Latest news with #MotshwariMofokeng
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Understanding South Africa's 2025 tax season: key filing dates and tips
Your complete guide to filing your tax and all your related questions answered! Image: Pixabay Tax season is officially in full swing. While some have already been selected for auto assessment, others will have to wait a little longer. IOL has put together a guide to help you and answer any questions you may have. This year's tax filing season officially kicked off in July, with auto assessments running from 7 – 20 July. For non-provisional taxpayers who were not auto-assessed, they will be able to submit and file their income tax returns between 21 July – 20 October 2025. Read more here - Brace yourselves, SARS is sliding into your inbox – Tax season starts now! Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ How to file your tax return The South African Revenue Service (SARS) explained that taxpayers are required to submit a tax return so that SARS can calculate their tax liability based on the income they declare and the tax-deductible expenses they have incurred for a year of assessment. SARS added that in some cases, after completing the assessment, a refund may be due to the taxpayer. SARS has also simplified its processes. Read more here - Tax Season | How to effortlessly file your SARS return in 20 minutes If you qualify for exemption but submit a tax return anyway and make an error, you could delay any possible refunds or even receive penalties for incorrect filing. Image: Motshwari Mofokeng, Independent Newspapers. What if I don't file? SARS explained that taxpayers who do not receive notifications from SARS that they are automatically assessed are encouraged to submit their tax returns in a timely and accurate manner from July 21. Failing to file, even when no tax is owed, can lead to administrative penalties of up to R250 to R16,000 per month for each return outstanding. "In more severe cases, persistent non-compliance may result in criminal charges, including prosecution for tax evasion. Importantly, SARS uses advanced data-matching systems and international reporting standards to detect undeclared income, so assuming you're not "under the Radar" is a risky gamble," Tax Consulting South Africa said. Read more here - Tax Season | The real price of not filing your tax return in South Africa Watch out for scams SARS has warned of scams during the filing season. "The taxpayers in the auto assessment category do not have to do anything if they are satisfied with the calculation on their tax returns. "If the taxpayer thinks that SARS has not captured all the necessary information, they are free to make changes on their tax returns and submit the missing information through eFiling by October 20," the revenue said. Read more here - If you get scammed we can't give you back your money, SARS tells taxpayers IOL
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Fuel prices set to rise in July due to Middle East conflict
South African motorists may have to dig deeper into their pockets in July, as another potential fuel price hike looms. Image: Motshwari Mofokeng/Independent Newspapers South African motorists may have to fork out more for petrol in July, as another potential fuel price hike looms. According to mid-June data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), Petrol 95 is under-recovering by about 47 cents per litre, and Petrol 93 by around 43 cents. Diesel prices are showing larger under-recoveries of approximately 69 and 71 cents per litre for the two types respectively. Illuminating paraffin is also under-recovering by roughly 57 cents per litre. An under-recovery occurs when fuel levies do not fully cover the rising global oil prices and currency fluctuations, resulting in higher pump prices to compensate for the shortfall. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ These are only projections based on mid-month data and not final figures. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will confirm the official prices just before they take effect in July. The situation is a result of a sharp jump in Brent crude prices because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. The conflict began last week when Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear and military facilities. These strikes resulted in the deaths of the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and several top nuclear scientists. The situation was made worse when the US joined the war by launching an attack on Iranian nuclear sites with US President Donald Trump saying they had "totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said. According to Oxford Economics since the war began Brent crude oil prices spiked by over 10%. Oxford Economics is a "leading global economic advisory firm, providing data-driven insights and forecasts". "The Brent crude oil price spiked by over 10% as the conflict started and remains elevated in the $70-$78 per barrel range at the time of writing, well above pre-escalation levels. "The most severe scenario is a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Around one-third of all seaborne oil passes through this chokepoint, and a shutdown would freeze oil exports from Kuwait and Qatar, and restrict exports from Iraq, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia". Cape Argus
