A tax practitioner is someone who completes SARS returns on behalf of third parties for reward/a fee. Tax practitioners analyze, report and provide advice on taxation issues to organizations or individuals, prepare taxation returns and reports, and handle disputes with taxation authorities.
What do tax practitioners do?
Tax practitioners analyse, report and provide advice on taxation issues to organisations or individuals, prepare taxation returns and reports, and handle disputes with taxation authorities.
Who can be a tax practitioner in South Africa?
You can qualify if you obtained a three-year Bachelor degree with Tax as a major subject and at least Accounting 3, have three years of verifiable practical experience in a tax environment, and pass the CoTE Professional Tax Examination.
Who must register as tax practitioner?
To register as a tax practitioner, you must meet the following requirements: You must belong to or fall under the jurisdiction of a Recognized Controlling Body as referred to in s 240A of the Tax Administration Act. Have the minimum qualifications and experience set by your Recognized Controlling Body.
How to Become A Tax Practitioner In South Africa
Tax Practitioner Requirements In South Africa
Legislation Summary
The two key requirements for all SARS tax practitioners are:
- Tax practitioners must have at least an NQF Level 4 qualification; and
- Must be registered with an authorised controlling body, who will administer, regulate, and manage the conduct of SARS tax practitioners.
REQUIREMENT 1: Tax practitioners now required by law to hold minimum qualifications – and register them with SARS
It is a legal requirement that all tax practitioners have at least an NQF Level 4 qualification. ICB learners who have the FETC certificate: Bookkeeping NQF 4, the National Diploma: Technical Financial Accounting NQF 5, or the National Diploma: Financial Accounting NQF 6 qualifications are eligible.
If you are a tax practitioner registering with a NQF level 4 qualification, you must obtain a recognised NQF Level 5 qualification within three years.
REQUIREMENT 2: Registration with a controlling body
SARS has appointed several professional bodies to control the registration of tax practitioners. The ICB is partnering with the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) to facilitate the registering and administration of ICB Tax Practitioners.
ICBA members and graduates can apply for SARS tax practitioner status through SAIT, if
You have successfully completed our Senior Bookkeeper, Technical Financial Accountant or Financial Accountant qualifications; and
You are a registered, current and paid-up member of the ICB, with the designation of Certified Senior Bookkeeper, Certified Technical Financial Accountant or Certified Financial Accountant;
and you meet SAIT’s criteria (see main criteria below).
ALL existing SARS tax practitioners must comply
By law, ALL ICB members and graduates who wish to be tax practitioners must do the following:
Register as a member of the ICBA, and ensure that your membership is valid for the current year.
Apply to the ICBA’s membership department asking to be recognized as a SARS tax practitioner. Email us on enquiries@icba.org.za. The ICBA will supply you with a letter of recommendation that you must submit to SAIT.
Register with SAIT and comply with their registered tax practitioner requirements. These are specified by the Tax Administration Act, and will be communicated to each applicant on a case by case basis. Requirements include years of experience, qualification level, etc., and you will need to
a. Confirm that you have no criminal record. At this stage, this is simply a question you answer on the SAIT application form; no proof is required yet.
b. Provide SAIT with a tax clearance certificate. If you have a dispute with SARS, then you will need to provide an explanation as to why tax clearance will only be received after the dispute has been resolved.
c. Complete SAIT’s CPD Competency Assessment, if you obtained your ICB qualification before 2008. If you obtained your ICB qualification after 2008, you do not need to undergo any further assessment.
Approval is subject to your being an ICBA member of good standing, with your membership fees and SAIT fees both fully paid up. Remember, as a current ICBA member you will get a 50% discount on SAIT’s fees.
Once SAIT has approved your accreditation, they will provide you with an accreditation number. You must add this to your SARS e-Filing profile when you register as a tax practitioner with SARS, or when you update your details with them.
Approval of tax practitioner status by SAIT is subject to you meeting all the membership requirements of SAIT, and is at their sole discretion.
Are fees payable to the ICB?
There is no fee payable to the ICB for the granting of the Tax Practitioner Letter of recommendation, as long as you are a current paid up member of the ICBA. Each year going forward, you will be required to pay your normal ICBA membership fees. The current ICBA membership fee for qualified members is R620.00 for 2017.
Are fees payable to SAIT?
