The impact of solvency assessment and management on the taxation of long-term insurers in South Africa : a comparative study

Abstract

A new revised prudential regulatory regime for insurers will be introduced in order to align the South African insurance industry with international standards. This regime, called Solvency Assessment and Management, is based on its European counterpart, which is known as Solvency II.

This study starts off by investigating and comparing Solvency II, to be implemented in the United Kingdom, with Solvency Assessment and Management, to be implemented in South Africa, identifying a number of similarities between the regimes. The taxation of long-term insurers in both jurisdictions is then investigated, but no similarities are identified.

The above prepares the ground for the main purpose of the study, which is to identify the impact of Solvency Assessment and Management on the taxation of long-term insurers in South Africa. This study identified the impact as effecting a change in the current basis used for the valuation of policyholder liabilities, which will cause a decrease in the value of liabilities, and consequently an increase in underwriting profit. The impact of this change is illustrated, and there are clear indications that there is a need to amend current income tax legislation or the directive used to determine the value of liabilities. Two options for amendments are identified but no changes to legislation are expected before 2015.