Assistant Tax Manager

R30,000 - R35,000

About Job Role

• To support the Tax Manager by owning day-to-day tax compliance across individual, company and trust clients, reviewing the work of the tax team, and managing SARS engagement. The aim is to free the Tax Manager to focus on advisory work, complex matters and client growth.

Key Responsibilities
Tax compliance and review

• Prepare and review income tax returns for individuals (ITR12), companies (ITR14) and trusts (ITR12T), including provisional tax (IRP6)
• Prepare and review VAT returns (VAT201) and VAT reconciliations
• Oversee payroll tax compliance: PAYE, UIF and SDL (EMP201), bi-annual EMP501 reconciliations, IRP5/IT3(a) certificates and tax directives
• Perform first-level technical review of work prepared by tax staff before it goes to the Tax Manager for sign-off
• Monitor and manage compliance deadlines across the client portfolio

SARS engagement

• Manage all SARS correspondence, queries and requests for supporting documents
• Prepare and manage objections, appeals (NOO/NOA), suspension-of-payment requests and SARS complaints
• Assist with SARS verifications and audits, including compiling supporting schedules
• Manage tax clearance / Tax Compliance Status (TCS) applications and SARS profile maintenance

People and workflow management

• Supervise, allocate work to and develop junior tax staff
• Review work quality, give feedback and support training
• Escalate technical and risk matters to the Tax Manager appropriately

Client support

• Communicate tax positions and SARS outcomes to clients clearly
• Support the Tax Manager on advisory and planning matters as required

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications | Years of Experience

• Degree or diploma in Accounting, Taxation or a related field (postgraduate tax qualification advantageous)
• Registered tax practitioner with a recognised controlling body (SAIT, SAIPA, SAICA or equivalent)
• 8–10+ years’ hands-on South African tax experience covering individual, company, trust, VAT and payroll taxes
• Proven experience handling SARS queries, verifications, audits, objections and appeals
• 1–2 years’ experience supervising or reviewing the work of others
• Advanced SARS eFiling proficiency; working knowledge of tax software (insert, e.g. CCH / SARS e@syFile / Sage)
• Strong working knowledge of the Income Tax Act, VAT Act and Tax Administration Act
• Bilingual fluency in Afrikaans and English is essential for this role

Skills and Competencies

• Technical accuracy and attention to detail
• Deadline management 
• Reviewer mindset 
• Clear written communication with SARS and clients 
• Ability to coach and direct junior staff 
• Integrity and confidentiality