Emigration (Leaving SA)
MarioAna
Esteemed member
We have yes.
Emigration (Leaving SA)
- Thread starter AdrianH
- Start date
What benefit do you get if you keep your SA citizenship? I have friends who renounced their citizenship and they still go to SA without any visa.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
I would rather live in SA than UK if WW3 breaks out [emoji12]
Seriously, I guess it's just knowing at any time I could go back no problems and continue living there.
Why did they renounce?
He renounced because he said there is no point, he travels to SA 1/2 times a year with no issue.
It just feels like a bit of extra admin, buy a green mamba, submit yearly non resident sars tax return. I plan to renounce mine as soon as I get a chance though.
I guess if you still have ties to SA, it would make sense.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
You only submit an annual tax return in SA if your tax status is resident, or if your tax status is non-resident and you earn income from SA. Citizenship will not affect this.
Much like you asked what's the benefits of keeping it, I don't see any benefits in renouncing it except for a passport renewal every 10 years, which is peanuts from UK.
No? You tick that box that says "non resident" and submit, even if you don't earn an income.
Are you sure about this? Another South African I work with does this too.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
FAQ: When will a non-resident be required to submit a tax return?
Non-residents are taxed on income received or accrued from a South African source (such as annuities which accrue to a person as a result of services rendered in SA, rental income from property in SA or interest income from a local bank, etc.). If a non-resident receives income from a South African source, he or she may be required to submit a return.
FAQ: When will a non-resident be required to submit a tax return? | South African Revenue Service
Non-residents are taxed on income received or accrued from a South African source (such as annuities which accrue to a person as a result of services rendered
www.sars.gov.za
And also...
Question: if I have already emigrated, do I still need to file a SARS tax return?
Answer 3: non-resident + no South African sourced income
No, you will not need to submit a SARS tax return if you have completed tax emigration and SARS has issued you with a confirmation of non-resident status letter and you no longer receive any income from South Africa. If you are no longer a tax resident, you no longer fall under the authority of SARS.
No income in South Africa means you have nothing to declare and no reason to be taxed by SARS.
Do I still need to submit my South African tax returns if I’ve emigrated?
As a result, South African tax residents are now liable to declare and be taxed on their worldwide and local income.
www.finglobal.com
@AdrianH, oh cool, I have my letter of non tax resident so bonus!
My wife had some stupidly small amount of money in the one savings account of hers and when she closed the account from the UK last year, she was asked to submit a return because SARS was notified and then marked her as resident in SA so she had to apply all over again for that letter.
My wife had some stupidly small amount of money in the one savings account of hers and when she closed the account from the UK last year, she was asked to submit a return because SARS was notified and then marked her as resident in SA so she had to apply all over again for that letter.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
Why do you keep money there? Sure, higher interest rates, but with the ever weakening ZAR, kinda cancels out the gains.
MarioAna
Esteemed member
Interest rates were definitely a factor. Weakening rand is unfortunate and a gamble for sure. Also have very recently cashed out our RAs so that had to go to an SA account but yeah we are probably going to be moving the rest over this year some time.
Might take a gamble and do it after the elections, not that i expect that to have much impact. Just dealing with a strong dollar now is the biggest factor.
Tag11
Active member
In 2027, (or 6mths before your passport expires) if you go to Menlyn Mall in Pretoria - make an appointment online - it will be quick and easy.
30min max at the centre.
2 weeks max to get your passport - sometimes 4 days.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
Holiday, work, or emigration?
Tag11
Active member
So, besides me reading the entire doc and googling, do you know the answer to this question:FAQ: When will a non-resident be required to submit a tax return?
Non-residents are taxed on income received or accrued from a South African source (such as annuities which accrue to a person as a result of services rendered in SA, rental income from property in SA or interest income from a local bank, etc.). If a non-resident receives income from a South African source, he or she may be required to submit a return.
FAQ: When will a non-resident be required to submit a tax return? | South African Revenue Service
Non-residents are taxed on income received or accrued from a South African source (such as annuities which accrue to a person as a result of services rendered
And also...
Question: if I have already emigrated, do I still need to file a SARS tax return?
Answer 3: non-resident + no South African sourced income
No, you will not need to submit a SARS tax return if you have completed tax emigration and SARS has issued you with a confirmation of non-resident status letter and you no longer receive any income from South Africa. If you are no longer a tax resident, you no longer fall under the authority of SARS.
No income in South Africa means you have nothing to declare and no reason to be taxed by SARS.
Do I still need to submit my South African tax returns if I’ve emigrated?
As a result, South African tax residents are now liable to declare and be taxed on their worldwide and local income.
Non-resident but with an income source from South Africa - let's say interest, investments, rent.
When submitting the SARS return, do you still have to disclose worldwide earnings and assets? Or do you only submit on SA-generated revenues and get taxed at the marginal rate relative to those returns?
KenMasters
Super Moderator
We only submit our SA generated revenue in SA.
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
If your SARS tax status is "resident" then yes, world-wide earnings. If your SAR tax status is "non-resident", then only income sourced in SA.
You need to apply to have your SARS tax status changed.
Emigration
OP
AdrianH
Administrator
Must say, those countries aren't even close to the top of my list if preferred destinations.
Any reason why?