Treasury Withdraws Foreign Pension Amendment

South Africa’s deletion of the proposed foreign pension exemption has been officially withdrawn.

In this episode of Two Guys Talking Tax, Delano Abdoll (Legal Manager: Cross-Border Taxation) and John-Paul Fraser (Team Lead: Cross-Border Taxation) break down what happened in Parliament, why the proposal sparked a strong public reaction, and what the outcome means for expatriates, retirees, and foreign nationals considering South Africa as a retirement destination.

This episode unpacks the real-world impact the change would have had on expats and foreign retirees, along with feedback received from key stakeholders. The discussion also covers the Davis Tax Committee’s stance and the risks of introducing tax amendments on short notice. Finally, they look at Treasury’s decision to withdraw the proposal and what taxpayers can expect next.

Watch now, and if you need help with your foreign pension or tax position, visit us and get assistance here: https://bit.ly/3X1ihjp 

#ForeignPensionExemption #SouthAfricaTax #Expats

What You Will Learn:  

00:00 – Why the foreign pension exemption matters for expats and retirees
00:28 – The real tax impact and risks of deleting the exemption
01:02 – Stakeholder concerns, emigration risks & investment implications
01:59 – Public commentary and TCSA’s engagement with Treasury
03:23 – Why tax exemptions influence South Africa’s attractiveness
04:05 – The policy process: consultation, economic impact & global comparisons
07:29 – Practical consequences for high-net-worth individuals and capital inflows
10:36 – Treasury’s reasoning, the Davis Tax Committee’s findings & research gaps
13:34 – Final outcome: amendment withdrawn & what taxpayers should expect next