Africa: Tax

SARS has announced the filing dates for the 2026 tax season which will open 13 July 2026. We remind all clients that, as tax residents, you are required to declare your worldwide income, not just amounts earned locally in South Africa. This includes earnings from foreign employment, investments, rental income, and any offshore structures. For those taxpayers who choose (or have previously chosen) not to disclose, this decision will not be without consequences. Why?

This issue of ENS' tax in brief provides a comprehensive snapshot of the latest tax developments in South Africa, covering recent case law on VAT apportionment methods, newly published draft taxation bills, income tax notices regarding double taxation agreement advance pricing agreements, and significant updates from SARS including guidance on employment tax incentives and VAT deregistration requirements for schools.

Nigeria's Revenue Service has issued comprehensive guidelines establishing a uniform framework for taxing virtual assets and cryptocurrency transactions. The new rules adopt a substance-over-form approach, focusing on the economic nature of digital asset transactions rather than their technical labels. These guidelines clarify tax treatment, compliance obligations, and administrative procedures for all persons engaged in virtual asset activities under Nigerian law.

SARS has announced the filing dates for the 2026 tax season which will open 13 July 2026. We remind all clients that, as tax residents, you are required to declare your worldwide income, not just amounts earned locally in South Africa. This includes earnings from foreign employment, investments, rental income, and any offshore structures. For those taxpayers who choose (or have previously chosen) not to disclose, this decision will not be without consequences. Why?

This issue of ENS' tax in brief provides a comprehensive snapshot of the latest tax developments in South Africa, covering recent case law on VAT apportionment methods, newly published draft taxation bills, income tax notices regarding double taxation agreement advance pricing agreements, and significant updates from SARS including guidance on employment tax incentives and VAT deregistration requirements for schools.

Nigeria's Revenue Service has issued comprehensive guidelines clarifying how virtual assets are taxed under existing legislation. The framework addresses taxation for individuals and businesses engaged in cryptocurrency trading, virtual asset service providers, and peer-to-peer marketplaces. A notable feature is the requirement to compute gains in US dollars rather than Naira.

Estate planning extends far beyond drafting a valid Will. This article examines the critical but often overlooked issue of estate liquidity—the availability of cash to settle taxes, debts, and administration costs—and explains why asset-rich estates can still face serious financial challenges during administration.

Between Wednesday and Thursday, 7th and 8th of May 2025, the Senate passed all four of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's proposed tax reform bills for the next step of enactment into laws.

In 2024, the Nigeria government took a bold step to overhaul its tax system by proposing significant reforms aimed at increasing revenue generation, reducing economic inequalities, and improving compliance.

Nigeria's Revenue Service has issued comprehensive guidelines clarifying how virtual assets are taxed under existing legislation. The framework addresses taxation for individuals and businesses engaged in cryptocurrency trading, virtual asset service providers, and peer-to-peer marketplaces. A notable feature is the requirement to compute gains in US dollars rather than Naira.

This comprehensive briefing covers recent tax law changes, regulatory updates, and compliance requirements across multiple African jurisdictions including Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, and many others. The updates span corporate tax reforms, VAT amendments, withholding tax changes, and new administrative procedures affecting businesses operating throughout the continent.

Botswana's comprehensive tax reform, effective July 2026, introduces significant changes to income tax, VAT, and tax administration that directly impact foreign businesses operating in or entering the market. The new framework affects permanent establishment exposure, cross-border payments, digital services taxation, and compliance requirements, requiring businesses to reassess their existing structures and operational models.