Tax Controversy

At Latita Africa - Tax | Legal | Advisory, we are a Pan-African professional tax legal firm dedicated to empowering growth, dynamic change and trusted fiduciary support for businesses across Africa. With deep expertise in tax, legal, advisory and risk assurance, we help our clients navigate complex regulatory, cross-border and growth challenges.

We're looking for a high-calibre
Tax Controversy & Dispute Specialist
to join our team in Johannesburg. You will lead the end-to-end management of tax controversies, audits, objections, appeals and settlement negotiations with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Your role will be critical to strengthening our Tax practice and driving strategic outcomes for our clients.

Department:
Tax Legal

Location:
Johannesburg - In Office

Reporting to:
 Tax Controversy & Dispute

Type:
Full-Time

Languages:
Applicant must be fluent in English & Afrikaans

Purpose of the Role:

We are expanding our Tax Controversy & Dispute practice and are seeking a highly skilled Tax Dispute Specialist to represent clients in complex matters before the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Tax Court.

You'll act as a lead advisor and negotiator, resolving disputes across VAT, PAYE, Corporate Income Tax, Customs, and Transfer Pricing; and shaping national precedent in how tax controversies are handled.

This is a client-facing, high-impact role that demands a strong command of tax law, negotiation under pressure, and excellent technical drafting ability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Represent clients during SARS audits, investigations, and enforcement actions.
• Prepare and argue
  Notices of Objection (NOO)
  and
  Notices of Appeal (NOA)
  in terms of the
  Tax Administration Act.
• Manage
  Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  and
  Section 200 Compromise
  proceedings.
• Prepare litigation support documents for
  Tax Court, High Court,
  or
  Constitutional Court
  matters.
• Draft technical opinions and dispute memoranda across multiple tax types, including
  VAT, PAYE, Corporate Income Tax
  , and
  Transfer Pricing
  .
• Negotiate settlements with SARS and guide clients through collection suspensions and deferrals.
• Engage directly with client executives and external counsel on dispute strategy and legal positioning.
• Mentor junior attorneys and tax professionals within the Latita Africa Tax Controversy desk.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Proven experience in Tax Court litigation or ADR settlement processes.
• Strong SARS interface ability — experience liaising with auditors, legal specialists, and collection teams.
• Technical mastery of the Tax Administration Act, Income Tax Act, VAT Act, Customs &
  Excise Act.
• Skilled in drafting legal pleadings, tax opinions, and dispute strategy memoranda
  .
• Experience with mining, financial services, or transfer pricing disputes advantageous.
• Deep understanding of SARS policy, risk management, and audit triggers.
• Strong negotiation and mediation ability (formal ADR or mediation certification a plus).
• Exceptional written advocacy and attention to legal precision.

Minimum Requirements:

• LLB / BCom Law / BCom (Tax) essential
• Minimum of 5–10 years' experience in tax disputes or litigation, consulting, or SARS-related environment
• Postgraduate degree in Tax Law (LLM or HDip Tax) preferred.
• Registered Tax Practitioner (SAIT, SAICA, or equivalent.
• In-depth knowledge of the Tax Administration Act, Income Tax Act, and VAT Act
• Proven track record in dealing with SARS on tax debt, disputes, and compromises
• Experience in drafting legal documents, tax opinions, or SARS applications
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• High emotional intelligence and resilience under pressure
• Ability to manage multiple cases and deadlines simultaneously
• Strong ethics, discretion, and client confidentiality

Personal Attributes:

• Assertive yet professional in tone when dealing with SARS and clients
• Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
• Commercially minded with a balance of technical and business acumen
• Comfortable working in a high-performance, fast-paced environment
• Strategic thinker with a strong problem-solving orientation
• Team player with a collaborative mindset

Salary Range:

Market-related.

Please forward your application and CV, along with your relevant experience in dealing with Section 200 compromises to info

.
Applicants that fail to submit the required information will be immediately disqualified.

Should you not hear back from us within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.