Trusts are used on a worldwide basis in various financial structures. The residents of both
South Africa and Israel also use trusts extensively. The taxation of trusts has developed
over the years in South Africa, but the Israeli government only addressed specific tax
legislation pertaining to trusts with effect from 2006. No information could be found
indicating that any comparative study has been made between these two countries
regarding their tax legislation pertaining to trusts.
The aim of this study is to do a comparison of the tax legislation pertaining to trusts by
these two countries with a view to identify similarities and differences. The study found
that the tax legislation pertaining to trusts of the two countries are very similar. An
important difference identified, however, was the fact that the Israeli tax legislation
contains some incentives for former Israeli residents returning to Israel and foreigners who
become Israeli residents. In terms of these incentives exemption from taxation is enjoyed
for periods of five and ten years. This affords the entrants the opportunity to settle
properly before they become fully taxable as Israeli residents.
Trusts word wêreldwyd gebruik in finansiële strukture. Die inwoners van Suid Afrika en
Israel gebruik trusts ook baie algemeen. Alhoewel die belasting van trusts in Suid Afrika
oor verloop van tyd ontwikkel het, het die owerhede van Israel eers sedert 2006 spesifiek
die belasting van trusts in die belastingwetgewing aangespreek. Geen inligting kon verkry
word oor enige vergelykende studie tussen die belastingwetgewing van die twee lande wat
handel oor trusts nie.
Hierdie studie het ten doel om ‘n vergelyking te tref van die belastingwetgewing van trusts
tussen die twee lande met die oog daarop om ooreenstemmings en verskille te
identifiseer. Die studie het bevind dat die twee lande se wetgewing grootliks ooreenstem.
‘n Belangrike verskil wat geïdentifiseer is, is die feit dat Israel se belastingwetgewing
sekere aansporings bevat waardeur Israelis wat terugkeer na Israel en buitelanders wat
inwoners van Israel word vir periodes van vyf en tien jaar nie in Israel op sekere inkomste
belas word nie. Op daardie wyse word die nuwelinge kans gegee om hulself behoorlik in
te burger voordat hulle ten volle belasbaar word as inwoners van Israel.