You will need to pay SAIT for registration as a tax practitioner. As long as your ICBA membership is up to date, we have negotiated a 50% discount with SAIT for you for their fee. You will need to produce the ICBA’s letter of recommendation in order to qualify. You will need to pay annual membership fees to retain your SAIT membership.
In summary
SAIT’s minimum requirements for membership is as follows –
An NQF level 4 qualification
5 years Tax based experience
If you meet the above requirements, you may complete an online application at the following link.
Please be aware of all fees and requirements per designation.
Below are responsibilities of A Tax Practitioner In South Africa
What do you do as a Tax Practitioner?
A tax practitioner is someone who completes SARS returns on behalf of third parties for reward/a fee.
A person who completes their own tax returns or the tax returns of their employer is not required to register as a tax practitioner.
A tax professional may work as a tax auditor for South African Revenue Service (SARS) or as a tax practitioner in private practice. Tax practitioners in private practice who render tax services for a fee have to register with SARS.
Tax practitioners analyze, report and provide advice on taxation issues to organizations or individuals, prepare taxation returns and reports, and handle disputes with taxation authorities.
Study path:
A minimum of a National Senior Certificate with Degree Entrance is required for entry into this occupation.
There are many pathways that one can follow to become a tax professional. All the pathways leading to the occupation Accountant in Practice will also enable you to work as a tax professional. Maths at Senior Certificate level is a requirement for these pathways.
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Practicing Attorneys may also register as tax practitioners. The learning pathways leading to the designations that are accepted by SARS for recognition as a tax practitioner are displayed under the relevant occupations.
In addition to these one can follow the learning pathways leading to the designations conferred by the South African Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT).
First you can obtain a Bachelor of Tax degree, gain three years’ of work experience and become a member of SAIT with the designation General Tax Practitioner (SA) (if you work in private practice) or General Tax Professional (SA) if you work in commerce and industry.
The second pathway starts with a Bachelor of Accounting degree (or any other relevant degree such as a law degree or a degree in management accounting), followed by a post graduate qualification in taxation.
After three years’ of work experience you can become a member of the Institute of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) with the designation Master Tax Practitioner (SA) if you work in private practice or Master Tax Professional (SA) if you work in Commerce and Industry.
Professional Bodies:
A requirement for registration as a tax practitioner is membership of one of the accounting professional bodies such as SAICA or SAIPA or membership of the South African Institure of Tax Practitioners (SAIT) or the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA).
As a Tax Practitioner you are only required to register with one of these bodies, not all, however it is mandatory to register as a practitioner with the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
How much do tax practitioners earn in South Africa?
How much do I stand to earn? At the time of this writing, the average pay for a Professional Tax Specialist (SA) is R473 271 per year, which translates to approximately R39 439 per month.
How much does it cost to register as a tax practitioner in South Africa?
The current ICBA membership fee for qualified members is R620. 00 for 2017.
What is a tax practitioner for SARS?
A natural person who: Provides advice to any other person about the application of a tax Act; or. Completes or assists with the completion of a return for another person.
Are tax practitioners in demand in South Africa?
You will also be in demand as South Africa is facing a shortage of tax practitioners, making this career path fit into the scarce skill category. As you know, scarce skills make for bigger earnings so it is a wise option if you want to help the country and be prosperous at the same time.
How much does a tax accountant earn in South Africa?
An early career Tax Accountant with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R388,451 based on 16 salaries. A mid-career Tax Accountant with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R408,848 based on 11 salaries.
What qualifications do I need to work at SARS?
To work at SARS you will need to meet the following minimum requirements:
A South African ID.
Be able to work the specified hours.
A minimum qualification of Grade 12 (or equivalent)
SARS reserves the right to conduct Employee Verification Checks, including but not limited to Criminal and Credit Checks.
How much does a tax manager earn in South Africa?
Tax Manager Salaries
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Deloitte Tax Manager salaries – 2 salaries reported | ZAR 715,491/yr |
| PwC Tax Manager salaries – 2 salaries reported | ZAR 885,175/yr |
| Nedbank Tax Manager salaries – 1 salaries reported | ZAR 783,935/yr |
| KPMG Tax Manager salaries – 1 salaries reported | ZAR 939,350/yr |
Can you go to jail for not paying taxes in South Africa?
Prior to the latest tax amendment legislation becoming final, a taxpayer could only be liable for a fine or subject to imprisonment if the relevant transgression was committed “wilfully and without just cause”. .