Tax Happy Hour Gifts and Donations: VAT and Tax Treatment Explained

Gifts and donations often look simple — until SARS disagrees. This session explains how VAT and tax apply to gifts and donations so you can avoid costly mistakes.

1 CPD unit 12 February 2026 1 presenter

What will set you apart

By completing this course you will gain the following competencies

  • The difference between gifts and donations for tax purposes
  • How income tax treats gifts and donations
  • When donations tax may apply
  • How VAT applies to goods and services given away
  • Common errors made in practice
  • How to correctly account for and disclose gifts and donations
  • How to advise clients with confidence in this area

Event breakdown

  • Understanding gifts and donations in practice
  • Income tax treatment of gifts
  • Donations tax and when it applies
  • VAT implications of gifts and donations
  • Valuation of goods and services given away
  • Common compliance errors
  • Accounting and disclosure considerations
  • Advising clients on gifts and donations
  • Managing risk in practice
Category: TaxationType: CPD CourseCPD category: Tax

Description

Gifts and donations are often treated casually in business, but the tax and VAT implications can be significant if handled incorrectly. This session provides a practical explanation of how gifts and donations are treated for income tax, donations tax, and VAT purposes. Delegates will learn when tax is triggered, how values are determined, and where professionals commonly go wrong. The session focuses on practical application rather than technical wording, helping professionals identify risk areas and apply the correct treatment. Designed for accountants and tax practitioners, this session equips delegates to confidently advise clients, ensure correct accounting treatment, and avoid unpleasant surprises during audits or reviews.

Presenters

Johan Heydenrych

Johan Heydenrych — Johan Heydenrych is a Chartered Accountant and tax specialist with more than 30 years of experience in taxation. He was a Tax Partner at KPMG from 1997 to 2020 and is currently a Partner in the Kreston SA network. Johan holds an MCom in Taxation (Cum Laude) and advises clients across a wide range of industries on tax governance, compliance, disputes, technical tax matters, restructurings, mergers and acquisitions.

You will earn a certificate

On successful completion you will receive a certificate for 1 CPD unit in Tax.

Requirements

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