Assistant Tax Manager

About the role

The Assistant Tax Manager supports the Tax Manager by owning day-to-day tax compliance across individual, company and trust clients, reviewing the work of the tax team and managing SARS engagement. The aim is to free the Tax Manager to focus on advisory work, complex matters and client growth.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and review income tax returns for individuals (ITR12), companies (ITR14) and trusts (ITR12T), including provisional tax (IRP6)
• Prepare and review VAT returns (VAT201) and VAT reconciliations
• Oversee payroll tax compliance: PAYE, UIF and SDL (EMP201), bi-annual EMP501 reconciliations, IRP5/IT3(a) certificates and tax directives
• Perform first-level technical review of work prepared by tax staff before it goes to the Tax Manager for sign-off
• Monitor and manage compliance deadlines across the client portfolio
• Manage SARS correspondence, queries and requests for supporting documents
• Prepare and manage objections, appeals (NOO/NOA), suspension-of-payment requests and SARS complaints
• Assist with SARS verifications and audits, including compiling supporting schedules
• Manage tax clearance / Tax Compliance Status (TCS) applications and SARS profile maintenance
• Supervise, allocate work to and develop junior tax staff, review work quality, give feedback and support training
• Escalate technical and risk matters to the Tax Manager appropriately
• Communicate tax positions and SARS outcomes to clients clearly and support the Tax Manager on advisory and planning matters

Required profile

• Degree or diploma in Accounting, Taxation or a related field (postgraduate tax qualification advantageous)
• Registered tax practitioner with a recognised controlling body (SAIT, SAIPA, SAICA or equivalent)
• 8-10+ years of hands-on South African tax experience covering individual, company, trust, VAT and payroll taxes
• Proven experience handling SARS queries, verifications, audits, objections and appeals
• 1-2 years of experience supervising or reviewing the work of others
• Bilingual fluency in Afrikaans and English is essential

Required skills

• Advanced SARS eFiling proficiency; working knowledge of tax software such as CCH, SARS e@syFile or Sage
• Strong working knowledge of the Income Tax Act, VAT Act and Tax Administration Act
• Technical accuracy, attention to detail, deadline management and reviewer mindset
• Clear written communication with SARS and clients, and ability to coach and direct junior staff