Current as of May 2024 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework governing of nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in South Africa, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor undertaking an equivalency determination of a foreign grantee under IRS Revenue Procedure 92-94.
These reports have been prepared by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL). Please direct corrections and comments to Lily Liu.
We include hyperlinks to the following information, to the extent available:
- Longer country reports analyzing various aspects of local legislation; and
- Texts of local laws that affect the decision whether or not to qualify a grantee (generally in translation, although ICNL and the Council cannot warrant the accuracy of any translation; in addition, legislative excerpts were selected by in-country contacts, and ICNL and the Council cannot warrant that all relevant provisions have been translated).
Table of Contents
- Summary
- Types of Organisations
- Tax Laws
- Applicable Laws
- Relevant Legal Forms
- Public Benefit Status
- Specific Questions Regarding Local Law
- Inurement
- Proprietary Interest
- Dissolution
- Activities
- Political Activities
- Racial Discrimination
- Control of Organisation
- Tax Laws
- Tax Exemptions
- Deductibility of Donations
- Value Added Tax
- Double Taxation Treaty
- Foreign Entities
- Tax Benefits Specific to the COVID-19 Pandemic
I. Summary
A. Types of Organisations
The legal framework for not-for-profit, non-governmental organisations ("NPOs") in South Africa consists of four primary tiers.
The first tier (establishment) allows for the establishment under statutory and common law of the following three forms of NPOs:
- Voluntary associations, established under common law;
- Non-profit trusts, registered under statutory law; and
- Non-profit companies incorporated for a public benefit objective or an objective relating to one or more cultural or social activities, or communal or group interests, established under statutory law. [1]
The second tier of legislation (compulsory registration for some organizations) allows any of these organisational forms to apply for the status of a “registered non-profit organisation.” Among other requirements, registered non-profit organisations cannot distribute profits, and must meet certain governance criteria.
The third legislative tier (partial tax exemption) enables an NPO to apply for a partial tax exemption, most frequently by applying for the status of “public benefit organisation” (PBO). Among other requirements, the organisation’s sole purpose must be to undertake one or more public benefit activities, carried out in a not-for-profit manner and with an altruistic or philanthropic intent. PBOs may not use their resources to directly or indirectly support, advance, or oppose any political party, but are not restricted from lobbying. They are entitled to a broad range of fiscal benefits, including a partial income tax exemption, an exemption on donations tax, and, for some, an exemption on transfer duty on immovable property. [2]
Finally, the fourth legislative tier (donor deductibility status) allows eligible public benefit organisations to apply for the right to receive tax-deductible donations.
Other not-for-profit legal forms, which are outside the scope of this Note due to their limited interaction with U.S. grantmakers, include trade unions, employers' organisations, political parties, and friendly societies established for the benefit of their members.
B. Tax Laws
The Income Tax Act provides two major benefits to non-profit organisations operating for the public benefit, namely: partial tax exemption for organisations that qualify as PBOs, and donor deductibility for contributions to those PBOs that carry out certain specified public benefit activities (“Public Benefit Organisations with Donor-Deductible Status”). PBOs may also access benefits related to donations tax, estate duty, transfer duty, and the skills development levy. Finally, certain organisations are eligible for Value Added Tax preferences.
South Africa and the United States have entered into a double taxation treaty.
II. Applicable Laws
Other Materials Consulted
III. Relevant Legal Forms
Voluntary Associations
The voluntary association is the most common legal form of NPO in South Africa. No office of registry exists for voluntary associations. Forming a voluntary association requires only that three or more people agree to achieve a common objective that is primarily not-for-profit. The agreement may be oral or written, although it is customary for the agreement to take the form of a written constitution. Voluntary associations are a product of the common law and are not regulated by statute. This can be confusing because the common law is not easily accessible. Voluntary associations may be classified as follows:
- Corporate bodies under the common law, known as "universitas"; or
- Bodies that remain unincorporated at common law, known as "non-corporate associations."
When deciding how to classify a voluntary association, a court will consider the organisation's constitution as well as its nature, objectives, and activities. An organisation generally must meet three requirements to qualify as a universitas:
- It must be structured to continue as an entity notwithstanding a change in membership;
- It must be able to hold property distinct from its members; and
- No member can have any rights, based on membership, to the property of the association.
