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I have never worked in SA and lived abroad since I started my career, must I file for tax in SA?



Dear Tim,

I am South African citizen. After my studies I went abroad and have lived in the same country since I left SA. I am not registered as a tax payer at SARS but I do have a bank account in SA and sometimes I will send money back to SA.

1) Must I file a tax return every year even though I am not registered at SARS and I have not worked in SA?

2) Sometimes I would like to give money to parents (they live in SA), but I know that there is a limit to how much you can give them each year before they will be taxed. What is that limit?

TaxTim TaxTim says:
20 August 2013 at 23:11

You do not need to file a tax return as you are out of the country and never earned income in SA. Do you intend to ever move back to SA?

You can give money to your parents as gifts, they would be taxed if monies given to them was on a regular basis and seen as an annuity. However in most cases giving money to parents for support does not qualify as taxable income in their hands.

Ryno says:
21 August 2013 at 21:21

Dear Tim,

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm not planning to move back to SA so I guess I don't have to register at SARS.

Together my parents make about R10 000 a month. If I give them R2500 a month will that money be seen as support or how often should I give them money so that it will not been seen as an annuity?

If I come across people who need to file taxes in SA, you will be the first one I mention to help them with taxes. Thanks for doing such a great job.

Best regards

TaxTim TaxTim says:
22 August 2013 at 11:49

If you are seen to support your parents and given the income level you are talking about then they would most likely not even fall within the tax threshold and so you shouldn't worry about the money you send being seen as taxable income in their hands.

Thanks for the support and to pass on our service! Much appreciated!

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