Job Description
About the Role
We are seeking a senior tax attorney to join our tax legal team in Rosebank, Johannesburg. As a key member of our team, you will be responsible for managing complex SARS disputes and tax debt matters independently, making judgment calls, managing risk, and guiding junior attorneys with executive-level oversight.
Key Responsibilities
- SARS Disputes & Litigation (Core Function)
- Lead disputes across tax types (Income Tax, VAT, PAYE, penalties, understatement penalties)
- Draft and review: Requests for reasons, Objections and appeals, ADR requests and settlement proposals, Legal submissions and representations, Strategise dispute positioning, evidence and escalation risk
- Prepare and manage dispute chronologies, bundles and legal arguments
- Brief and liaise with counsel where matters escalate to formal litigation
- Tax Debt Management & SARS Engagement
- Lead: Suspension of payment applications, Deferred payment arrangements, Compromise / write-off applications, Draft high-quality representations for remission of penalties and interest
- Engage with SARS collections and legal divisions strategically, not reactively
- Manage prescription risk, payment exposure and enforcement timelines
- Technical Oversight & Research
- Interpret and apply the Tax Administration Act, Income Tax Act and VAT Act in live matters
- Review and refine junior attorneys research and drafting
- Draft internal opinions and technical guidance notes
- Stay current on case law, SARS interpretation notes and administrative developments
- Team Leadership & Quality Control
- Supervise junior attorneys on disputes and tax debt files
- Review key documents before submission to SARS or clients
- Ensure consistency of approach, tone and technical accuracy
- Contribute to the development of templates, checklists and internal processes
- Client & Internal Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary legal contact on allocated matters
- Participate in and lead client calls and meetings
- Communicate risks, strategy and progress clearly and commercially
- Escalate issues appropriately, with solutions proposed
Minimum Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
- Education & Admission
- Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
- LLB in Taxation (completed)
Experience
- Minimum 5 years post-admission experience, with substantial exposure to: Tax disputes and/or tax debt management, or High-level litigation or administrative law with strong tax exposure
- Proven experience running matters independently from instruction to resolution
- Demonstrated experience drafting complex legal submissions (not merely correspondence)
Technical & Professional Skills
- Strong command of tax administration law and dispute procedures
- Excellent legal drafting and structured written English
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Confident working directly with SARS and counsel
- Strong organisational skills and deadline discipline
Way of Working
- Calm, level-headed and solutions-driven
- Comfortable taking ownership and accountability
- Professional, direct and constructive in communication
- Able to mentor juniors without slowing down delivery
Preferred (Strong Advantages)
- Experience dealing directly with SARS dispute resolution and collections units
- Experience in high-value or complex tax matters
- Experience supervising or mentoring junior attorneys
- Fluency in English and Afrikaans (additional South African languages are an advantage)
Who This Role Will Suit
This role is ideal if you:
- Want to be technically strong and operationally trusted
- Enjoy complex files, regulatory pressure and strategic problem-solving
- Value quality and credibility over prestige branding
You will struggle in this role if you:
- Avoid accountability for outcomes
- Need constant direction or validation
- Are uncomfortable making judgment calls under pressure
How to Apply
Click the green “Go Apply” button below to apply directly online with the employer.
About Other Legal Jobs in Gauteng
In the Gauteng province, the legal profession is a common career path for individuals seeking a challenging and rewarding role. Generally, this field is expected to continue growing in demand as companies require more skilled professionals to navigate complex regulatory environments.
Typically, salaries for legal positions in Gauteng vary widely depending on factors such as experience, company size, and industry sector. While it’s difficult to provide an exact salary range, broad estimates suggest that junior legal professionals can expect to earn between R400 000 to R700 000 per annum, while senior roles may fetch upwards of R1 million to R2.5 million per year. However, these figures are subject to significant variation and should be taken as rough estimates.
Common skills required for careers in the legal profession include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and writing skills, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of laws and regulations. Other essential skills often include project management, time management, and collaboration with colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is also highly valued.
The legal profession is often employed by various industries, including financial services sector, technology industry, manufacturing sector, and government institutions. In these sectors, lawyers play a critical role in advising on regulatory compliance, drafting contracts and agreements, and providing counsel on complex business matters.
Career development opportunities are abundant for those pursuing careers in the legal profession. Typically, junior lawyers can expect to progress to more senior roles within 5-10 years of experience, with potential specializations in areas such as corporate law, intellectual property law, or labor law. With experience and further education, professionals may also consider entering academia, entrepreneurship, or leadership positions.
This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.
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