Boedelbeplanners en administrateurs moet kennis van die onlangse kosteverhogings neem. Meestersgelde, BTW, boedelbelastings- en skenkingsbelastingskoerse is verhoog. In die Minister van Finansies se onlangse 2018-begrotingstoespraak het hy die verhoging van BTW van 14% na 15% met ingang van 1 April 2018 aangekondig. Die meeste professionele eksekuteurs en trustees behoort geregistreerde BTW-betalers te wees. Eksekuteursfooie is …
Estate planners and administrators must take note of recent cost increases. Master’s fees, VAT, estate duty and donations tax rates have increased. In the Minister of Finance’s recent 2018 budget speech, he announced the increase of VAT to 15% from 14% with effect from 1 April 2018. Most professional executors and trustees should be registered …
Many words were used to describe the budget. They include “balanced”, “difficult but fair”, “understandable”, “conservative” (a major bank), “the price of the Zuma-years” (an analyst), “we had no option”, “balanced act under circumstances” (SACCI), “inevitable and enough to prevent a downgrade” (Raymond Parsons and PwC), “stabilise debt” (a journalist), “necessary bitter pill” (OUTA), “tough …
The following article by Dawie Roodt takes a look at our current status. So, we got downgraded, as expected. In fact, the rating agencies gave us plenty of leeway to correct our sinful ways; to repent. But wickedness, rent seeking, dishonesty and plain evil lead to the inevitable. But the markets expected a downgrade which …
An interesting article by Dawie Roodt. “It’s budget time again and economists and analysts are expected to say what they think the minister of finance will announce in his speech. This is also a time when economists get the opportunity to “advise” on all things fiscal: taxes, state spending, borrowing, debt, key ratios and mysterious things designated by incomprehensible …
The new dominant class, and how they will squeeze you yet again Read More »
As we exit 2016, I would like to share with you the following well written article by Izak Odendaal, Economist at Old Mutual Multi-Managers – expanded on by Private Client Securities – Four questions for 2017. Please Read on…
A somewhat “different”, but apparently – true story. Simply put (in Afrikaans) Slim vang sy baas! Moral of the Story: Don’t push your luck with Insurance Companies – they have dealt with (just about) every trick in the book that man can throw at them.
As long term investors, we need to ignore high-frequency economic data and short term forecasts. There will always be market or media pundits predicting or forecasting the next big crash or stock market meltdown. And in the words of the Oracle of Omaha, aka Warren Buffet – “market forecasters will fill your ear but will …
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is certainly not the most popular statesman in the European Union (EU) after the stunt he pulled this week. Following his call for a national referendum on last week’s proposed EU debt deal he really painted himself as the EU’s big bad wolf. The deal, comprising a €130bn rescue package …
The week in economic perspective – The big bad wolf Read More »
Warren Ingram, CFP says financial news is noise: It might seem strange for a person who appears regularly in the media to state that financial news is noise. I feel that very little financial reporting contains valuable information. Real-time financial news actually inhibits good financial decision-making. Most investors would be better off if they ignored financial …
Matthew Lester looks at ways to cut retirement income requirements so that less tax is payable to SARS. In times gone by the universal approach adopted when retiring or withdrawing from a retirement fund (pension, provident or retirement annuity fund) was ‘take one-third of the capital in cash and the rest as an annuity. When dealing with provident funds, …
Has the outlook on tax planning in retirement changed? Read More »
Not too long ago certain labour movements, political parties and even a few economists called for “a weaker currency”. Now we have one; their silence is deafening! Obviously a weaker currency will make it easier for exporters to compete internationally. Their input prices mostly remain rand based while they receive dollars (or another “hard” …
I recently attended an interesting presentation by Alexander Forbes regarding one of the most comprehensive research exercises ever done on employee benefits in SA. The “Alexander Forbes Benefits Barometer” has been published “against the background of government concerns that South Africa has one of the lowest savings ratios in the world. For example, the current …
Comprehensive Research by Alexander Forbes reveals startling facts Read More »
I have found this little economic “exercise” delightfully interesting – with Christmas hardly a fortnight away! Upon closer examination of the “menu” and after reading the notes at the end, I have decided not to “skip the pudding” over the festive season, but rather tighten my “financial belt” (budget effectively) and invest my savings in …
This Christmas there’s no such thing as a free pudding! Read More »
Many investors approach financial service providers directly because they believe they can get a better deal by cutting out the ‘middle man’, the financial advisor. Getting appropriate financial advice is, however, essential to your financial wellbeing. Read on …
