how to become a tax lawyer in south africa

by Miss Rylee Jakubowski PhD 9 min read

By law, ALL ICB members and graduates who wish to be tax practitioners must do the following:

  • Register as a member of the ICBA, and ensure that your membership is valid for the current year.
  • Apply to the ICBA’s membership department asking to be recognised as a SARS tax practitioner. ...
  • Register with SAIT and comply with their registered tax practitioner requirements. ...

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Becoming a tax attorney requires graduation from a college or university and being able to complete three years of law school. The tax attorney's career begins by earning a Bachelor's Degree with a background in business or accounting. You cannot apply to law school without that degree.

Full Answer

How to become a tax attorney?

Feb 22, 2018 · You need to have a good understanding of tax basics, tax law, and current tax regulations (Tax Administration Act). Additional courses in tax law and a formal tax apprenticeship should be enough to get you there. Keeping up with changes in tax laws should not be ignored. Register with the regulatory body (SARS).

How long does it take to become an attorney in SA?

Jun 30, 2017 · Register as a member of the ICBA, and ensure that your membership is valid for the current year. Apply to the ICBA’s membership department asking to be recognised as a SARS tax practitioner. Email us on enquiries@icba.org.za . The ICBA will supply you with a letter of recommendation that you must submit to SAIT.

How to become a tax practitioner in South Africa?

Aug 29, 2016 · To become registered with SARS, Tax Consultants need to be members of a South African professional organisation. Options include SAICA, SAIPA or SAIT registration. Another alternative is to register with the Law Society of South Africa. Qualifications, Training and Tax Courses. To secure tax consultant jobs you will need a tertiary education. Entrance to tax …

What subjects do you need to become a lawyer in South Africa?

2 REQUIREMENTS OF BECOMING A LAWYER IN SOUTH AFRICA 2.1 1. TAKE A LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION TEST (LSAT) 2.2 2. ACQUIRE UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE 2.3 3. VACATION WORK 3 4. UPDATE YOUR CV 3.1 5. APPLY FOR ARTICLES OF CLERKSHIP 3.2 6. REGISTER YOUR CONTRACT 3.3 7. PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING (Law school) 3.4 8. FITNESS 3.5 7. …

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How do I become a tax lawyer?

To be eligible for a postgraduate programme in Tax Law, an aspirant is required to have completed an LLB or its equivalent degree. Candidates who have completed a 5-year long integrated law course shall also be considered eligible for admission to the PG Diploma or LL. M course in Tax Law.Oct 21, 2021

How much do tax lawyers earn in South Africa?

An entry level tax attorney (1-3 years of experience) earns an average salary of R702,165. On the other end, a senior level tax attorney (8+ years of experience) earns an average salary of R1,271,573.

Where can I study tax law in South Africa?

LLM Programs in Tax Law / Taxation - South AfricaUniversity of Cape Town (UCT) - The School for Advanced Legal Studies. ... University of South Africa (UNISA) - College of Law. ... University of Pretoria. ... University of KwaZulu-Natal - Howard College Campus. ... University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) - Pietermaritzburg Campus.More items...

What does a tax lawyer do in South Africa?

Tax lawyers will advise clients regarding the tax implications of transactions concluded and, where necessary, apply for a ruling from the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) where clarification is required on the interpretation of the tax laws.

Are tax lawyers in demand?

As long as there are taxes, there will be a need for tax lawyers—and you know what they say about death and taxes. There's a constant demand for tax law expertise, and your services will definitely be relevant all year round. (You may even be busier than your law school peers in litigation or other transactional work!)

What can I do with an LLB degree in South Africa?

Possible job titles related to lawAdministrative lawyer.Advocate.Arbitrator.Attorney.Case manager.Commercial rights manager.Compliance officer.Compliance specialist.More items...

How long does it take to study tax law?

State certification typically requires an exam and five years of work experience in tax law. A master of law (LLM) in taxation usually takes two years to complete and can shave a year or more off the work experience requirement for certification. Some firms require their tax attorneys to hold LLMs.Mar 7, 2022

How do I become a tax accountant in South Africa?

You can qualify if you obtained a three-year Bachelor degree with Tax as a major subject and at least Accounting 3, have three years of verifiable practical experience in a tax environment, and pass the CoTE Professional Tax Examination.

Is taxation module hard?

The fundamentals of tax aren't conceptually hard, it's really just quantity that kills you, but I imagine they'll keep it pretty simple. There is the slight issue of you presumably not having an accounting background, but again I reckon they'll just make it super-simple so that that isn't an issue.

Are tax attorneys in demand in South Africa?

Job Outlook for a Tax Lawyer There are Federal and State opportunities for tax lawyers and many businesses hire tax lawyers as well. There is no shortage of opportunities for those looking to enter into the tax law practice area.

Is law in demand in South Africa?

Is South Africa in demand of lawyers? Yes, they are needed. The reason is that law is presumed to be one of the most lucrative career choices a person can ever make in South Africa and worldwide.Mar 15, 2022

What does a tax lawyer do?

