CAPITAL GAINS TAX LIABILITY: INCREASED RELIEF FOR INDIVIDUALS

Any person’s capital gain or loss is determined, for each asset disposed of, during the year of assessment as follows:

Proceeds                                                       xxxx

Less: Base cost                                             xxxx

                         Equals: Capital gain or loss                           xxxx

In order to calculate a taxable capital gain, the sum of all the capital gains and losses for each asset (determined separately) disposed of during the year of assessment is determined. The resulting total is then reduced by an annual exclusion for a taxpayer who is a natural person or special trust.

As of the 1^st of March 2011 this form of relief to natural persons has been increased as follows:

• The annual exclusion has been increased from R 17 500.00 to R 20 000.00 for individuals during their year of assessment.

• In the case of an individual in the year in which the individual dies, this exclusion has jumped from R 120 000.00 to R 200 000.00.

It is important for all taxpayers to be aware of their tax liabilities and also how such liability is incurred. It is for this reason, coupled with recent changes in legislation that we have decided to dedicate a portion of the next few posts to capital gains tax liability in order to keep all OMDW clients and followers updated and fully informed.