Prestigious award for UCT tax expert

A wide and deep interest in the subject of tax has kept University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Jennifer Roeleveld on top of her game, culminating in a prestigious international award from Bloomberg Tax.

Roeleveld became the first African to receive the International Tax Portfolio Author of the Year Award, for 2019, which was presented to her at an event at Spencer House in London during the 73rd International Fiscal Association (IFA) congress in September.

An emeritus professor of South African and international taxation in the Faculty of Commerceʼs Department of Finance and Tax, she was honoured for “outstanding authorship” for her publication Business Operations in South Africa. It contains a wealth of information which helps foreign businesses to set up and conduct their operations in South Africa, from both the tax and general legal points of view.

Roeleveld believes tax is the most exciting and rewarding discipline.

“It’s global. It affects everything and every person,” said the professor, who has poured her energy into the field over the past few decades. She is justifiably delighted with the accolade and recognition on the global stage.

“It’s so nice to get this kind of acknowledgement after years of hard work, especially in the international arena. I see it as very good news for UCT and our master’s students who we involve in our research.”

Recognition of a lifetime

Associate Professor Francois Toerien, head of the Department of Finance and Tax, lauded her win.

“The Bloomberg Tax award is recognition for a lifetime of academic work in the tax field, and we are very proud of Jennifer for this amazing achievement. It is not only an honour for her, but also for our department, UCT, South Africa and, indeed, the tax community on the African continent.”

“It is not only an honour for her, but also for our department, UCT, South Africa and, indeed, the tax community on the African continent.”

Bloomberg Tax, said company president Lisa Fitzpatrick, are leading tax practitioners who provide the highest quality analysis and practical guidance, enabling subscribers to navigate increasingly complex global tax requirements. The platform provides comprehensive global research, news and technology services.

Roeleveld, who is also a Master Tax Practitioner and started her career as a chartered accountant, is the first director of the UCT Tax Unit for Fiscal Research, which was formed in 2015 and combines the disciplines of law, accounting and economics.

She credits her colleagues for a rewarding, cross-cutting partnership.

“We are so different, but we work so well together,” she said.

The unit has developed an international master’s programme, which has attracted students from as far afield as Switzerland and Belgium, as well as African countries.

“We cover everything from the history of tax treaties and why they came about, to a global view on the digital economy. We are quietly creating a whole bank of new skills in South Africa.”

The power of networking

She is a firm believer in the power of networking and playing your part in getting your message out there.

“When there is a call for a paper, or a chapter in a book, or a report from South Africa, you do it. You commit to doing it on time, and you don’t let them down. The international fraternity is so loyal if you deliver.”

“Our students do cutting-edge dissertations which are entered into global competitions. We are a small pocket here, but we have a large influence.”

The unit has been able to leverage the good international connections it has made, with ripple effects for its students.

“Our students do cutting-edge dissertations which are entered into global competitions. We are a small pocket here, but we have a large influence.”

Eleven of Roeleveld’s master’s students are graduating at UCT in December and she is “tremendously” proud of them.

“It has been wonderful to work with this young crop of students. They energise me. They’re so enthusiastic.”

It’s also an interesting time to study and work on tax, she added, with students tapping into topical issues such as the sugar tax, foreign investment in water desalination, and the new regime of machine learning in the digital economy.

Roeleveld debunks public perceptions about tax being a dry issue, saying it is a fascinating and people-orientated discipline. She said it’s no wonder that psychology is included as a subject in tax programmes at several universities in Europe.

“Tax is all about people. You are dealing with something that impacts just about everyone. You need to have excellent people skills.”

Digging into the history of South African tax has also been a passion for Roeleveld, who has co-edited and co-authored a book on the first 100 years of income tax in South Africa. The book, published in 2014, contains quirky and interesting insights into the first tax in South Africa, which involved paying a tax on ostrich feathers, which were extremely popular and adorned women’s hats. A so-called “tiger tax” on hunting was also among the country’s first taxes.

Taxpayer’s rights

Roeleveld holds strong views on taxpayer’s rights, which she writes about often. She has both chaired and participated in international high-level panels on the subject at international conferences. She believes there is a need for safeguards for confidentiality, as leaked or incorrect information can be very damaging to people’s reputations.

“There’s an explosion in exchange of information across the world. Banks also share your information with the revenue services. It’s only a matter of time before things go wrong,” she cautioned.

“There’s a risk of stolen information and incorrect information getting out there. The taxpayer isn’t informed in advance of an exchange of information about them which is to take place… and that’s not acceptable.”

She added that many of the tax challenges countries face are universal.

“There’s an explosion in exchange of information across the world. Banks also share your information with the revenue services. It’s only a matter of time before things go wrong.”

“Corruption is more rife than you think in the world. It is hidden in the form of aggressive tax planning and tax evasion. The digital economy and cryptocurrencies are quite an issue, while tax on online services such as Uber and AirBnB is not fully bedded down. There is not enough guidance out there for these operators.”

Closer to home, she said the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is showing signs of improvement, and that she has been impressed by the shift within the new management.

“After years of lockdown, SARS officials are now open to participating in panels at international conferences and are open and receptive to new research and ideas.”

She is keen to continue shaping debate on a national and global level, while at the same time preparing for a large group of international tax experts to come to our shores in October 2022, when the IFA will hold its 76th congress in Cape Town.

As the president of IFA South Africa, she will play a key role. The congress is expected to draw 2 000 participants and is a first for the African continent.

For Roeleveld, it will be an ideal opportunity to broaden the debate on tax – a subject which has defined and ignited her working life.