Job Description

Job Title: Specialist: Interpretative Tax Policy (CIT, PIT, VAT, Tax Administration)Position Reports to: Business Area LeadsDivision: Taxpayer EngagementLocation: PretoriaAdvert Closing Date: 28 February 2025About the PositionSARS is making an exciting opportunity available for a highly skilled, experienced and results driven Specialist: Interpretative Tax Policy with sound judgement, strong business acumen and who ideally displays an ability to operate under limited supervision. The specialist is expected to contribute towards our higher purpose and service orientation by interpreting and applying tax law in regard to Interpretative Tax Policy. Finally, s/he will function within a team of like-minded individuals focussing on selected projects intended to not only assist in reducing the tax gap but also in supporting governments tax compliance strategy.Job PurposeTo perform specialised projects identified within the division based on the specific skills of the individual, undertake reviews of interpretative documents produced by the division.Education and ExperienceMinimum Qualification & Experience RequiredRelevant Bachelor's Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Taxation or LLB and 8 - 10 years' experience in Law Interpretation of direct and Indirect taxes, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist levelORSenior Certificate (NQF 4) 15 years' experience in Law Interpretation of direct and indirect taxes, of which 3 - 4 years at a junior specialist levelMinimum Functional RequirementsJob Outputs:Process

• Identify, diagnose and recommend improvements in area of specialisation.
• Ensure that all written communication material meet high quality content and accuracy standards.
• Administer, interpret legislation and provide specialist advice in area of speciality.
• Conduct and, or participate in seminars and conferences on tax issues nationally and internationally and promote the interests of SARS generally.
• Consider requests for rulings, and where suitable, analyse and research standard and highly complex transactions and decide on such rulings.
• Contribute to the continuous review of legislation by providing input into changes in law or application thereof that require consideration.
• Be informed on related Acts, regulations and regulatory frameworks in area of accountability.
• Correctly apply policies, practices, standards, procedures and legislation in the delivery of work outputs.
• Interpret legislation in order to provide specialist advice in area of specialty and provide legal interpretation reports with recommendation/determination.
• Use practical and applied knowledge and judgement to arrive at decisions.
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with peers, SARS role players and third parties to achieve predefined objectives.
• Formulate and review new and current policies and practices to ensure alignment with legislative provisions.
• Play an active and supportive role in the review and product development of SARS.
• Optimise goal achievement through tactical strategy implementation and optimisation of practises, processes & systems across an internal value chain.
• Plan for value-added, continuous practice & system improvements to deliver on objectives to enhance tactical implementation and excellence.
• Proactively identify interconnected problems, determine its impact and use to develop best fit alternatives; best practice implementation solutions.
• Translate top down policy in relation to own practice area and communicate impact to relevant stakeholders.
• Recommend changes to optimise processes, systems, practice area and associated procedures and execute the implementation of change and innovation.
• Develop a single practice area in alignment with operational activity and procedural frameworks and ensure tactical implementation.
• Draw on own technical or professional expertise, knowledge & experience to identify & recommend tactical solutions to defined problems in practices.
• Integrate business information, compare, analyse & produce reports to identify trends, discrepancies & inconsistencies for decision making purposes.
• Analyse and make recommendations about improvements to specialist systems, procedures and associated area's practice.
• Contribute to the optimum utilisation of org. resources, advising on effective planning and development of area of specialisation resource plans.

Governance

• Develop and/or align governance and compliance policies for own practice area to identify and manage risk exposure liability.

People

• Integrate new knowledge and transfer skills attained through formal and informal learning opportunities in the execution of your job.
• Provide specialist know-how, support, advice and practice thought leadership in area of expertise.

Finance

• Implement and monitor financial control, management of costs and corporate governance in area of specialisation.

Client

• Deliver on service level agreements made with internal and external stakeholders, monitor feedback and adjust as required.
• Develop & ensure implementation of a practice that builds service delivery excellence & encourage others to provide exceptional stakeholder service.
• Participate in the specialist practice community and contribute positively to organisation knowledge management.
• Provide authoritative, specialist expertise and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Behavioural competencies

• Teamwork
• Accurate Understanding
• Fairness and Transparency (V)
• Analytical Thinking
• Accountability
• Conceptual Ability
• Honesty and Integrity
• Trust
• Respect
• Problem Solving and Analysis
• Attention to detail
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Organisational Awareness
• Building Sustainability.

Technical competencies

• Functional Policies and Procedures
• Reporting
• Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Written Communication
• Coaching and Mentoring
• Business Knowledge
• Efficiency improvement
• Legal Advisory and Interpretation
• Legal Knowledge and knowledge of ethics
• Legal Compliance
• Tax Knowledge

Compliance Competency

• GOC Confidential

Employment EquityThe Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening, case study, pre-assessment, psychometric assessment and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance where applicable.

South African Revenue Service