August 2026

Limited space available. For more information, kindly contact info@pinionza.com  Disclaimer: The information supplied herein should not be used or relied upon as professional advice.  No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein.  Always contact our office for specific and detailed advice. Any legal information presented is a precis of current legislation, is subject to change and should not be used as a substitute for detailed professional advice. Copyright © 2024 Pinion South Africa. All rights reserved.

ACS 360 joins the Pinion Global Network (1 March 2024). This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone bringing together thought leadership, growth and resources from the USA, Australia, and now South Africa. What does this mean for you as our client? Aside from the rebranding of ACS 360 to Pinion SA, there will be no significant changes for our clients. However, with this transition, you can expect a broader service offering, expanded global presence, and strengthened partnerships within the agricultural sector. Our commitment to Accountability, Excellence, and Innovation remains unchanged, guaranteeing that you will continue to receive the highest level of service and industry expertise. The Pinion Global Network is a dedicated collaboration of food and agricultural advisory firms from around the world that strives to share information from the local and country levels to empower famers and agribusinesses on an international scale.  Business unit name changes ACS 360 (Pty) Ltd is now Pinion SA (Pty) LtdACS Consulting (Pty) Ltd is now Pinion Advisory (Pty) LtdACS Accounting Trust is now trading asPinion Business SolutionsACS Investing (Pty) Ltd is now Pinion Wealth SA (Pty) LtdACS Empowerment Solutions (Pty) Ltd is now Pinion Human Capital (Pty) LtdACS Academy (Pty) Ltd remains unchanged. We want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued trust and support over the past 40yrs with ACS 360. As we embark on this transformative journey, your continued support is invaluable, and we look forward to delivering even greater value to you in the future. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Here’s to the future of ACS and the exciting possibilities from our rebranding and global alignment as Pinion South Africa! Regards,Llewellyn, Mel, Hugh, and the entire Pinion SA Group. Pinion is the brand under which more than 1,000 dedicated advisory professionals in independent firms throughout the world collaborate to provide resources, expertise, and solutions to food and agriculture businesses. These member firms and their respected entities form the “Pinion Global Network”. With its unique Food & Ag footprint in tax and accounting strategy, land, ranch and farm consulting, financial management, risk advisory, and sustainability, these member firms aim to combat the global challenges of the food and agriculture industry and share resources and best practices. United States member Pinion is a global leader in food and agriculture consulting and ‘Top 100’ U.S. accounting firm with roots dating back to 1932. Pinion delivers specialized advisory for food and agriculture operations in sustainability, policy and farm programs, land and water management, tax and financial planning, risk management, business strategy, and succession planning.  “The world gets smaller daily, and food and agriculture companies are pressured to explore new ways of doing business,” says Jeff Wald, CEO of Pinion Global Network. He emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in addressing the evolving needs of the industry: “From input measurements to financial issues to sustainability requirements, client needs will only become more complex. By connecting with other like-minded organizations, we will build critical depth into international expertise, benchmarking, resources, and credibility that will allow us to truly provide world-class services and innovations.” Australia member Pinion Advisory was founded in 2020 with the merger of Australian ag consulting companies specialized in agribusiness, water, and environmental solutions. The firm, which now operates under Pinion, is focused forward on sustainability for ag operations – financially, socially, and environmentally. Pinion Australia firm CEO, Dave Heinjus, shares his enthusiasm for the expansion of the Pinion Global Network, stating, “Being a member of the Pinion Global Network stimulates insights into emerging trends and practical solutions to problems. The open sharing of information, insights and systems provides a competitive advantage for all involved.” South Africa member ACS 360 (Now Pinion SA), which is headquartered in Port Elizabeth, serves a diverse clientele across industries such as agriculture, agro-processing, and logistics and has remained a leader in advisory in South Africa for over 20 years.  “The agricultural industry shares challenges that are often worldwide issues. Therefore, we have always recognized the impact that providing world-class solutions and additional ag-focused resources can make,” says Llewellyn Collett, Director of Pinion South Africa. “Becoming a member of Pinion Global Network presented us with an agricultural-focused expansion that would be to our clients’ advantage. The Network provides our consultants with diverse information sharing, expert insights, and resources from all over the world. Ultimately, our agricultural clients are gaining innovative international perspectives and proven solutions.” Disclaimer: The information supplied herein should not be used or relied upon as professional advice.  No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein.  Always contact our office for specific and detailed advice. Any legal information presented is a precis of current legislation, is subject to change and should not be used as a substitute for detailed professional advice. Copyright © 2024 Pinion South Africa. All rights reserved.

