By now the dust of the February 2022 Budget Speech has settled. I however have been up to my usual research and detective mode as I needed more clarity in terms of the Limitation Rule that was coming into effect with the new reduced Corporate Income Tax rate.
South African (SA)-resident companies are subject to corporate income tax (CIT) on their worldwide income, irrespective of the source of the income. Non-residents are taxable on SA-source income.
For tax years ending before 31 March 2023, the CIT rate applicable to the corporate income of both resident and non-resident companies is a flat 28%. This rate will be reduced to 27% with effect for years of assessment ending on or after 31 March 2023.
It is important to note that the commencement date for the reduced corporate rate will coincide with assessed loss limitation rules in terms of which corporate taxpayers will only be allowed to claim assessed losses against 80% of their income, as well as with the cross-border interest limitation rules where the deduction will be limited to 30% of ‘tax EBITDA’.
Limitation of assessed losses
As per the Tax Laws Amendments Act 2021, the limitation of assessed losses became effective on 1 April 2022.
The principle: the amendment limits the loss you are allowed to claim against taxable income to a maximum of 80% of the taxable income for the particular tax year.
Example: taxable income for the year is R2,000,000 and the assessed loss carried forward is R5,000,000.
- You will be allowed to claim an assessed loss carried forward, limited to a maximum of 80% of the taxable income, thus R2,000,000 x 80% = R1,600,000
- Tax will remain payable on the balance of 20%, thus R400,000 x 27% = R108,000
NB – remember that this will also impact your provisional tax and your cashflow.
If you made a loss in the year of assessment, you pay no tax, and the accumulated loss increases.
The term for which assessed losses can be carried has at the time of writing this article not yet been finalised.
For more information on the February 2022 Budget Speech highlights that may impact your business, watch the Business Brainvawes Masterclass and subscribe to the YouTube channel/
