Accountants In Motion

Married Out of Community of Property? You May Still Be Entitled to a Share

Couples who sign antenuptial contracts often believe they have permanently settled the question of money in their marriage. What is mine stays mine. What is yours stays yours. Not so fast. The Constitutional Court recently expanded access to redistribution orders for spouses married out of community of property without accrual, particularly where strict enforcement of an antenuptial contract would produce unfair financial consequences at divorce. A 2025 KwaZulu-Natal High Court judgment shows what the redistribution remedy can deliver in practice.

Markets Are Easy to Access. Wisdom Isn’t

Advances in technology have opened financial markets up to anyone who owns a smartphone. But easy access does not necessarily translate to stellar investment outcomes. While online platforms have made investing easier than ever, long-term success still depends on discipline, structure, and avoiding costly mistakes. Much of the value financial advisors add comes from helping investors stay focused on long-term goals.

Business Budgeting Strategies for Navigating Volatile Markets

Particularly in volatile economic times like these, effective budgeting is a critical driver of business success. This is because a budget enables sustainable growth by aligning financial resources with strategic business goals. We can assist you to create well-structured budgets that provide a roadmap for navigating the ongoing market ups and downs, while maintaining cashflow and identifying opportunities for investment.

Non-Compliant Trust? Penalties are Piling up…

This tax season marks an important shift for trusts, which are now subject to heightened reporting requirements, regardless of activity, as well as automated penalties for non-compliance starting on 4 May 2026. If you have a non-compliant trust, even if it is inactive, please speak to us. SARS has taken a zero-tolerance approach to trust compliance, increasing scrutiny of trust administration and automatically applying ongoing penalties and interest that can rapidly accumulate.

Annual Employer Tax Recon Due End May

The Annual Employer Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) remains a focus area for SARS. Employers have until the end of May to submit their declarations for the period 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026. We invite you to rely on our expertise to ensure compliance with this legal requirement, as submitting incorrect or incomplete declarations (or missing the deadline) will cause additional work, penalties, delays and hassles for you and your employees.

Selling Your Business to Retire? Get This Tax Relief!

If you’re a small business owner aged 55 or older, the 2026 Budget contained some very good news. Not only has the CGT exemption on the sale of small business by older persons been increased, but the definition of “small business” has also been expanded. This could make a big difference to your retirement situation, not to mention the future of your business. Find out here what the new limits and conditions are, and how they might affect the decision and timing of a business sale.

The 40% Rule: Do You Have Too Many Eggs in One Basket?

Client concentration risk can sink a healthy business faster than falling sales. When one customer accounts for too much revenue, cash flow, valuation, and even survival hinge on decisions you don’t control. Here we explain the “40% Rule.” What it is, why lenders and investors care about it, and how to manage concentration risk before it manages you.

Why Every South African Also Needs a “Digital Will”

Estate planning in South Africa has followed a well-trodden path: we draft a will, appoint an executor, and ensure our physical assets – the house, the car, the Krugerrands – are accounted for. However, in an era where our lives are increasingly hosted in the cloud, a significant portion of our estates is becoming invisible. Without a “digital will” or a comprehensive folder, your heirs may find themselves locked out of your financial, sentimental, and professional life.

Buying a House: What Costs Will You Pay, and When?

It’s a really exciting time, buying a house, particularly if it’s your first! Don’t forget, however, that you will have to pay a variety of costs over and above the purchase price. What are those costs and when must you pay them? Do they impact your ability to afford the house you have your eye on? We’ll address those questions with a checklist of costs you should budget for. It’s a good idea to work these into a cash flow forecast so you aren’t ambushed by any unpleasant financial surprises during the transfer process.

Author: Accountants In Motion

Estate Planning: The Ambush Tax Lurking in the Wings