As we head into the second half of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on the progress made so far and the opportunities that lie ahead. From time spent on farms and at industry events to ongoing conversations with clients and producers, we’re continually reminded of the resilience and innovation that drive our sector forward. We hope you enjoy this month’s collection of updates, insights and highlights from across the Pinion network. 🌍 Strengthening Our Global Reach As a proud member of the Pinion Global Network, Pinion South Africa is excited to celebrate the addition of IFAC Ireland to our international community. The expansion of the network strengthens our global presence and creates even more opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation across borders. Through the growing Pinion Global Network, we are able to combine local expertise with international insight, ensuring our clients benefit from world-class advice and solutions wherever they do business. We look forward to the valuable connections and opportunities this new partnership will bring as we continue to strengthen our global reach and deliver exceptional service through the power of the Pinion network. Regulatory Updates & Compliance News 📢 SARS Filing Season 2026 Is Here – Key Dates & Important Changes SARS has announced the 2026 Filing Season, with auto-assessments running from 1–12 July 2026. Non-provisional individual taxpayers who are not auto-assessed may submit returns from 13 July 2026 until 23 October 2026, while provisional taxpayers have until 22 January 2027. Trust filing opens on 19 September 2026 and closes on 22 January 2027. What’s New for 2026?✅ More information will be pre-populated on returns, including certain investment income.✅ A simplified ITR12 return with clearer questions and improved navigation.✅ Enhanced guidance on tax residency declarations.✅ Medical aid claims now include a drop-down list of approved schemes.✅ Auto-assessed taxpayers can receive their Notice of Assessment (ITA34) via WhatsApp in qualifying circumstances.✅ A new declaration questionnaire aims to reduce unnecessary verifications and speed up processing. Do not accept your auto-assessment without reviewing it carefully. SARS only uses information received from employers, banks, medical schemes, retirement funds and other third parties. If you have rental income, freelance earnings, home-office expenses, donations, travel claims, or other deductions not reflected in the assessment, review it carefully and submit corrections where necessary. Take action now: Ensure your banking details, contact information and tax profile are up to date to avoid delays in refunds or processing. ⚠️ Fraud Alert: Beware of SARS Scams During Filing Season As SARS Filing Season gets underway, fraudsters are becoming increasingly active. Taxpayers are urged to remain vigilant against fake emails, SMSs, WhatsApp messages and phone calls claiming to be from SARS. Remember:✅ SARS will never ask for your banking PIN, passwords or OTPs.✅ Do not click on suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.✅ Always access SARS services directly through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.✅ Be cautious of messages promising refunds or threatening legal action if immediate payment is not made. If you receive a communication that seems suspicious, contact your Pinion advisor or verify the information directly through official SARS channels before taking any action. Protecting your personal and financial information starts with staying alert. Stay safe this Filing Season!  ✈️ New SARS Online Traveller Declarations Effective 1 July 2026 South African travellers should take note of an important Customs change coming into effect on 1 July 2026. SARS will require travellers entering or leaving South Africa to submit a Traveller Declaration electronically before travelling, unless they qualify for one of the limited paper-based exceptions. The new system applies to South African citizens, residents and foreign travellers travelling by air, road, sea or rail. Travellers must submit their declaration no more than 24 hours before departure and disclose any goods, currency or other items that may require Customs attention. Key points to remember:✅ Online declarations must generally be completed before travel.✅ Children and infants must also be covered by a declaration.✅ Cash, commercial goods and items exceeding duty-free allowances must be declared.✅ Failure to make a truthful declaration may result in penalties, delays, detention of goods or other enforcement action.✅ Limited paper declarations will only be permitted in cases such as system failures or lack of internet access. The initiative is designed to streamline Customs processing, improve traveller convenience and strengthen border security compliance. If you’re travelling internationally after 1 July 2026, ensure you complete your SARS Traveller Declaration before arriving at the airport or border post to avoid unnecessary delays. CIPC UBO Compliance Reminder CIPC continues to strictly enforce Beneficial Ownership (UBO) reporting requirements. Companies must ensure their Beneficial Ownership information is accurate and up to date, as BO declarations are now a mandatory part of Annual Return submissions. Failure to comply may result in blocked annual returns, penalties, or deregistration. Now is a good time to review your ownership structures and ensure your records remain compliant. Out & About: Industry Events & Engagement SA Large Herds 2026 🐄🥛 Our team recently had the privilege of attending SA Large Herds 2026, an event that brought together dairy producers, industry leaders, and experts from across South Africa and abroad. While the event addressed many of the challenges currently facing the dairy sector – and those anticipated in the future – it was equally focused on the opportunities that exist within this resilient and innovative industry. Insightful discussions from farmers, industry representatives, and international speakers reinforced the importance of continuously refining and strengthening South Africa’s world-class dairy production systems. As a multi-disciplinary group, Pinion SA values opportunities like these to engage with stakeholders across the entire value chain – from on-farm solutions and operational efficiencies to post-farm gate optimisation and broader industry-level opportunities. These conversations enable us to better support our clients and contribute to the ongoing growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector. Of course, it wasn’t all business! The two-day event also provided plenty of opportunities to build relationships, share experiences, enjoy some well-earned social time, and even take in a few memorable moments of entertainment and