by VDT Attorneys | Dec 3, 2025 | AML, Anti-Money Laundering, Beneficial Ownership, Grey listing, SARS, Trust compliance, Trustee Duties, Trusts
With South Africa’s greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2023, compliance has evolved from being a peripheral consideration to a crucial element of fiduciary planning. Understanding how compliance obligations influence, and in many cases,...
by VDT Attorneys | Nov 24, 2025 | AML, Anti-Money Laundering, Backdated shares, Compliance, Financial Sector Conduct Authority
When share transfers are intentionally backdated, the true date of the transaction is manipulated. Several legislative provisions prohibit backdating shares.The Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 38 of 2001 (“FICA”), provides that accountable institutions are...
by VDT Attorneys | Sep 4, 2025 | AML, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-money Laundering Amendment Act, Estate Planning, Tax, Tax Advice, Wills and estates
Estate planning does not operate in a vacuum. It is shaped by tax policy, political pressures, and economic realities. Recent developments in South Africa illustrate how quickly the landscape can change. For example, although the government rejected new...
by VDT Attorneys | Jul 16, 2025 | AML, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-money Laundering Amendment Act, Capital Gains Tax, Heirs, Trusts
Before recent amendments, having a non-resident beneficiary in a South African trust did not have major implications for the trust. If you have a South African trust and wish to add a non-resident beneficiary, such as a child who has moved abroad and is now a tax...
by VDT Attorneys | Apr 10, 2025 | Accountable Institutions, AML, Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-money Laundering Amendment Act, Grey listing, Trust
The new developments include QR codes on all new Letters of Authority issued by the Master’s Office. While it may seem like a minor change, it is a big step forward in ensuring the authenticity and validity of all Letters of Authority. The QR code will allow banks,...
