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.

Update on Phase 1 of the RDR Proposals

A comprehensive update on the Retail Distribution Review will be published in the next two weeks. A glimpse into what this will entail was presented at the FSB Insurance Regulatory Seminar in Cape […]

Uneasy lies the Head…

Is it fair to expect Heyneke Meyer to fall on his own sword after the Springboks won the Bronze medal at RWC 2015, or should that decision be made for him by the […]

Taxation Laws Amendment Bill

The announcement of changes in the tax treatment of provident funds led to a flurry of resignations and withdrawals from members of such funds who feared that their ability to withdraw all their […]

RE in Afrikaans afgeskaf

Die FSB het aangekondig dat die Afrikaanse regulatoriese eksamens nie na 30 November 2015 beskikbaar sal wees nie. Volledige besoderhede is vervat in Fais Circular 5/2015. Slegs Moonstone bied die eksamen aan. Om te registreer, besoek asseblief […]

Beware of using third parties

It is fairly common practice in certain sections of the industry to make use of third parties to obtain new business. A recent order made by the Enforcement Committee serves to remind those […]

Financial Sector Regulation Bill Tabled

The Minister of Finance tabled the Financial Sector Regulation (FSR) Bill in Parliament on 27 October 2015, after taking into account comments received on the Bill published in December 2014. The Twin Peaks system of regulation […]

Hakuna Matata

The Italian word “Andante” features in one of ABBA’s classic songs. Dictionaries define it as “a moderately slow” movement, usually in music. Closer to home, there is also a Swahili term, Pole-pole, which […]

Who can it be now?

The title of Men at Work’s song sums up the uncertainty in the minds of rugby lovers as we contemplate the outcome of the final two games of RWC 2015. Argentina/South Africa This […]

Beneficiaries on Life Policies

This article is made available with the kind permission of Van der Spuy and Partners. Jeremy is recently divorced and has just started dating again. This got him thinking about his future and […]

Just do it

Candidates who are required to write the Level 1 before the end of June next year should not leave it till the very last moment. Not all those who write pass at the first […]

Costly FICA Transgression

The latest Enforcement Committee order, against a stockbroking firm, should act as a warning to all financial services providers to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act […]

Contradictory Interpretations

The latest issue of the Short-term “Ombudsman’s Briefcase” contains an interesting case which highlights again the difficulty of complying with varying interpretations by overseeing bodies. We recently commented on two FAIS Ombud determinations […]

Amended RE Terms and Conditions

The FSB just released a document containing amended terms and conditions applicable to the Regulatory Exams. It clarifies several issues with which candidates experienced problems in the past and is applicable with immediate […]

Compliance Considerations

Are you, as an experienced financial services provider, equally well equipped to manage the challenges confronting your business? The constant raft of regulatory changes necessitates a professional research and development function in even […]

Can this Springbok squad pull off another 1995?

Many people regard the 2015 RWC as the finest tournament ever, a sentiment I fully endorse. Thus far, 257 tries were scored, versus 201 penalties, which explain the positive sentiment. A total of […]

Is an employee settlement agreement bulletproof?

This article is made available with the kind permission of Miller’s Incorporated. “My business recently had to pursue disciplinary action against an employee. This was a difficult decision and process but we eventually […]