Tax Professional

The purpose of the qualification is to prepare a learner to: • Analyse, report and provide advice on taxation issues to tax entities. • Prepare and review tax returns. • Report on and handle tax disputes. • Formulate and interpret tax opinions. A qualified learner will be able to: • Register tax payers and finalise income tax, payroll tax and VAT returns. • Review or audit tax balances. • Mediate tax disputes. • Write tax opinions.

Research undertaken by Fasset in the Financial and Accounting Services Sector concluded that the tax professional is a new profession in development. Although it is closely linked with the other professions in the family of financial services professions - i.e. the accounting, management accounting and auditing professions - it has a distinct focus on taxation. At this stage these professionals are mainly sourced from the accounting and legal professions. However, a substantial number of professionals are also employed from the ranks of accounting, commerce and law graduates, who do not hold membership of a professional body. The research then indicated that there is a need for a learning path following on first degrees that leads into the tax profession. There is also a shortage of specialised tax professionals to serve the South African economy in various ways; viz. as: • Tax specialists in private practice. • Tax advisors in commerce and industry. • Tax auditors or investigators within the Revenue Service. The qualification serves as a learning pathway for learners who have already obtained a first qualification in accounting, taxation, law or any other relevant field of study into full professional status as tax professionals. The qualification will enhance the quality of tax services provided to the public by private practitioners and by the South African Revenue Service.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the integrated assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Prior learning must be acknowledged by a statement of results. RPL for entry requirements to access the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 6 qualification in accounting, taxation, law or any other relevant field of study.

• Register taxpayers, calculate tax liabilities and finalise income tax, payroll tax and VAT returns.
• Review or audit tax balances.
• Mediate tax disputes.
• Write tax opinions.
• Handle the administration of estates.