Sen Manager: Interpretive Tax Policy x2 (PIT and CIT) Jobs

Job Purpose

To lead research, review, and provide tax technical input on official policies and practices related to personal income tax interpretation. Ensure the quality and accuracy of divisional documents like non-binding opinions, guides, interpretation notes, and binding general rulings. Offer input on practical implementation of these policies.

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualification and Experience Required

• Relevant Honours Degree / Postgraduate Diploma (NQF 8) in Taxation or LLB, plus 10–12 years’ experience in law interpretation related to Personal Income Tax, including 3–4 years at middle management level.

OR

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) in Taxation or LLB, plus 12–15 years’ experience in law interpretation related to Personal Income Tax, including 3–4 years at middle management level.

Minimum Functional Requirements

Job Outputs

Process

• Work with your team to identify personal income tax topics and sections needing interpretation or guidance for taxpayer clarity.
• Guide a team of 5–8 tax experts in researching and drafting opinions and guidance on these topics.
• Evaluate the impact of legislative interpretations on the tax base, cross-border issues, tax administration, and policy.
• Consider global best practices in policy development.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to cover all aspects of a topic or section.
• Contribute to SARS’s internal governance through committees, workshops, and forums.
• Advise SARS senior management and National Treasury on personal income tax matters, including legislative gaps, and represent SARS at forums.
• Provide guidance during drafting, identify team training needs, and support knowledge transfer.
• Develop business and delivery plans aligned with divisional goals.
• Report on performance and adjust plans as needed.
• Recommend process, system, policy, and procedure improvements.

Governance

• Apply governance, risk, and compliance policies to manage risks in your area.
• Advise on translating and applying policy in your functional area.

People

• Foster a positive work environment to boost productivity.
• Develop people capacity plans aligned with targets and budget.
• Enhance efficiency by addressing development needs and providing tools.
• Set performance metrics and goals to achieve objectives.

Finance

• Monitor financial controls, costs, and corporate governance in your area.

Client

• Build relationships and service level agreements with stakeholders.
• Promote service delivery excellence and client feedback.
• Cultivate a culture of rewarding relationships and exceptional service.

Behavioural Competencies

• Translate strategy into action
• Consider impact of behaviour on others
• Fairness and transparency
• Develop teams and encourage collaboration
• Accountability
• Inspire positive action
• Honesty and integrity
• Trust
• Respect
• Problem-solving and analysis
• Nurture future talent
• Stewardship and service orientation
• Strong results orientation
• Value and manage diversity

Technical Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of Personal Income Tax
• In-depth knowledge of International Tax
• In-depth knowledge of PAYE
• Working knowledge of International Tax
• Working knowledge of Retirement Funds
• Working knowledge of Tax Administration Act, UIF, and Skills Development Levies
• Opinion drafting skills and experience
• Business acumen
• Change management
• Decisiveness
• Knowledge of ethics
• Legal compliance
• Managerial budgeting
• Planning and organising
• Planning, management, and measurement
• Policy development
• Problem analysis and judgement
• Strategic planning