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Challenges in implementing the Health Patient Registration System in KwaZulu-Natal
The Addington Hospital has been selected as one of the 10 hospitals that will begin implementing the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) in KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Motshwari Mofokeng / Independent Newspapers Budget shortfall and internet connectivity are some of the challenges hampering progress in the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) in KwaZulu-Natal. With KZN having deep rural areas, the issue of connectivity to health services was making it difficult to implement the HPRS, said KZN Department of Health (DoH) MEC Nomagagu Simelane when she addressed the Select Committee on Social Services at the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday. The committee received briefings from Health departments in KZN, Mpumalanga, and the Northern Cape on the readiness to implement the HPRS. Simelane said some clinics in rural areas were not able to implement the HRPS because they could not connect to the internet, adding that there was a strategy to deal with it. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The HPRS is an initiative to improve healthcare and data management as one of the National Health Insurance (NHI) imperatives. The HPRS will enable better patient tracking and contributes to reduced waiting times at the registration desk At present, the system lacks interoperability with existing systems in the DoH, said the Acting Head of Department (HOD) in KZN, Penny Msimango. Thus far, 15 million patients have been registered, with 3.7 million of them at 74 health facilities in the eThekwini district. In KZN, the number of facilities with functional HPRS is 488 and non-functional 119 with challenges being faced at 116 clinics. Msimango said that 42 hospitals have started implementing the eHealth system to digitise medical records across the province to replace outdated paper-based record keeping with a digital platform. Interestingly, none of the KZN hospitals have implemented the HPRS, but the DoH has identified 10 hospitals to pilot it. These hospitals are part of the 42 hospitals using the eHealth system, which Msimango hopes will achieve interoperability between eHealth and HPRS. 'Although the system offers significant benefits, its functionality is currently limited to patient registration and there are persistent issues with unreliable or slow internet connectivity. Some facilities do not have functional computers and scanners but procurement is being undertaken in phases, and subject to the availability of the budget,' she said.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Why a medical report isn't enough for disability insurance claims
Discover the critical differences between employer medical boarding processes and disability insurance criteria as highlighted by the National Financial Ombud Scheme of South Africa. Learn how these distinctions can impact your disability claims. Image: Motshwari Mofokeng/Independent Newspapers A medical report does not automatically qualify an employee for disability insurance, according to the National Financial Ombud Scheme of South Africa (NFO). It said, while medical reports serve as key evidence, the employer's medical boarding policy may differ significantly from the criteria used by insurers to determine eligibility for disability benefits. The (NFO) describes itself as a single, one-stop, dispute resolution service made up of four former longstanding industry ombud schemes: the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, the Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance; the Credit Ombud and Ombudsman for Banking Services. Services are provided free of charge. According to the NFO, medical evidence forms part of a broader application process that assesses the nature and extent of the disability, as well as the individual's ability to perform their duties, whether in their current occupation or an alternative role. The NFO says it regularly receives complaints from employees who have been dismissed due to incapacity or medically boarded by their employer, but later find their disability claims denied. 'The employee and the employer operate under the assumption that if the employer's doctor has declared the employee disabled for work, the insurer would pay his disability benefit. This is not correct. 