Caveat subscriptor” – old legal maxim meaning “Let the signer beware!’
A recent High Court decision once again highlights the dangers of signing anything without reading, understanding and fully considering it.
A “Renovator’s Dream” and a case of buyer’s remorse
“…imposing administrative non-compliance penalties is to ensure the widest possible compliance with the provisions of a Tax Act … they are imposed impartially, consistently and proportionately to the seriousness and duration of the non-compliance.” (SARS)
The Tax Administration Act stipulates that SARS can issue administrative penalties for outstanding tax returns.
In previous years, penalties were only imposed on taxpayers with more than one tax […]
Wealth buckets
Property is one of several asset classes, the others being equity (shares or unit trusts), cash-related products (like money market products), and bonds.
Here are some of the most important benefits of investing in property:
Two main categories of people are needed in your circle; those who give you the necessary support to accomplish your dreams and those who become beneficiaries of what you achieve.” (Unattributed)
Pension and provident funds and retirement annuities
All retirement funds are governed by the Pension Funds Act, which prioritises financial dependants when distributing death benefits. Nominated beneficiaries may not necessarily receive […]
“The most terrible poverty is loneliness.” (Mother Theresa)
Loneliness is a subject that researchers and even politicians have started to think about a lot more in recent years.
In 2017, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called loneliness a public health “epidemic”. The following year, the UK appointed a “minister for loneliness” to deal with what it saw as a growing problem.
“Loneliness […]
Death is not the end. There remains the litigation over the estate.” (Ambrose Bierce)
It may well be that in the future, we will be able to make a perfectly valid will (“Last Will and Testament”) by way of a video recording or other electronic means, but that day has not yet arrived.
For now, it is essential that your will be […]
“The common assumption is that trusts are some kind of tax panacea…Then, conversely, from a South African Revenue Service (SARS) perspective, trusts are viewed with a degree of suspicion and mistrust. [T]he truth lies somewhere between these positions.” (Broomberg on Tax Strategy)
The legal and tax landscape in which South African trusts operate has changed substantially over the last few months, […]
Dementia is a widespread medical condition that affects people of all ages but particularly the elderly, and includes conditions like Alzheimer’s. One of the most significant challenges of dementia is the loss of mental capacity, making it difficult for individuals to make crucial decisions, including those related to their legal affairs, finances and care. This can be particularly problematic when […]
2 months of bills for one month of fun
Realistically, how much leave do you take every year? Most people only manage a couple of weeks. Even if you’re one of the lucky few who can take more, it’s still unlikely that you’ll spend more than a month on holiday in one calendar cycle.
But the bills associated with your little slice […]
As Stephen Covey said, “If there’s one thing that’s certain in business, it’s uncertainty.”
Back in the day, business strategists focused on long-term plans. Some strategists even made 20-year plans! Instead, business strategists now concentrate on flexibility and adaptability in uncertain times.
A great example was the swift shift to online meetings during the Covid pandemic. As part of this forced experiment, […]
