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Tax for one who has been some unemployed, some working overseas?

Posted 5 February 2014

Ok, so I was retrenched on March 27th 2013. I got a 2 month severance package. From 15th of April up to 30th August I was lucky to get consistent temp jobs. Then from September 1st to October 6th I was unemployed. I left RSA on Oct 7 to come work in Saudi Arabia. Therefore I was unemployed for 50 days and out of SA for 166 days consecutively. I will only be able to come home for 3 weeks between mid September and mid October. I do send about R35,000.00 per month home to pay bills and the bond. I know I am liable for the portion which I earned in RSA, but considering the unemployment days and then the out of country days, do I have to pay tax on my earnings in KSA? This whole thing confuses me and makes me very anxious. Please help!

TaxTim TaxTim says:
6 February 2014 at 9:37

If you fall into the correct stipulations set out in Foreign income exemption then you will not have to pay tax on the foreign earnings. The law stipulates being outside of South Africa for 183 days in any 12 month period. So bear that in mind. Your 12 month period could start 7 October which could make your earnings not taxable. If you pay tax in KSA then those taxes would also be used to reduce any SA taxes owed.

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