'The employer's boarding or incapacity process and an application for disability benefits from an insurer in terms of the policy contract are two distinct processes,' says Denise Gabriels, lead ombud of the Life Insurance Division at the NFO. Gabriels highlighted two cases where employees were medically boarded but had their disability claims declined. In one instance, a Code 14 truck driver suffered vision loss in his right eye, undergoing multiple medical procedures. When he applied for income disability benefits through the group scheme's insurer, his claim was declined as it did not meet the policy's medical criteria. One year later, while still receiving specialist treatment, his employment was terminated due to ill health. His employer did not assist him with the claim process, instead advising him to appeal the insurer's decision. Under the policy terms, the driver needed to be classified as disabled under the Own Occupation clause, which meant he had to be unable to perform duties specific to his job. However, given his profession, the policy automatically referenced Any Occupation, meaning he had to prove that he was unable to perform any other role in the open labour market. Although the insurer acknowledged his inability to drive a heavy-duty truck, they deemed him capable of performing other tasks, including driving a light motor vehicle. His appeal was denied because he could still undertake alternative employment. Meanwhile, his employer terminated his services before the claim was finalised, without considering redeployment to a different role. The NFO stepped in, questioning whether it was reasonable to expect a 57-year-old truck driver with impaired vision to re-enter the labour market. Following further discussions, the insurer reconsidered and approved his claim. 'The NFO asked the insurer to reconsider its decision based on fairness and equity. Following further consideration, the insurer agreed to pay the claim. 'In deciding on disability claims, insurers have a responsibility to be fair and unbiased. The insurer should consider the individual's specific circumstances and attributes when assessing the risk,' Gabriels says. In another case, an underground load driver was medically declared unfit for his job due to a respiratory condition by an Occupational Medical Practitioner (OMP). When his claim for disability benefits was denied, he lodged a complaint with the NFO. His employer had found him unfit for underground work, could not offer an alternative position, and terminated his employment. However, the insurer noted that his respiratory pathology was mild, and while he was deemed unfit for underground tasks, no medical restrictions prevented him from operating the load driver vehicle. Following treatment, his condition improved, and he was no longer on chronic medication. His claim was declined as he did not meet the policy's strict criteria requiring a continuous, permanent, and total inability to work in his own occupation or a suitable alternative. The insurer considered a follow-up assessment that showed his medical condition was stable, his respiratory examination was normal, and his daily function was unaffected. Despite this, the OMP still declared him permanently incapacitated from underground work. His employer, unable to offer surface work, terminated his employment. The NFO ultimately ruled in favour of the insurer, concluding that while he was medically boarded, his medical evidence did not support total disability in terms of the policy. 'The availability of work within the mine and or in the open labour market is not a relevant factor in determining whether a person is disabled in terms of the policy. In this instance, the medical evidence did not support that the complainant was permanently unfit to work as a Load Driver or take up a suitable alternative occupation. 'The NFO could not assist this complainant, and the complaint was therefore dismissed,' Gabriels explained. These cases underscore the critical distinction between employer medical boarding processes and insurance policy criteria. Employees must understand that being medically boarded does not guarantee disability benefits under an insurance policy, she says. Gabriels says insurers assess claims based on contract definitions, which may differ from medical assessments. Alternative employment opportunities may influence claim decisions, even if the individual is unable to perform their current job. Employees should carefully review their policy terms and seek guidance if their claim is denied. With growing concerns over disability claims, the role of ombud schemes like the NFO remains vital in ensuring fairness and accountability in the insurance sector, she says. PERSONAL FINANCE
IOL News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SAFTU rallies for workers' rights on International Workers' Day
Workers unite: South African Federation Trade Union's message on International Workers' Day Image: Motshwari Mofokeng/Independent Newspapers South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) marked the International Workers' Day with a rallying cry for solidarity against government austerity measures, proposed labour law amendments, and the widening inequality gap. In a statement issued on Thursday by SAFTU, the federation's General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, highlighted workers' ongoing struggles and the importance of collective action. Vavi underscored May Day's roots, recalling the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago, where police opened fire on workers demanding an eight-hour workday. 'No right was given freely—every gain was won through mass struggle,' he stated. 'Today, we are in solidarity with workers worldwide who continue to fight for dignity and justice. In South Africa, May Day is more than a commemoration; it's a call to action. 'It's a day of battle—a day to renew our fight against capitalist exploitation and racial oppression,' Vavi declared. Current Challenges Facing Workers Vavi painted a stark picture of South Africa's socio-economic landscape, warning of an 'onslaught' on workers' rights. He condemned austerity policies, corporate greed, and the erosion of hard-won gains. 