Property Solutions
D-Day for Trust with Outstanding Tax Returns: Penalties Now Binding by Law
Time has run out for non-compliant trusts: from 4 May 2026, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will impose administrative penalties on trusts with outstanding tax returns, levied monthly and potentially amounting to R16,000 per outstanding return.
South Africa’s Immigration Reset Now Official: What the Approved White Paper Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Cabinet has approved the Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection (CIRP), marking one of the most complex and consequential governance undertakings of the democratic era.
Do Not Let a Dormant SARS Tax Number Derail Your Life Abroad
Dormant or inactive tax numbers, often the result of prolonged non-compliance or outdated personal details, can send unsuspecting taxpayers down a dead-end street very quickly.
National Treasury’s 2026 Tax Amendment Acts: Relief in Some Areas, Refinement in Others
National Treasury’s long-awaited 2026 tax amendment Acts were promulgated, which introduce a focused set of changes to South Africa’s Valued Added Tax (“VAT”) and Income Tax frameworks. These new amendments have immediate practical consequences for taxpayers, employers, and investors.
SARS Holds Crypto-Traders to Account per the “International Tax Standard”
The draft Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and revised Common Reporting Standard (CRS) regulations, proposed to be effective 01 March 2026, increases the regulatory and reporting burden on crypto service providers and taxpayers in South Africa! This strengthening of tax treatment leverages the automatic exchange of information, with other competent revenue authorities, to uncover global crypto assets and activities.
Home Affairs Grants Generous Extension to Protect Visa Holders with Pending Applications
Foreign nationals in South Africa who have faced uncertainty while awaiting the outcome of their long-pending visa, waiver, and appeal applications have been granted welcome and unexpected relief by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), allowing them to remain in the country under the concession for a further 15 months.
Foreign Buyers of South African Property Documentation Is Not Optional, It Is Protection
Beyond the excitement of purchasing a dream home in South Africa, foreign buyers are entering into a long-term regulatory relationship — and in that relationship, your documentation is everything.
Fixes South Africa Needs to Compete Globally for Investment and Skills
South Africa remains in competition with other emerging markets to attract global finance and investments, and the scarce skills that come with it to boost its economy. To become globally competitive, the country must solve its core issues around electricity supply and network industry challenges that hinder growth. This was the key message delivered by Deputy Minister of Finance Ashor Sarupen at the 5th Global Mobility Conference hosted by Xpatweb in Johannesburg on 13 August 2025.
Do South African Expats Return Home for the Braais?
The fact that several countries abroad do not let you have a braai whenever and wherever you want, is not on its own the reason why South African expats return home after many years abroad. But when added to factors like cultural differences, the lack of traditional support structures, and the high cost of living overseas, it might just be the final straw.
Let Their Partners Work: South Africa Should Act Now to Stay Competitive in the Global Skills Race
South Africa risks shutting the door to sought-after global professionals by not allowing direct employment access to their accompanying partners or spouses.
More Americans Are Choosing to Call South Africa Home —Here’s Why
As of the 2022 Census, South Africa is home to over 2.4 million foreign-born residents, among them around 7,400 individuals originally from the United States. While Americans make up a small share of the expatriate population, signs indicate a growing interest in making South Africa a long-term home.
Budget 2026: What it Means for Foreign Property Owners in South Africa
Foreign nationals owning property in South Africa, or who are considering buying or selling local real estate, should take note of several key announcements in the 2026 National Budget that will directly affect their tax obligations.
Home Affairs Becomes Smarter by the Day – Making More South Africans ‘Smart’ in the Process
Role players in the immigration industry have welcomed the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) Smart ID rollout for naturalised citizens and permanent residents who, up to now, had to rely on the outdated green bar-coded ID books - leaving them vulnerable to the risk of fraud.
Living the Good Life: Fine Dining, Art, and Culture for the Elite Retiree in South Africa
Retirement is not just about slowing down—it is about indulging in the finer things in life. For the high-net-worth globetrotters seeking a destination that offers all that and more in their golden years, South Africa presents an unrivalled opportunity for this next chapter in your life.
Another Positive Move To Attract More Tourists To SA
South Africa’s imminent implementation of an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system, as announced in the State of the Nation Address (SONA), will allow a full digital visa application process, ensuring a quick and effective turnaround time for travellers coming for short-term visits. This will help boost tourism numbers which have not yet recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels.
New Banking and Tax Rules Impact Receiving and Remittance of Rental Income for Foreign Property Owners in South Africa
Foreign nationals who own fixed property in South Africa and derive rental income from it, are increasingly facing new compliance hurdles when accessing or transferring those funds. Recent feedback from multiple South African banks indicates the tightening of access to non-resident bank accounts where additional tax compliance requirements are not met, which could leave foreign property owners temporarily out of pocket.
What SARB’s Rule Changes Mean for Your Offshore Transfers
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has adjusted the operation of the Single Discretionary Allowance (SDA) regime for South Africans transferring funds abroad, now allowing greater flexibility for bona fide current transfers above the R1 million annual threshold.
Immigration Reform or Tax Overreach by Stealth?
Why Home Affairs’ latest proposal should alarm investors, foreign nationals and National Treasury alike
SARS Gatekeeper Role Delays Offshore Directors’ Fees
Non-Executive Directors who are non-resident for South African tax purposes are increasingly experiencing delays and uncertainty when seeking to remit directors’ fees offshore. This follows recent regulatory amendments published by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), which formally position the South African Revenue Service (SARS) as the primary compliance gatekeeper for the externalisation of income.
Navigating the Maze: Hurdles Foreign Individuals Face in Securing a South African Tax Number
Securing a South African tax number is often the first hurdle for foreign nationals and returning expats, but digital shifts at SARS have made it a complex maze. From rejected foreign contact details to accidental duplicate registrations, we unpack the common pitfalls and how to navigate them successfully.
How SARB’s New Rules Affect the Transfer of South African-sourced Income Abroad
The South African Reserve Bank has introduced Exchange Control Circular No. 15/2025, fundamentally changing how non-residents transfer SA-sourced income abroad. The new framework aims to close compliance gaps by requiring strict SARS verification before any funds—such as rental income, trust distributions, or pension payments—are processed by Authorised Dealers.
SARS and SARB Decide Whether Your Funds Can Leave South Africa: AIT Now Required to Externalise Dividends
South Africans abroad are waking up to a new reality: dividends and offshore transfers are now blocked unless strict SARS and SARB requirements are met. From the mandatory AIT PIN to endorsed share certificates, we explain why the "honour system" is over and how to ensure your funds don't get trapped in SA.
How You Talk with SARS is Important: Why a Tax Practitioner with Its Own SARS ISV Link Matters
In South Africa's increasingly digitised tax environment, the way information reaches the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is no longer a technical footnote - it is a strategic differentiator.
A Foreign Buyer’s Guide to Securing a Mortgage in South Africa: Understanding the 50% Borrowing Rule and When a Foreigner Can Borrow More
While South Africa welcomes international property buyers, securing a mortgage is controlled by strict Exchange Control Regulations rather than standard bank policy. The primary constraint is the "50% Borrowing Rule," which mandates a 1:1 ratio: for every Rand borrowed, a non-resident must invest an equivalent amount of their own capital, effectively capping loans at 50% of the purchase price.
Foreign Buyers Beware: Do Not Miss the Hidden Visa, Tax and Forex Risks When Purchasing Property in Sunny South Africa
Every year, international visitors and holiday makers arriving in South Africa, especially those flocking to Cape Town over the festive summer season, are captivated by the country’s natural beauty and enviable lifestyle.