Tax Department Manager

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Tax Department Manager at Staff Solutions, responsible for providing expert technical tax leadership, managing SARS engagements and dispute resolution, leading and developing the tax team, ensuring high-quality client service and advisory, maintaining operational efficiency, and ensuring compliance with professional standards. **What you will do** * **Technical Tax Leadership** * Provide expert technical oversight across all major tax types, including: * Income Tax Individuals, Companies, Trusts * Provisional Tax * VAT * PAYE and related payroll taxes * Dividends Tax and Withholding Taxes * Review and sign off on complex tax computations, returns, and submissions. * Interpret and apply current tax legislation, case law, and SARS practice notes. * Provide guidance on complex tax structures, transactions, and compliance matters. * Ensure tax advice and submissions are technically sound, defensible, and well‑documented. * **SARS Engagement & Dispute Resolution** * Manage and oversee all complex SARS interactions, including: * Audits and verifications * Requests for Information RFIs * Requests for Reasons RFRs * Objections and appeals * Voluntary Disclosure Programme VDP matters * Draft, review, and approve detailed technical responses to SARS. * Act as the escalation point for high‑risk or contentious SARS matters. * Ensure all deadlines are monitored and met, and risks are proactively managed. * **People & Team Management** * Lead, manage, and develop the tax team, including: * Tax administrators, consultants, and senior tax staff * Allocate work appropriately based on complexity, capacity, and competence. * Conduct performance management, coaching, mentoring, and skills development. * Identify training needs and ensure ongoing technical and professional development. * Foster a high‑performance, accountable, and collaborative team culture. * **Client Service & Advisory** * Act as a senior tax contact for key clients. * Communicate complex tax matters clearly and practically to clients. * Support client retention and growth through high‑quality service and trusted advice. * Identify opportunities for tax planning, advisory, and additional services. * Ensure a consistent, professional client experience across the tax department. * **Operational & Quality Management** * Ensure tax work is delivered: * Accurately * Timeously * In line with internal SOPs and professional standards * Monitor departmental workflows, deadlines, and capacity. * Maintain and improve tax processes, templates, and checklists. * Ensure proper documentation and audit trails for all tax matters. * Contribute to departmental budgeting, productivity, and profitability. * **Compliance & Professional Standards** * Ensure compliance with: * SARS requirements * Professional body standards * Internal policies and procedures * Stay up to date with legislative changes and ensure timely implementation. * Ensure CPD requirements are met self and team, where applicable. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * **Essential Qualifications & Experience** * Relevant Tax Degree / Postgraduate Tax Qualification * Minimum 5–8 years relevant tax experience, with exposure to complex tax matters * Proven experience managing and leading a team * Strong experience dealing directly with SARS audits, disputes, and technical queries * Excellent, up‑to‑date knowledge of South African tax legislation * **Advantageous Qualifications & Experience** * Professional registration e.g. SAIT, SAICA, SAIPA * Experience in a professional services / advisory firm environment * Exposure to tax planning and structuring * **Key Competencies & Skills** * Strong technical tax competence * Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills * High attention to detail and quality * Strong written and verbal communication skills * Ability to manage complexity and competing deadlines * Leadership, coaching, and people‑management capability * Professional judgment and ethical decision‑making * Client‑focused mindset **Who should apply** An ideal candidate for the Tax Department Manager role will possess a relevant tax degree or postgraduate qualification and have at least 5-8 years of tax experience, including exposure to complex tax matters. They should have proven experience in managing and leading a team, strong direct experience with SARS audits and disputes, and excellent, current knowledge of South African tax legislation. The successful applicant will demonstrate strong technical tax competence, analytical and problem-solving skills, high attention to detail, and excellent communication abilities. They should be capable of managing complex tasks and competing deadlines, exhibit leadership, coaching, and people-management capabilities, and apply professional judgment and ethical decision-making with a client-focused mindset. Professional registration and experience in a professional services firm or tax planning are considered advantageous. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/tax-department-manager-staff-solutions Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 5 years of experience.

• Payroll

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