SARS pays back R10bn, but some taxpayers’ refunds are being withheld

Taxpayers should inform SARS if they have been unemployed for a full year or longer, to avoid being flagged as non-compliant.

FSB’s Circular – RE Roundup

FSB Circular 10 of 2012, provided figures on the number of FSPs who did not attempt to write the exams before 30 June 2012. The total number of candidates who did not write […]

David does it Again

It was not difficult, finding a song for you to listen to as you read this article. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s It’s a long time coming (to the dawn) is certainly apt […]

Call Centre Clangers

Customer: ‘I’ve been ringing 0800 2100 0800 2100 for two days and can’t get through to enquiries, can you help?’ Operator: ‘Where did you get that number from, sir?’. Customer: ‘It was on […]

Sustainable income in retirement

By Pieter Koekemoer, Head of Personal Investments, Coronation One of the toughest financial planning tradeoffs, is ensuring that retirees’ post-retirement income is sustainable over the full period of retirement, without compromising more than […]

Personal Services Providers

We published an explanation from SAIA in Thursday’s Moonstone Monitor on this topic. This elicited more responses from readers. SARS published Interpretation Note: No. 35 (Issue 3), on 31 March 2010. It contains […]

Currie Cup Final 2012

Like last week’s Bledisloe Cup match between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, there can only be one winner, and again, the odds are on the side in black. Add to this their […]

Scottish Pragmatism

A priest, a doctor, a rich businessman and a Scotsman were waiting one morning for a particularly slow group of golfers in front of them. The Doctor shouted to them, “I’ve never seen […]

Human Capital Development Forum Established

A number of industry associations joined forces to form the Short Term Insurance Human Capital Development Steering Committee. The purpose is to oversee and drive the professional standards of the South African short-term […]

Binder Workshop Positive Feedback

We received many positive comments after the first of five workshops: I have been to a few Binder Regulation workshops and can honestly say that this has been the most insightful and best […]

Perennial Problem Pops up Again

It is that time of year again when you can expect a request from product providers to sign a Personal Services Company Affidavit. This request continues to irk advisors, yet there is nothing […]

FSB Circular 10 on REs

There will no doubt be some very clever calculations done, based on the statistics contained in this circular. It never ceases to amaze me how some people can spend hours dissecting these figures […]

How Ritchie McCaw let his team down.

Ritchie McCaw goes into the All Black changing room to find all his team mates looking a bit down. “What’s up guys?” he asks. “Well Ritchie, to be honest we’re having all sorts […]

We are Stardust

(I attached links to the songs mentioned in the article to help set the mood while you read) Woodstock was a “happening”, to use a buzz word of those times. In the words […]

Compliance Consultation Service

When one suspects a serious ailment, or is diagnosed with one, it is common practice to obtain a second opinion. The same approach should apply in the financial services industry. It is extremely […]

All Blacks Victory March Stopped

Hats off to the Aussies for a very gutsy performance against the All Blacks. Hopefully Higginbotham will have his bottom severely kicked for kneeing and head butting McCaw. Loved this snippet in the […]

Can the Wallabies do it?

Not one article on this subject gives the Aussies any chance of stopping the victorious All Blacks, on their relentless march to a new record winning streak. It is fearsome, that one side […]