Jabez International Financial Advice CC

When reflecting on life from a deathbed perspective, many people often express similar regrets, desires, or thoughts. Here are ten common themes that individuals often mention as they contemplate their life experiences:
1. **Regret for Not Living Authentically**: Many wish they had the courage to live a life true to themselves rather than conforming to others' expectations.
2. **More Time with Loved Ones**: People frequently express a desire for more moments with family and friends, realizing the importance of relationships.
3. **Forgiveness and Reconciliation**: There is often a longing for mending broken relationships, forgiving others, and seeking forgiveness for oneself.
4. **Pursuing Passions**: Many regret not pursuing their dreams or passions and wish they had the bravery to follow their interests wholeheartedly.
5. **Less Focus on Work**: A common sentiment is wishing they had not worked so hard, understanding that life is about more than career achievements.
6. **Taking More Risks**: As they reflect, many feel they should have taken more risks and embraced opportunities rather than playing it safe.
7. **Being Present**: Some wish they had spent less time worrying about the future or dwelling on the past and more time savoring the present moment.
8. **Better Self-Care**: Many realize too late the importance of health and taking care of themselves, wishing they had prioritized physical and mental well-being.
9. **Expressing Emotions**: People often regret not expressing their feelings and emotions more openly, whether love, gratitude, or even grief.
10. **Living with Gratitude**: As they near the end, some reflect on how they could have appreciated life’s simple joys more, practicing gratitude on a daily basis.
These themes highlight the universal human experience and the importance of focusing on what truly matters throughout life.

Looking for a guarenteed return on investment of 11.7% over a 5 year term?

Warren Buffet famously advised, “Rule No. 1 of investing: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget rule No. 1”. While many investors bias their decisions towards higher returns and a search for alpha, diversification and the inclusion of lower risk options remain an important part of the mix.
With the world in a constant state of flux and uncertainty, investors are increasingly needing to review their investment portfolios to ensure a balanced asset allocation and risk profile based on their individual needs. Even seasoned investors find themselves scratching their heads when it comes to making prudent investment decisions, especially when facing the prospect of financial loss.
When it comes to future-proofing portfolios, structuring a robust, diversified portfolio that can withstand volatile market fluctuations is key. A well-diversified portfolio with a suitable asset allocation strategy can help investors mitigate potential market losses and smooth out the bumps in the road.
However, with traditional fixed investments providing subpar returns, which are often further diminished by layers of unnecessary fees, investors need to dig deep to find products that complement their portfolio and suit both their long-term and short-term investment needs.
With so much proven volatility in the markets, Fedgroup Secured Investment provides investors with a measure of certainty by offering full capital security and inflation-beating returns. Since inception of this product over three decades ago, no investor has ever lost capital or the interest due to them. Equity investors riding events such as the 2008 crash or the COVID-era volatility would have experienced some peace of mind with the Fedgroup Secured Investment as a portion of their broader portfolio.
Strictly regulated and governed by the Collective Investment Schemes Control Act, Fedgroup Secured Investment is not subject to short-term market fluctuations. Rather, it offers a fixed interest rate over a five-year term, along with flexibility that allows investors to structure the offering in a way that suits their unique needs.
Investors have a choice between having the monthly interest paid out, reinvested for growth, or a combination of both. Because of this, Secured Investment has found favour with a large array of investors, as evidenced by the fund’s recent high growth to over R5.5 billion AUM in 2022.
Of all the unique aspects of this product, of note is the lack of any fees charged to investors. No ifs, no buts, no “qualifying products”, and no hidden clauses. Thanks to simplified financial structures and Fedgroup’s commitment to value creation, investors enjoy a market-leading rate on maturity of 11.7% p.a.* without unnecessary fees eroding returns.
Few other providers offer a better rate at comparable low risk.
Gone are the days of having to choose between capital preservation and competitive returns!
And because it’s available via the Fedgroup App or through a financial advisor, investing a lump sum of R5 000 or more for a five-year period has never been easier. No red tape, no unnecessary jargon, no problems.

Do you understand what SITUS tax is?

We can think of many swear words starting with the word ‘s’, but in the tax world one of the worst ones you will hear is “situs”.



It is commonly known that on death, the tax levied in South Africa is called estate duty. Even though death is where it ends for you, from a tax perspective, if you hold assets abroad, it is only the beginning.



Situs is Latin for “position” or “site”. The situs of an asset is generally the place where an asset is considered to be located for legal purposes. For example, the situs of immovable property is the place or country where the property is situated, or in the case of a company, where incorporated or where the share register is maintained.

