International expansion
Expanding your operations abroad is a big step. Although you will have experience of developing your business in your own country, you will experience new challenges in new countries.
Our experts can advise you on:
- the local business environment
- finance, grants and incentives available to you
- the location of your business
- the labour market
- taxation and business structures
- accounting and auditing requirements
- political and social customs
- and put you in touch with relevant third parties
Company formation and registration
We are able to assist with every aspect of company formation and set up in South Africa.
Several legal structures are available for running a business in South Africa. For instance, you could set up a South African company, often a subsidiary of your ultimate holding company, or establish a branch or representative office of the parent organisation.
Different options will suit individual circumstances and we can advise on all forms, including joint ventures and corporate structures if required. We can help you decide which structure is most suited to your needs and can then provide a ‘ready made’ company, or one tailored to your own requirements from incorporation.
We have a specialist company secretarial services division which will attend to all your registration formalities. In addition, our Illovo address is available for use as the registered office of your company.
After registration, this division can deal with all compliance aspects including maintenance of statutory records and the preparation and filing of annual returns and other documents.
Taxation
Your company will be liable to S.A. taxes if it is incorporated in S.A. or if it carries on a trade in S.A. through a branch or agency. We can advise you on your international group structure, including planning the repatriation of profits by the use of interest, dividends and royalties.
Similarly, your personal tax liability will depend on whether you are resident, ordinarily resident and/or domiciled in South Africa.
Early tax planning is essential before arrival in S.A. and during your residence here. Our tax experts have extensive experience in advising businesses and individuals on international tax issues.
VAT
All businesses over a certain turnover must register for the purposes of VAT. Our VAT team can arrange for your organisation’s registration.
Involvement in a new venture may provide opportunities for VAT savings if specialist advice is sought at the outset. Transactions can be organised to minimise VAT costs, and accounting systems implemented that maximise VAT cashflow.
VAT is a complex and frequently changing area of taxation and early professional advice is essential.
Other services for international businesses
We can advise you on the most appropriate records and systems for your company. Some of the services we offer include:
- Bookkeeping – from basic records to trial balance
- Management accounting – regular tailored reports for effective decision making
- Payroll – calculation, payment and compliance
- VAT – Calculation, payment and compliance
- Audit services – advice and assistance on statutory auditing.
