Senior Tax Associate

SUMMARY:
-

POSITION INFO:

Purpose of the Role:
This role is for supporting the Director of the firm in rendering Tax Advisory and dispute resolution to Taxpayers. This role involves advising on tax implications of business activities or transactions from a perspective of applicable Tax Acts and structuring for various requirements of clients. Additionally the role involves representing Taxpayers in challenging assessments/decisions of Tax Authorities through internal forums, Tax Court (up to Constitutional Court where required) and Tax Board.

Responsibilities are but not limited to :
• Consultations with Taxpayers and identifying tax issues / problems.
• Independently designing / formulating effective solutions and implementing same.
• Conducting legal research and drafting memorandums / tax opinions / Tax structures and or presentations.
• Drafting and compiling detailed briefs to Advocates or Academics required to comment on tax questions.
• Reading and interpretation of financial statements and or accounting records of businesses and engaging with accountants to solve for taxpayers.
• Reading and interpreting assessments / any documents imposing tax issued by SARS and formulating appropriate response to it and advising the Taxpayer.
• Tax research and drafting including submission of dispute resolution documents which are but not limited to disagreement with audit findings, objections, appeals, attending ADRs, preparing for trial, appearing in the Tax Court with Counsel, attending meetings at SARS.
• Advising on all aspects of Tax Acts being but not limited to Income Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, Customs and Excise, Tax Administration Act, Securities Transfer Tax Act and its Admin Act, Transfer Duty, Estate Duty, Mineral Resources Royalties Act.
• Tax due diligence and drafting tax due diligence report.
• Designing tax efficient corporate structures and rendering advice on how to save tax.

Attributes:
• Exceptional ability to diagnose problems and design solutions for such problems within the tax law framework.
• Tax Risk identification and mitigation.
• Strong commercial / business acumen.
• Creative and positive mindset with strong attributes of lateral thinking. • In-depth
understanding of tax law, regulations, and the updated changes in legislation.
• Strong critical analysis skills to handle complex legal and tax issues. • Strong negotiation skills and ability to handle and resolve complex negotiations. • Self-confidence and independent thinking abilities.
• Developed and stable mental and emotional strength to handle cases involving substantial tax debts and complex tax disputes / transactions.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to serve Taxpayers.
• Own initiator with ability to guard interest of client and suggest solutions where risk is identified.
• Strong organizational skills Requirements:
• LLB Degree
• Must be an Admitted Attorney
• 3.5 to 5 Years of proven experience within Tax Advisory and Dispute Resolution in a legal practice/ firm.
• Post grad qualification in Tax Law will be advantageous.