If all of these requirements are met, a court will recognize an organisation to be a universitas with legal personality.
Non-profit Trusts
Trusts in South Africa are governed under the Trust Property Control Act and common law. A trust can be established for private benefit or for a charitable purpose. To determine whether a trust qualifies as a charitable trust under South African law, a grantmaker must look to the trust deed.
A trust is created when property is transferred by a trust deed. The trust then manages the property for the benefit of others or for the achievement of a particular goal. The property can be transferred by written agreement, testamentary writing, or court order. The person who administers the trust property is called a trustee (TPCA Section 1). A court official, called a Master of the High Court, has jurisdiction over a trust if the majority of the trust property is situated in his or her jurisdiction (TPCA Section 3). The Master holds the trust instruments, oversees the appointment of trustees, and polices the trustees' performance with respect to the trust property (TPCA Sections 4, 6-7, 16-20).
A trust does not have separate legal personality, but trustees still enjoy limited liability. All rights and responsibilities vest collectively in the trustees in their capacity as trustees.
Non-profit Companies
The South African Companies Act of 2008 provides for the incorporation of a non-profit company, which is recognized as a separate category of company. The non-profit company can be established with or without members, but it must have at least three directors (Companies Act Section 3(1)). The non-profit company is incorporated with the Companies Commission; it can be incorporated for a public benefit objective, or an objective relating to one or more cultural or social activities or communal or group interests (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 1). The non-profit company is subject to the non-distribution constraint requirement. Non-profit companies have legal personality and therefore offer limited liability to their members and directors. They can enter into contracts and sue and be sued in their own name.
The Companies Act of 2008 does not provide for the registration of branches of foreign not-for-profits as separate legal entities. A foreign company carrying on not-for-profit activities in South Africa, as specified, for six months or more must register as an “external non-profit company” with the Companies Commission (Companies Act Section 23). A separate legal entity is not incorporated when a foreign company registers as an external company. The external non-profit company must maintain at least one office in South Africa (Companies Act Section 23). Registration as an external non-profit company is required for the foreign company to enter into employment contracts.
IV. Public Benefit Status
Registered Non-profit Organisation
Prior to 2023, registration under the NPO Act was completely voluntary, but was often required to access funding from government departments and some corporate donors. As of 2023, an organisation must register as an NPO if it (1) makes donations to individuals or organisations outside of South Africa or (2) provides humanitarian, charitable, religious, educational or cultural services outside South Africa (General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act, 2022 (the 2022 Amendment Act).
To be eligible to register as an NPO, an organisation must meet all the following criteria:
- It is a trust, company, or other association of persons established for a “public purpose” (a term that is not further defined) (NPO Act Section 1(1)(x)(a));
- It does not distribute income or property to members or officers except for "reasonable compensation for services rendered" (NPO Act Section 1(1)(x)(b));
- It is not "an organ of state" (NPO Act Section 12(1)); and
- It includes certain internal governance provisions in its founding document (NPO Act Section 12(2)).
An organisation seeking registered non-profit organisation status under the NPO Act must apply to the Directorate for Non-Profit Organisations, which falls under the auspices of the Department of Social Development. If the organisation qualifies, the Directorate issues a certificate and registration number. To retain this status, the organisation must submit narrative and financial reports to the Directorate annually.
As of May 2024, according to the website of the Directorate for Non-Profit Organisations, there are 289,184 registered organisations. [3]
Approved Public Benefit Organisation
To qualify as a public benefit organisation (PBO), an organisation must comply with all of the following requirements of Section 30 of the Income Tax Act:
- It must be a non-profit company formed and incorporated under the Companies Act, a trust established in South Africa and registered with the Master of the High Court whose founding document is a trust deed, a voluntary association, or “any agency or branch within the Republic of any company, association, or trust incorporated, formed, or established in terms of the laws of any country other than the Republic that is exempt from tax on income in that other country” (i.e., the definition of PBO under Income Tax Act Section 30(1)).
- Its sole or principal objective must be to carry out one or more public benefit activities as listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Act; it cannot pursue any other principal objectives.
- The activities must be carried out in a non-profit manner and with altruistic or philanthropic intent. No activity can promote the economic self-interest of any fiduciary or employee, other than reasonable remuneration to employees or officers.