Interprets and applies key tax sources in order to carry out and document the results of tax compliance and advisory work. Analyzes authorities and reaches conclusions relating to fact patterns and issues of moderate complexity.

How long does it take to become an attorney in South Africa?

It takes at least seven years to become an attorney and an additional year to become an advocate. Only some foreign-trained lawyers are able to avoid repeating their LLBs at a South African law school – as usually a South African qualification is necessary.

How long does it take to get an attorney's license?

Once you have completed at least six months of your articles of clerkship, then you can take the Attorney's Admission Examination. This has four parts; Practice and Procedure, Wills and Estates, Attorneys’ Practice, Contracts and Rules of Conduct, and Legal Bookkeeping.

How long is the legal practice course?

It can be shortened to one year if the student completes the full-time course at the School for Legal Practice for a period of approximately six months. Otherwise, this course is attended on a part-time basis for a shorter period of time of around five months.

What is a tax practitioner?

A Tax Practitioner, also known as a Tax Consultant, is hired to offer advice regarding taxation matters. Their job involves analysing tax issues and writing reports as well as overseeing tax returns and dealing with disputes.

What skills do you need to be a tax consultant?

To succeed in this field you will need to have outstanding numeracy and analytical skills. Problem-solving capabilities and organisational skills are also required for this role. Tax Consultant jobs require superior negotiation capabilities as well as commercial awareness. Time management and interpersonal skills are also vital to this role.

How long does it take to become an attorney?

Once you have completed at least six months of your articles of clerkship, PLT course and proven to be fit to serve as an attorney, you can then take the Attorneys Admission Examination.

What do you need to prove to become an attorney?

This involves showing your moral integrity and honesty in everything you do, including your work. Also, there is an interview during the application process to the Law Society by a senior member and this is when attention is placed on issues such as previous convictions.

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers have to understand and analyze large amounts of information. They must read quickly and figure out what’s important to their case. Then, they need to effectively communicate this information in writing. Some legal specialities lean primarily on speaking, while other careers focus entirely on writing. However, all lawyers need to be able to read, write, and speak effectively.

What is a PLT course?

This is a compulsory course in practical legal training that teaches you legal skills and prepares you for your board exams. You will need to complete your PLT before you can be admitted as an attorney. Some big firms provide an “in-house” PLT course.

Can a lawyer work for their clients?

Lawyers can not work effectively for their clients unless they are able to listen and comprehend what is being communicated. Cases often hinge on the details, and a lawyer must be able to pick up on those details.

Who is Johnnie from Tax Consulting?

Johnnie is a tax attorney at Tax Consulting SA. He holds a BCom in Law and LLB both obtained from the University of Pretoria. His areas of expertise include legal issues pertaining to personal income tax (PIT), Voluntary Disclosure Programmes, Tax Opinions, Trusts and Contracts. He comes from a strong litigation background.

What is Natasha's background?

Natasha comes from a commercial-, tax- and insurance-litigation background. After having completed her articles of clerkship, she was admitted as an attorney of the High Court in 2013. She has an affinity for VAT and tax dispute resolution and has provided a number of high-profile clients with assistance.

What is tax law in South Africa?

Tax Law Definition. In South Africa, taxes are imposed by the national government. Taxes take the form of income tax, employees’ tax imposed on employers in respect of remuneration paid to employees, and value-added tax imposed on registered vendors selling goods and rendering services.

What is the role of a tax lawyer?

A tax lawyer’s role is to advise both individuals and businesses regarding complex tax legislation and apply it to their circumstances. Tax lawyers render advisory and dispute management services to a range of clients.

What is tax attorney?

Some tax attorneys work in the area of estate planning, in which they counsel clients on how to structure wills and trusts for maximum tax benefits. Law school teaches students to think like lawyers, synthesize complicated laws, and express themselves effectively orally and in writing.

What do tax lawyers do?

Tax lawyers must have familiarity with tax laws to properly advise clients on how to take advantage of tax credits, communicate on behalf of clients with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and practice in tax court.

What is the National Association of Tax Professionals?

National Association of Tax Professionals. New and experienced tax professionals, including attorneys, join this association for guidance on federal tax code updates, networking opportunities, education courses, an online tax library, and advocacy. National Society of Tax Professionals.

How long does it take to become a lawyer?

The number of required credits varies by jurisdiction, but it usually takes 2-3 years to earn the required credits. State and local bar associations often offer CLEs for free or reduced rates.

Do tax attorneys need to be admitted to the bar?

Practicing attorneys , including tax attorneys, must gain admission to their state bar. A JD from an ABA-accredited law school and a passing score on their state’s bar exam constitute the minimum licensing requirements. State bar associations conduct extensive background checks on candidates for bar membership to determine their moral character and fitness to practice law. Attorneys approved for membership attend a swearing-in ceremony and receive their credentials, after which they can begin practicing law.

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