Immigration and Taxation

Helping clients move abroad? You could be exposing them—and your practice—to costly tax mistakes. Whether it’s emigration, tax migration, or just relocating for work, SARS is watching closely. This webinar shows you how to keep your clients (and yourself) out of trouble when they change their tax residence. We’ll break down what happens when clients change where they live—or where they’re taxed—and how you can use smart planning and Treaty rules to avoid double taxation and penalties.

3 CPD units 8 May 2025 1 presenter

What will set you apart

By completing this course you will gain the following competencies

How to spot the difference between immigration and change of tax residence (they’re not the same)
Where the real SARS traps lie—and how to avoid triggering exit taxes or audit flags
How to use tax Treaties when clients are tax-resident in more than one country
Practical steps to avoid double taxation and protect your clients’ cash
Real-world mistakes to avoid —the kind that cost clients (and accountants) big money

Event breakdown

Ordinary residence vs physical presence test
Immigration vs change in tax residence: what really matters
Treaty tie-breaker rules: when you’re tax-resident in two countries
Source-based vs worldwide income: how this changes everything
Common triggers for exit tax (and how to prepare)
Income-specific rules: salaries, pensions, business profits, investments
Planning ahead: what to do before the client moves
Avoiding double taxation legally and smartly
Top risks and pitfalls—and how to charge for helping clients dodge them

Category: TaxationType: CPD CourseCPD category: Tax

Description

Changing your tax residence can trigger huge tax consequences, including capital gains exit taxes, lost deductions, and messy double taxation. And fixing these mistakes later? It’s expensive and often impossible. This session helps tax practitioners and business advisors confidently guide clients through the tax side of immigration or relocation—whether for retirement, work, or lifestyle reasons. You’ll get clear tools to determine tax residence, apply Treaty rules, and flag risks early. This is not textbook theory. It’s practical insight you can bill for—and that protects your clients from disaster.

Presenters

Ettiene Retief — Ettiene is an experienced accountant, business advisor and tax practitioner with over 30 years of experience in taxation, accounting, corporate law and compliance. He runs a specialist tax and corporate advisory practice and has extensive experience engaging with SARS, National Treasury and professional bodies on tax policy and legislation. Ettiene is also a seasoned lecturer, author and speaker, regularly presenting on taxation and related technical topics.

You will earn a certificate

On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 3 CPD units in Tax.

Requirements

Laptop, desktop, or mobile device with internet access
Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Safari, or Firefox browser