- Each of the organisation's activities must be for the benefit of, or widely accessible to, the general public at large, including any sector thereof (other than small and exclusive groups).
Public benefit organisations without donor-deductible status may carry out public benefit activities beyond the borders of South Africa. PBOs with donor deductible status must ensure that donor-deductible contributions are only used for the public benefit activities carried on in South Africa. The qualifying public benefit activities for partial tax exemption appear in Part I of the Ninth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, and those for donor deductible status appear in Part II. The Minister of Finance may, however, determine additional activities from time to time. At present, more than 60 activities are listed under Part I and about 40 listed under Part II (Income Tax Act Schedule Nine Sections 1-11). They fall under the following categories:
- Welfare and Humanitarian;
- Health Care;
- Land and Housing;
- Education and Development;
- Religion, Belief or Philosophy;
- Cultural;
- Conservation, Environment and Animal Welfare;
- Research and Consumer Rights;
- Sport;
- Providing of Funds, Assets or Other Resources; and
- General.
The South African Revenue Service has approved 59,567 organizations as public benefit organizations (PBOs).
V. Specific Questions Regarding Local Law
A. Inurement
Voluntary Associations
Specific prohibitions against private inurement would be included in a voluntary association's founding documents. In general, governing board members of voluntary associations are bound by the common law fiduciary duty to act in good faith and avoid conflicts of interest in their dealings with the organisation.
Trusts
A trustee’s remuneration may be regulated by the instrument establishing the trust. If the instrument is silent on the issue, the Trust Property Control Act allows for trustees to receive reasonable remuneration when executing their official duties (TPCA Section 22). In the event of a dispute, the Master (a court official appointed under Section 2 of the Administration of Estates Act) will set the amount. An auditor or accounting officer of the trust's accounts must report any apparent material irregularities in the accounts to the trustee (TPCA Section 15). The Trust Property Control Act requires trustees to “act with the care, diligence and skill which can reasonably be expected of a person who manages the affairs of another” (TPCA Section 9(1)). A trustee's improper accounting in administering the trust violates this fiduciary duty and constitutes grounds for removal (TPCA Section 20(2)(e)).
Non-Profit Companies
Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the Companies Act prohibits a non-profit company from directly or indirectly paying any portion of its income or transferring any of its assets, regardless of how the income or asset was derived, to any incorporator, director or member of the company. This prohibition has the following exceptions: reasonable remuneration for goods delivered or services rendered; reimbursement for expenses incurred to advance the company’s objectives; payment payable in terms of a bona fide agreement; payment in respect of any rights of that person to advance a stated objective of the company; and payment in respect of any legal obligation binding the company. [4]
Registered Non-Profit Organisations
In order to register under the NPO Act, a non-profit organisation must state in its founding document (or the legislation under which it has been established must specify) that its income and property are not distributable to its members, officers, or trustees, except as reasonable compensation for services rendered (NPO Act/1997 Section 12(2)(c)).
Approved Public Benefit Organisations
To obtain approval from the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service as a PBO under Section 30 of the Income Tax Act, an organisation cannot conduct any activity intended directly or indirectly to promote the economic self-interest of any fiduciary or employee of the organisation, other than through reasonable remuneration. In addition, the organisation must not distribute any of its funds to any person, other than in the course of undertaking a public benefit activity; and it must use its funds solely for the objective for which it has been established (Income Tax Act Section (30)(3)(b)(ii)).
B. Proprietary Interest
Voluntary Associations
If a voluntary association prohibits its members, governing board members, or employees from having a proprietary interest in the organisation's assets, the prohibition will appear in the organisation's founding documents.
Trusts
The Trust Property Control Act provides that trust property may not form part of the personal estate of a trustee, unless the trustee is also a beneficiary entitled to the property under the trust instrument (TPCA Section 12). The trust documents identify the beneficiaries of the trust.
Non-Profit Companies
A non-profit company must apply all of its assets and income to advance its stated objectives as set forth in its Memorandum of Incorporation (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 2). A non-profit company must, upon winding-up or dissolution, distribute the entire net value of the company to one or more non-profit companies, “registered external non-profit companies” carrying on activities in South Africa, non-profit trusts, or voluntary associations having objectives similar to its main objective. No past or present member or director is entitled to any part of the net value of the company after its obligations and liabilities have been satisfied (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 4).
