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South African Budget 2017 - International tax and exchange control
Global | Publication | Feb 22, 2017
International tax
Changes to the tax treatment of domestic treasury management companies
Domestic treasury companies are generally not subject to tax in respect of foreign currency gains and losses. However, the qualifying criteria for domestic treasury management companies are viewed as overly restrictive and will be reviewed.
Tax implications of acquisition of foreign intellectual property by South African multinationals
Relaxation of the rules regarding the payment of licence fees or royalties for so-called “tainted intellectual property” will be considered. It is proposed that the rules should be relaxed so that they do not affect legitimate commercial transactions or discourage the use of South African based group infrastructure to develop offshore intellectual property.
Tax implications of controlled foreign companies and offshore foreign trusts
Amendments to the controlled foreign company rules are proposed which will extend the application of these rules to foreign companies held by interposed trusts which have South African beneficiaries. This rule could have a significant impact on a number of offshore structures.
Exchange control
Inward listings review
Parties interested in new inward listings and transactions involving loop structures and trusts which relate to such listings will have to consult with National Treasury. The intention is to discourage inversion transactions in terms of which legal domicile may be moved to a different jurisdiction despite the entity retaining significant South African assets.
Intellectual property
Government proposed removing restrictions on foreign exchange transactions involving intellectual property. It is also proposed that the restriction on loop structures be lifted in relation to transactions involving intellectual property, if they are entered into on an arm’s length basis and at fair market-related prices.
Exchange traded funds referencing foreign assets
Government has proposed that local collective investment scheme management companies should be allowed to list exchange traded funds which hold foreign referenced assets on South African exchanges. These funds will not be subject to macro-prudential limits on the amounts that may be invested offshore. However, South African institutional investors and authorised dealers will have to treat investments in these funds as foreign assets which are subject to their portfolio allowances.
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