Do I need to declare my foreign salary earned in Abu Dhabi, UAE, when I submit my 2015 ITR12 return?
By Evan Robinson · Updated
I am exclusively resident in the United Arab Emirates and work for an Abu Dhabi based company. In accordance to Section 10(1)(0)(ii) of the Income Tax Act of 1962, I was outside South Africa for a period exceeding 183 full days in aggregate, as well as more than 60 continuous days during the 2014/2015 tax year. I hold a UAE Residence Visa, a Ministry of Labour employment contract as well as a UAE Labour Card which serves as proof that I am a bone fide UAE worker. I annually submit an ITR12 return to SARS declaring my RSA rental and investment income. With reference to RSA legislation, am I obliged to declare my UAE based foreign salary when I submit my 2014/2015 ITR12 tax return?
How long have you been living and working outside of SA?
6 years, since November 2009.
No you would not need to include this income in your return - technically it would be correct to do so, but SARS has in practice not considered this necessary.