Registered Non-Profit Organisations
The founding document of a non-profit organisation registered under the NPO Act must provide that the members or office-bearers have no rights to the assets of the organisation solely by virtue of being members or office-bearers (NPO Act/1997 Section 12(2)(f)).
Approved Public Benefit Organisations
To qualify as a PBO under Section 30 of the Income Tax Act, an organisation cannot accept any donation that is revocable at the donor’s request. Moreover, the donor may not impose conditions that could enable the donor or any person related to the donor to benefit, directly or indirectly, from the application of such donation (Income Tax Act Section (30)(3)(b)(v)). In addition, the organisation must apply its funds solely to the objectives for which it was formed (Income Tax Act Section (30)(3)(b)(ii)).
C. Dissolution
Voluntary Associations
A universitas or an informal voluntary association may include provisions governing the transfer of assets upon dissolution in its founding documents.
Trusts
In limited situations, the trustee, or a person the court finds to have a sufficient interest in the trust property, can petition the court to alter trust provisions or to terminate the trust altogether. These situations include: where the terms of the trust hamper the achievement of the founder’s objective, prejudice the interests of trust beneficiaries, or are against the public interest (TPCA Section 13). No provision in the Trust Property Control Act explicitly addresses the treatment of assets upon termination of a trust. The trust deed, however, must address the issue if the trust is a registered non-profit organisation or an approved PBO.
Non-Profit Companies
As stated earlier, a non-profit company must, upon winding-up or dissolution, distribute the entire net value of the company to one or more non-profit companies, “external non-profit companies” carrying on activities in South Africa, non-profit trusts, or voluntary associations having objectives similar to its main objective. The transferee(s) can be identified in the non-profit company’s Memorandum of Incorporation, by its members, if any, its directors, or a court of law if the members or directors fail to make such a determination. No past or present member or director is entitled to any part of the net value of the company after its obligations and liabilities have been satisfied (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 4).
Registered Non-Profit Organisations
To register under the NPO Act, the organisation must stipulate in its founding document that any assets remaining upon dissolution or winding up will be transferred to another non-profit organisation with similar objectives (NPO Act/1997 Section 12(2)(o)). Failure to transfer the assets to such an organisation may result in a fine, imprisonment, or both for the person responsible (NPO Act/1997 Section 30).
Approved Public Benefit Organisations
In order to obtain approval from the Commissioner as a PBO under the Income Tax Act, Section 30, an organisation must provide in its founding document that any assets remaining upon dissolution or winding up must be transferred to: (1) a similar public benefit organisation approved under Section 30; (2) an institution, board, or body which is exempt from tax under the provisions of Section 10(1)(cA)(i) of the Income Tax Act which has as its principal objective any public benefit activity; or (3) a department of the state (Income Tax Act Section (30)(3)(b)(iii)). If these and other conditions are not contained in the organisation’s founding document, three fiduciaries of the organisation must sign a written undertaking confirming that the organisation will comply with the relevant provisions of Section 30 of the Income Tax Act (Income Tax Act Section (30)(4)). As a matter of practice, approved PBOs are required to amend their founding documents to include the required conditions.
D. Activities
1. General
Voluntary Associations
A voluntary association can engage in any lawful activities in pursuit of a legitimate objective, if those activities are not for gain and are in line with its founding document.
Trusts
Trustees can engage in any lawful activities if they remain within the bounds of their fiduciary duty to the trust beneficiaries and within the confines of the trust deed.
Non-Profit Companies
Non-profit companies can carry on activities aimed at promoting the public benefit or relating to one or more cultural or social activities, or communal or group interests (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 1).
Registered Non-Profit Organisations
The NPO Act does not address permissible activities. Because a registered non-profit organisation will ordinarily be a trust or a non-profit company, the laws governing those legal forms and the Tax Laws provide guidance on permissible activities. A voluntary association's founding documents will specify its activities.
Approved Public Benefit Organisations
The Tax Act defines public benefit activity by listing over 60 permissible activities (see Section IV on Public Benefit Status for further discussion).