'Our communities are being torn apart by policies prioritizing profits over people,' he said. Recent protests in Cape Town and across the country, where workers marched against a proposed VAT hike—the union describing it as a 'tax on the poor'—sparked this renewed activism. SAFTU also welcomed a recent court victory by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which challenged the government's VAT implementation, exposing authorities' lawlessness. Exposing Political Betrayal Vavi accused the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's main opposition, of hypocrisy. While publicly opposing VAT increases, the DA allegedly plotted to weaken public services, sabotaging efforts like the National Health Insurance (NHI), blocking education reforms, and privatising state assets. 'The DA's game is not to defend the poor but to serve big business; we must reject their treachery and build our power,' Vavi charged. Vavi painted a stark picture of South Africa's socio-economic landscape, warning of an 'onslaught' on workers' rights. He condemned austerity policies, corporate greed, and the erosion of hard-won gains. 'Our communities are being torn apart by policies prioritising profits over people,' he said. Recent protests in Cape Town and across the country, where workers marched against a proposed VAT hike—the union describing it as a 'tax on the poor'—sparked this renewed activism. SAFTU also welcomed a recent court victory by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which challenged the government's VAT implementation, exposing authorities' lawlessness. Exposing Political Betrayal Vavi accused the Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's main opposition, of hypocrisy. While publicly opposing VAT increases, the DA allegedly plotted to weaken public services, sabotaging efforts like the National Health Insurance (NHI), blocking education reforms, and privatizing state assets. 'The DA's game is not to defend the poor but to serve big business; we must reject their treachery and build our power,' Vavi charged. Threats to Workers' Rights SAFTU warned of a broader assault on workers' rights through proposed amendments to labor laws and the draft Code of Good Practice on Dismissal. These, they argued, threaten to legitimise arbitrary dismissals, workplace discrimination, and union busting. 'These proposals are a declaration of war,' Vavi emphasises. The union called for mass resistance, urging workers to reject these changes and defend their rights to strike, organise, and resist. Land and Worker Struggles: The Voice of the Land Party SA The Land Party SA issued a statement linking worker struggles with land justice, adding depth to the ongoing conversation. Avela Sithonga, Head of Communications, reflected on worker resistance's historical and ongoing significance, tying it to land struggles and anti-capitalist resistance. 'The Marikana massacre, where 34 mineworkers lost their lives protesting exploitation, remains a stark reminder of the brutal response to worker dissent,' Sithonga said. 'Worker struggles are inherently land struggles.' He called for a united front against systemic land dispossession, emphasising that land restitution is essential for true emancipation. 'The Land Party continues to urge all Africans to invest in the fight to reclaim the land as a cornerstone of liberation.' Tributes were paid to fallen workers worldwide, including those killed during the 2012 Marikana massacre. Sithonga condemned the government's use of police to terrorise activists and called on unemployed South Africans to demand job creation. 'We condemn the government's use of police to intimidate workers and activists,' he stated. 'There are no rights worth fighting for without jobs. We call for abolishing minimum wages below the taxable income and introducing a genuine living wage.' He emphasised strengthening local manufacturing to boost economic growth and reduce unemployment 'A prosperous economy depends on a government committed to prioritising people's needs.' [email protected] IOL Politics The Roots of the Land Party SA Sithonga recounted how the Land Party emerged from struggles over land access and racial discrimination in employment. He stated that the party fought against illegal dismissals and defended landless protesters, notably in Hermanus. 'The Land Party became a beacon of hope against racial discrimination and for fair working conditions,' he said. He also highlighted that the party has intervened in construction projects in Stanford, advocating for local employment, and fought exploitation of undocumented workers by some local companies, where migrant workers face low pay and poor conditions. Much like SAFTU, Sithonga criticised the DA's policies in Western Cape, which he says encouraged exploitation and contributed to workplace accidents, including last year's deadly collapse in George. 'We demand that South Africans get priority in leasing public buildings and that racial discrimination in workplaces ends,' he declared. On the anniversary of their march for local employment, Sithonga called for continued resistance against capitalism.