However, not so commonly known is that on death, both the UK and the US also levy an estate duty on certain situs assets
On death, South African residents are liable for estate duty based on their worldwide assets. Estate duty is currently levied at a rate of 20% in the case of an estate less than R30 million, and at a rate of 25% on the value above R30-million.



However, not so commonly known is that on death, both the UK and the US also levy an estate duty on certain situs assets, i.e. certain assets that are physically situated within their jurisdiction. In the UK this is known as inheritance tax and in the US it’s called estate tax. Collectively, they are known as situs taxes. This is important to note if you have assets in either country.



In the UK, 40% situs tax will be levied on situs assets over the value of £325,000. Any amount falling below the £325,000 threshold is known as “the nil rate band” and is free from situs tax. Each individual receives this £325,000 exemption. There will be no situs tax levied on any situs assets left to a surviving spouse. In addition to this, if the situs assets are left to the spouse, which results in the £325,000 exemption not being used, the exemption will roll over to the spouse. The spouse will then have a £650,000 exemption on their death.



In the US, the threshold for situs tax is dangerously low at only $60,000. The top bracket for estate tax is 40% on US situs assets. In contrast to the UK, the US offers no spousal exemptions or rollovers unless the spouse is a US citizen.



So, on death, you will be in for 20% SA estate duty, as well as a potential 40% situs tax on your US and UK situs assets. You must be thinking: “Is that not a double tax?” You are correct, but all is not lost.

It is important to ensure that the executor of your estate is aware of the situs applicable to your assets
To prevent double taxation, SA has entered into an estate duty agreement with both the UK and US, the terms of which allow the countries in which the situs assets are located to tax such assets.



South Africans will be able to claim a credit in SA for the situs taxes paid in the UK and US. However, the credits will be limited to a maximum of the 20% SA estate duty payable on the asset, even though you may have paid 40% in the US and UK. This essentially means that instead of paying 20% SA estate duty, you will pay 40% situs tax.



It is important to note that a credit is not automatically applied. It is your executor’s responsibility to ensure the credit is claimed and applied. If this is not done, you may end up paying both 20% SA estate duty and 40% situs tax. It is important to ensure that the executor of your estate is aware of the situs applicable to your assets. Failing to pay the necessary taxes may result in your executor becoming personally liable for the taxes and severe penalties for your executor and heirs.



Many people ask us: “How will we know about the situs tax?" Firstly, if an executor has not performed his/her duties and ensured the necessary taxes are paid, they may become personally liable for the situs taxes owing. Professional executors and estate administrators have therefore become the situs “policemen” for HMRC and the IRS. Secondly, global reporting and the automatic exchange of information means that the tax authorities most likely already know about the situs assets, which would have been reported under FATCA and the CRS.

Tips for investing offshore in a situs-efficient way
To avoid incurring unnecessary taxes arising on death, South Africans investing offshore should always consult their tax practitioners and ensure that they understand international tax law, before making decisions.



Investing through an offshore trust or an offshore company may in certain instances mitigate situs exposure. However, this would require specialised structuring.



Investments through certain offshore unit trust portfolios, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and insurance wrappers registered outside the relevant jurisdiction, may not attract situs tax in certain instances, even if they hold underlying situs assets.



If you are already invested in assets which could attract situs tax, you could consider selling these investments and investing into platforms which are not considered situs assets. However, the capital gains and income tax consequences would need to be considered before doing so. If you do hold situs assets, and the value of the situs assets do not exceed the nil rate bands, there would be no situs tax.



The world continues to grow into a global network, as do the global tax laws applicable to your worldwide assets. It has become much smaller and more integrated. Failing to carefully consider the tax implications of where you invest could create unnecessary costs and expenses for you and your heirs.

If you have been affected by die unrest and looting and want to understand how SASRIA cover works please read the attached document.

BUSINESS MAVERICK: South Africa’s state-owned insurance company confident it can step in to rescue looted businesses Sasria is the only insurer in South Africa that provides cover for loss or damage to insured property as a direct result of social unrest, including rioting, strike action and public disorder. Sasria believes it has more than sufficient cash reserves to honour insurance claims from businesses.

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Assist in running the office for a financial advisor. Must have previous experience of at least 3 years. Short term, Life, medical aid, investments etc. Office based in Pretoria East. If you don’t have the experience as requested please don’t reply. You will just waist your and my time.