2. Economic Activities
Voluntary Associations
An association can conduct subsidiary activities to make some profits, as long as its main objective is not the acquisition of gain.
Trusts
Trusts are generally flexible structures that can be used for a variety of purposes. The Trust Property Control Act allows for the trust instrument to designate the objective or beneficiaries, but it does not specify limitations to such objectives or beneficiaries (TPCA Section 1). If a trust has a charitable primary purpose, the fact that it has a non-charitable subsidiary purpose will not invalidate it.
Non-Profit Companies
Non-profit companies may carry on any business, trade, or undertaking consistent with or ancillary to its stated objectives, i.e., the promotion of the public benefit or one or more cultural or social activities, or communal or group interests (Companies Act Schedule 1 para 2(a)).
Approved Public Benefit Organisations
The law explicitly limits the extent to which the economic activities of organisations approved as a PBO under Section 10(1)(cN) of the Income Tax Act will be tax exempt. The receipts and accruals from such undertakings or activities shall be exempt from normal tax only if one of the following criteria applies:
A) The undertaking or activity meets all of the following requirements:
- It is integral and directly related to the sole objective of the public benefit organisation;
- Substantially the whole of its revenues are directed toward the recovery of its costs; and
- It does not result in unfair competition in relation to taxable entities.
B) The undertaking or activity is of an occasional nature and substantially performed by uncompensated volunteers.
C) The undertaking or activity is approved by the Minister of Finance by notice in the Gazette, taking into account the following factors:
- The scope and benevolent nature of the undertaking or activity;
- The direct connection between the undertaking or activity and the sole purpose of the public benefit organisation;
- The profitability of the undertaking or activity; and
- The economic distortion that may result from allowing a tax-exempt organisation to carry out the undertaking or activity.
D) The undertaking or activity does not qualify under any of the above criteria, and the revenues it generates do not exceed the greater of the following:
- 5 percent of the public benefit organisation's total receipts and accruals during the relevant year of assessment; or
- 200,000 South African Rand (Income Tax Act §10(1)(cN), as amended).
PBOs are allowed to invest their funds, subject only to restrictions that may exist in the common law.
E. Political Activities
The Income Tax Act restricts PBOs from using their resources to directly or indirectly support, advance, or oppose any political party (Income Tax Act Section 30(3)(h)). South African law does not restrict the political activities of organisations that are not approved as PBOs, however. Moreover, the law does not clearly restrict lobbying by any organisations.
F. Racial Discrimination
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1997) provides that neither the State nor any person may unfairly discriminate against anyone on the basis of race (among other grounds) (Constitution Sections 9(3) and (4)). Section 29 of the Constitution establishes an individual’s right to receive a basic education and to further his/her education (Constitution Section 29(1)). The right to receive a public education in the language of one’s choice, where reasonably practicable, is also guaranteed (Constitution Section 29(2)). The Constitution further provides that everyone has the right to establish and maintain independent educational institutions, so long as those institutions do not discriminate on the basis of race (Constitution Section 29(3)(a)).
The Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination, Act No. 4 of 2000 provides that no person may unfairly discriminate against any person on the ground of race, including a number of activities defined thereunder, such as the engagement in any activity which is intended to promote, or has the effect of promoting exclusivity based upon race. The Act also provides an illustrative list of unfair practices in certain sectors. With reference to clubs, sports, and associations, it provides that refusing to consider a person’s application for membership of the association or club on any of the prohibited grounds, including race, constitutes an unfair practice.
