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Does theft have a tax consequence?
It depends on whether you’re the thief or the victim
RAISING INCOME by an organ of state for public use was once famously described as “legalised theft” by French economist Frédéric Bastiat.
Given that paying one’s taxes is an activity that is enforced by legislation, it’s hard to argue against the idea that taxation essentially involves the coercive taking of one’s property.
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Life insurance vs. funeral cover
Why it’s vital to understand the difference
IN THE 2025 FNB Retirement Insights Survey, 78% of respondents South Africans over 60 said that they have funeral cover, while 38% (of the total market) confirmed having life insurance. The gap says a lot.
Most South Africans see funeral policies as essential because of the rising costs of burial and the deep cultural expectation to give loved ones a dignified send-off. Life insurance, on the other hand, is less understood—despite its role in securing long-term financial stability for those left behind.
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PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL US)
PayPal is a leading provider of online payment technology, enabling individuals and merchants to conduct electronic transactions and transfer money quickly and securely. In addition to the PayPal brand, the company also operates Venmo, Xoom, Braintree, and Zettle.
Technically, a price that remains above support presents a promising investment opportunity (see the black trendline on the main chart). When the price consistently holds above a well-established support level, it is viewed as a bullish signal.
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The ‘Big Three’ tax worries (Part 3: Property)
Rounding up our series on the three main worries for taxpayers, we discuss property
So you now know how to claim your car expenses on your tax return, and are reasonably confident that you can now manage your share investments without incurring the wrath of SARS.
But the one thing that really keeps you awake at night is how SARS views your investment in property.
The areas that concern taxpayers the most are Capital Gains Tax (CGT) when the property is sold, particularly when such property is the home in which you live; and how rental income is taxed.
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Common security mistakes when investing in crypto
Decentralised finance is booming—and so are the security risks
WHEN THE first cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was proposed in 2008, the goal was simple: to create a digital currency free from banks and governments. Over time, that idea evolved into something much bigger: ‘decentralised finance’, or ‘DeFi’.
With decentralised finance, people trade, borrow, and earn interest on crypto assets without relying on traditional intermediaries. DeFi services run on blockchains, which are essentially digital ledgers, and use ‘smart contracts’—self-executing code that automates financial transactions.
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SARS’ tips for Filing Season 2025
Getting ready, submitting early, improved eFiling features, auto-assessments, and fraud warnings
TAX FILING Season opens on 21 July 2025, and it is therefore critical that third-party data providers should submit accurate and complete information on time for individual filing season. This makes it easier for taxpayers to file tax returns, and to stay compliant.
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