Sandton: Junior Tax Attorney (Tax Disputes & Tax Debt) posted by Pro Tem

My client is looking for someone who is level-headed and not easily distracted cares about quality and accuracy, not shortcuts is a fast, self-directed learner, does their own research before asking questions. Wants to build a career in tax disputes, not just get experience” If you are here for handholding or a soft ride, this is not your place.

They are based in Rosebank, Johannesburg. The environment is fast, technical and delivery focused. Structures are being built, not inherited. People who do well here are calm under pressure, think clearly and take ownership

They focus on:

• SARS disputes and tax debt management
• Tax administration and compliance
• Corporate and commercial advisory
• Accounting and financial reporting

The role:

• You will join the tax legal team as a Junior Tax Attorney, working directly with senior tax disputes and tax debt specialists.
• The role is to:
• Run SARS disputes and tax debt matters from start to finish
• Draft, research and prepare core documents and correspondence
• Keep files tight, timelines under control and seniors properly supported
• Learn the tax administration and disputes environment properly, not superficially
• You will be part of a growing team of junior tax attorneys, with clear scope to grow into a mid-level tax disputes attorney if you perform.

Key Responsibilities

Dispute and Litigation Support

• Assist with handling disputes across tax types (Income Tax, VAT, PAYE, penalties)
• Draft and help prepare:
• Requests for reasons
• Objections and appeals
• ADR requests and settlement proposals
• Supporting schedules, reconciliations and timelines
• Prepare and update dispute chronologies, bundles and internal notes
• Work with counsel on instructions and bundles where matters escalate

Tax Debt and SARS Engagement

• Assist with suspension of payment, deferral of payment and compromise / write-off applications
• Draft representations for remission of penalties and interest
• Prepare and manage correspondence with SARS (letters, emails, follow-ups)
• Track key dates and deadlines so nothing slips: objection periods, payment due dates, prescription risks etc.

Research and Technical Work

• Research tax administration and substantive tax issues using statutes, case law and SARS practice notes
• Draft internal research notes and first-draft opinions for senior review
• Stay on top of developments in the Tax Administration Act, Income Tax Act and VAT Act

File Management and Process

• Keep digital files in proper order: indexed, up to date and review-ready
• Maintain status trackers for matters, next steps and deadlines
• Help refine templates, checklists and standard approaches based on real matters

Client and Internal Communication

• Draft clear, structured emails and letters to clients and SARS
• Participate in client calls and meetings when appropriate, taking notes and handling follow-ups
• Communicate honestly about progress, problems and risks

Education and Admission

• LLM in tax
• Completed PLT / Practical Legal Training (or completing in the current year)
• Either:
• Admitted Attorney with up to 2 years post-admission experience, or
• Candidate attorney in final stages of articles with solid litigation exposure and clear intention to move into tax disputes

Experience

• Strong exposure to litigation or dispute work (Magistrates and/or High Court), including drafting and handling court processes
• Demonstrable experience drafting pleadings, affidavits or other formal legal documents (not just letters)
• Evidence that you can handle volume, manage deadlines and work on multiple matters at once

Technical and Skills

• Genuine interest in tax law and tax administration (not just willing to learn anything)
• Strong legal research skills and comfort working with statutes and case law
• Excellent written English, with clear, logical drafting
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Solid MS Office skills; comfort with online court and document systems is an advantage

Way of Working

• Level-headed, calm under pressure, not reactive
• Solutions driven, you try to fix and research before you escalate
• Able to handle constructive criticism professionally

Preferred (Strong Advantages)

• LLM in Taxation (completed or in progress) or other postgraduate tax qualification
• Experience in any of the following:
• Tax disputes, tax debt management or SARS engagement
• High volume litigation practice, especially in commercial or administrative law

You will fit this role if:

• You want to build a real career in tax disputes and tax debt, not just do your time
• You like complex problems, long files and tight timelines
• You are happy working hard in the background to make the team look good
• You value top-firm quality standards without needing a big-firm brand on your email signature