G. Control of Organisation
South African law does not restrict individuals or legal entities from serving as members, promoters, or trustees of NPOs. Foreign individuals can also serve as directors of local companies, but legal persons cannot serve as directors of a non-profit company. It is, subject to this limitation, possible for a South African NPO to be controlled by an American grantor charity. It has, however, become increasingly difficult for new NPOs with foreign trustees, directors, or governing board members to open a bank account in South Africa, due to the requirements implemented pursuant to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. [5]
VI. Tax Laws
A. TAX EXEMPTIONS
To be eligible for exemption from income tax and certain other taxes, an organisation operating for the public benefit first must qualify as a Public Benefit Organisation under Section 30 of the Income Tax Act, as summarized in Section IV. Eligibility for tax exemption further requires the PBO to satisfy additional conditions on its governance and operations. For example, the organisation’s founding document must provide that at least three unrelated persons have fiduciary responsibility for the organisation, and that no single person can directly or indirectly control the decisions relating to the organisation (Income Tax Act Section 30(3)(b)(i)). In addition, the law limits the extent to which the business activities of the organisation are tax exempt (see Section V(D)(2) on Economic Activities) (Income Tax Act Section 10(1)(cN)). Upon the organisation’s termination, its assets must be transferred to a) a similar, approved PBO; b) an entity exempt from tax under Section 10(1)(cA)(i), which has as its sole or principal objective the carrying on of any public benefit activity; or c) the state (Income Tax Act Section 30(3)(b)(iii))). [6]
A PBO approved for exemption from income tax may also be exempted from other taxes, including: capital gains tax, donations tax, estate duty, transfer duty, and – in certain cases – the skills development levy if the property will be devoted to public benefit activities (Tax Exemption Guide for Public Benefit Organisations in South Africa, pages 35-46).
Other not-for-profit organisations (that are not approved PBOs or are not exempted from paying tax elsewhere under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act) are liable for income tax and other taxes and duties on the same basis as ordinary taxpayers.
A dividend tax was introduced by the Revenue Laws Amendment Act, No. 60 of 2008; it entered into force on April 1, 2012. According to the Act, approved PBOs are exempt from paying dividends tax when dividends (that do not consist of a dividend in specie) from for-profit companies are paid to PBOs.
B. Deductibility of Donations
An individual or company is entitled to deduct from taxable income a donation (in cash or in kind) to a PBO carrying out specified public benefit activities. These organisations are sometimes referred to as “Public Benefit Organisations with Donor-Deductible Status.” The donation must be supported by a receipt issued by the PBO and the donation cannot, for any given fiscal year, exceed 10 percent of the taxable income of the taxpayer in order to qualify for this deduction.
The public benefit activities approved by the Minister of Finance for purposes of Section 18A are set out in Part II of the Ninth Schedule of the Income Tax Act. A variety of activities are approved, and they fall under the following categories:
- Welfare and Humanitarian
- Health Care
- Education and Development
- Conservation, Environment and Animal Welfare
- Land and Housing (Income Tax Act Schedule Nine Sections 2(1)-2(5))
C. Value Added Tax
The Value Added Tax Act imposes a 15 percent tax on the value of goods or services supplied by a vendor, imported goods, or services provided by a resident supplier or one carrying out business outside of South Africa to a resident of South Africa who uses the services in South Africa (VAT Act Section 7(1)).
The VAT Act confers certain benefits on organisations that qualify as "associations not for gain," "welfare organisations," or both (VAT Act Section 1). Qualifying organisations can claim the VAT they incur as input tax and generally speaking must pay output tax only when they charge for goods or services.
An "association not for gain" is defined as a religious institution or other society, association, or organisation (including an educational institution of a public character), which is not established for profit and which is required to use any property or income solely to further its aims and objectives. An association not for gain is treated much like any other business if it makes taxable supplies, but the following special provisions apply:
- No output tax is payable on any "unconditional gifts" received, such as a club member's donation of money to cover the costs of new equipment for the club's soccer team.
- A VAT exemption applies to the sale of any donated goods or services, and to the sale of manufactured goods where donated goods and services constitute at least 80 percent of the value thereof.
- Certain subsidies and grants received from National or Provincial Governments (public authority) are zero-rated, meaning that the recipient can claim a credit from the South African Revenue Service for the VAT levied on those grants.
Some associations not for gain also qualify as "welfare organisations," which entitles them to the benefits listed above plus additional ones. To qualify as a "welfare organisation," an organisation must:
- Be an association not for gain;
- Be exempt from tax in terms of Section 10(1)(cN) of the Income Tax Act; and
- Carry on activities in the following categories:
- Welfare and humanitarian;
- Health care;
- Land and housing;
- Education and development; or
- Conservation, environment, and animal welfare.
Along with the benefits listed above for associations not for gain, a welfare organisation is eligible for the following additional benefits:
- Even where no charge is made for supplies, the organisation can register for VAT and obtain input tax relief on its purchases.
