Senior Manager: Advanced Tax Rulings Job at SARS

Reference Number : HO211
Job Title : Senior Manager: Advanced Tax Rulings
Position Reports to : Group Executive: Interpretation and Rulings
Division : Legal and Policy
Department : Interpretation and Rulings
Location : Head Office
Advert Date : 11 March 2011
Job Purpose:
• To manage and control the analising, research and writing of standard, involved, complex and extra-ordinary binding private and binding class rulings regarding the tax treatment of anticipated transactions in accordance with the advance tax rulings provisions inserted as Part IA in Chapter III of the Income Tax Act, No. 58 of 1962 and which apply in respect of the taxes administered by SARS
• To manage the performance of, develop and motivate and develop the knowledge and skills of the staff on the relevant subsection to provide a professional, effective and efficient service to internal and external clients in order to support business goals.
• To manage the process of facilitating, assisting and promoting the consistent, uniform, fair and correct application of the provisions of the relevant Acts.
• To ensure that legislation keeps up to date with new developments with a view to limiting abuse.
Duties:
1. The facilitation and overseeing of the –
• determination of the suitability of requests for rulings, and where so suitable, the analising and research of standard and highly complex transactions and deciding on such rulings.
• Writing and reviewing of advance tax rulings regarding the tax treatment of anticipated business transactions after an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation of the implications of a ruling on the macro and micro economy, the cross-border environment, tax administration in general and tax policy.
• Monitoring of applications and providing of advice of new trends in the economy.
• Liason with internal and external clients and report back on a regular basis to senior management of SARS.
• Presiding over hearings requested by taxpayers requiring rulings or by SARS management.
• Advising or otherwise providing guidance to SARS senior management and or National Treasury where required on advance tax rulings and related matters, including deficiencies in current legislation impacting on the tax base and to do presentations and represent SARS at various local and external forums.
• Ensuring of the maintenance and preservation of confidentiality and secrecy in respect of the rulings process and outcome, and to properly record and account for hours spend on each ruling in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.
• Ensuring of continuity in processes by comparative analysis with best practices world-wide.
• Liaison with competent authorities of other countries in respect of international or cross-border transactions.
• Determination of initial fee estimates in respect of rulings requested and allocated to the jobholder.
2. Reviewing of tax-technical documents in order to ensure that documents comply with quality standards and that documents are technically correct after considering the relevant facts and circumstances and researching and considering , amongst other things, existing interpretative tax policy, international practice, the alignment with the interpretation of other related taxes
3. Manage the organisational, human and other resources under his/her control, including the relevant budget and the performance management of staff
4. Conduct and/or participate in seminars and conferences nationally and internationally on tax issues and promote the interests of SARS generally
• Empower staff on the relevant subdivision by developing their technical expertise and skills
Knowledge & Skills:
• Leadership skills
• Excellent analytic and problem-solving skills
• Good public relations and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Computer literacy (Windows MS Word, MS Excel and use of Internet)
• Ability to interpret and apply legislation
• Ability to work independently and innovatively in producing solutions for complex problems and new ideas in the development of policy and legislation;
• Good judgement and independent decision-making abilities
• Ability to work under pressure and to manage change
• Thorough knowledge of the relevant legislation
• An understanding of SARS and Head Office policies and business operations.
Education & Experience:
• Commercial or legal degree and at least 10 years tax technical experience or Grade 12 and at least 14 years tax technical experience. A LLB or B.Com (Hons), a post-graduate higher diploma in tax or similar qualification in tax/accounting would be advantageous
• At least 3-4 years management experience in a tax technical environment
• Experience in research performed, drafting and reviewing of tax opinions and comprehensive memo’s on complex matters
Employment Equity
The Employment Equity policy of SARS will be considered as part of the recruitment and selection process. For statistical purposes, please indicate your Equity status (race, gender and disability) on your CV.
Successful candidates will be required to undertake an oath of secrecy, pre-employment screening and or vetting, and a declaration of private interest. The appointment is also subject to appropriate reference(s) and security clearance if applicable.
Please complete the online CV template and save it on your computer, email it to horecruitment@sars.gov.za and indicate the reference number and the job title of the vacancy you are applying for in the subject line. Click on this link to take you to the CV template: http://myportal/Functions/HR/HR%20Documents/Templates/Documents/CV%20Template%20-%20SARS%202008.doc