Since 2001, taxpayers in South Africa have been liable for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on profits (capital gains) arising from the disposal of assets – at a hefty 18% for individuals. There is a less well-known specific exclusion to the CGT payable on the disposal of a small business or its active business assets that provides certain small business owners with welcome CGT relief that could be a substantial boost to your future plans. In this article, we provide a quick overview of the many conditions that apply before small business owners can claim this exclusion of up to R1.8 million; some examples to illustrate the substantial difference it can make to your future plans; as well as best advice for maximising this exclusion.

Building and maintaining an effective online presence should be at the heart of any business plan, and it may come as some surprise in 2021 that there are still a huge number of businesses with absolutely none. Owners cite the fact that they are “not in a digital industry” but they ignore the internet at their own peril. The truth is that an online presence is vital for boosting profitability in any business, even for brick-and-mortar stores that don't conduct e-commerce. Further, in a world where 250 000 websites are created every day, it's important that the website you do have stands out, delivers on your brand promises and can be quickly and easily found by anyone who is looking. Here are six tips to make sure that happens.