- A subsidy or grant received from the Government (or local authorities) related to welfare activities will be zero-rated, meaning that the recipient can claim a credit from the South African Revenue Service for the VAT raised on those grants. [9]
D. Double Taxation Treaty
South Africa has entered into double taxation treaties with a number of countries, including the United States.
E. Foreign Entities
As of 2006, a tax exemption is granted to branches of foreign legal entities operating in South Africa, on the condition that they qualify for tax exemption in the country in which they are established (Revenue Laws Amendment Act Section 24). Upon termination of operations in South Africa, they must transfer the assets of the South Africa branch to a local PBO, organ of state, or designated institution if more than 15 percent of the branch's receipts and accruals (earned during the three years preceding the termination) were derived from a source within the Republic (Income Tax Act Section 30(3)(b)(iiiA)).
Providing funding to foreign not-for-profit entities that are exempt in their countries of origin constitutes a public benefit activity.
The Revenue Laws Amendment Act, No. 60 of 2008 amended Section 18A of the Income Tax Act to allow donations made to certain specialized agencies operating in South Africa to be deductible. Such agencies include the International Labour Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and the International Monetary Fund.
The Taxation Laws Amendment Act, 2017 introduced additional changes pertaining to certain specialized agencies, as defined in the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act of 2001, that qualify for tax deductible donations. The specialized agencies must comply with the conditions contained in the Income Tax Act to access such benefits. New specialized agencies that were included are the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; the International Civil Aviation Organization; the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development; the United Nations Development Programme; the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; the United Nations Population Fund; the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; and the United Nations Environmental Programme.
Footnotes
[1] The Companies Act (No. 71 of 2008) changed the way in which non-profit companies are incorporated and regulated. The Companies Act establishes two categories of companies: 1) non-profit companies, and 2) profit companies. The Act lays out fundamental principles applicable to non-profit companies, and also clearly notes where its provisions do not apply to non-profit companies. Pre-existing non-profit companies incorporated under the old Companies Act of 1973 (known as Section 21 companies), are governed by the new Companies Act.
[2] For more details, see the Davis Tax Committee (DTC)’s Report on the Public Benefit Organisation and the Tax System from April 2018.
[3] In 2013, the Directorate for Non-Profit Organisations introduced an online registration and reporting facility. This has significantly reduced the processing times of applications to register in terms of the Non-Profit Organisations Act.
[4] Sections 66(8) and (9) of the Companies Act, dealing with the payment of remuneration to directors for their service as directors, do not apply to non-profit companies (Companies Act Section 10(2)(c)).
[5] The Financial Intelligence Centre Amendment Act, No. 1 of 2017 introduced a risk-based method to verify the identities and addresses of customers. The law came into effect on October 1, 2017. The Amendment Act is a law of general application, but requires board members of non-profit organisations to be verified with accounting institutions, especially banks. Failure to do so may result in bank accounts of non-profit organisations becoming inaccessible. The 2022 Amendment Act introduced amendments to the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, which requires accounting institutions such as banks to undertake additional verification measures.
[6] Sections 30 and 18A of the Income Tax Act were amended in 2012 to allow for the criminal prosecution of board members of any approved PBO who intentionally fail to comply with any provision of those sections or the organisation’s founding document. The 2022 Amendment Act resulted in further changes to the Income Tax Act that prohibits a disqualified person, as provided for under the Trust Property Control Act, the Nonprofit Organisations Act, and the Companies Act, from being appointed in a fiduciary capacity of an approved PBO.
[7] Certain activities carried out by a welfare organization may still be taxed at the standard VAT rate. On 25 April 2018, in Marshall vs. Commission for the South Africa Revenue Service, the South African Constitutional Court upheld a decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal determining whether the business activities of a non-profit public benefit trust constituted a “deemed supply” of services and thus qualified to be zero rated under section 8(5) and 11(2) of the VAT Act. The trust in question was a registered VAT vendor that provided aero-medical services to provincial health departments in South Africa. The trust concluded a contract with the provincial Government to provide, amongst other specialized intensive care, air ambulance services and training and support to health workers. Payment for the services were made in terms of an agreed rate. The Constitutional Court found that the trust rendered “actual” rather than “deemed” services, and therefore that such services were subject to the standard rate of value added tax.
