The transition from the old emigration regime to the current regime - ceasing of tax residency, came with some relief. However, there were some silent changes that went unnoticed. The most notable change has been the requirement of a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS PIN) for every capital transfer a Non-Resident/Non-Tax Resident makes to offshore. The Financial Surveillance Department (FinSurv) released an Exchange Control Circular (No. 8/2021) last year which shed more light on this change:
“Earlier this year, in January 2021, the Reserve Bank issued new Exchange Control Regulations which effectively legalises what is commonly referred to as the ‘loop structure’.” Even though we have experienced some financial instability because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent looting, the effects of what’s currently happening in the country is yet to be fully realised. This has caused many investors in South Africa to look outside our borders. But what does this mean for anyone who would like to move investments offshore?