Articles by Harper Banks
What happens if you don’t pay your taxes?
As a South African citizen, you are required to pay taxes on any income you earn. However, you may have wondered what would happen if you didn’t pay your taxes.
When to give your family access to your credit card
If you are the main breadwinner in your household, you may find it beneficial to give your family members access to your credit card. This will allow them to make purchases on their own. However, this also comes with risks.
Does credit card travel insurance cover every ticket you buy?
Having used your credit card to purchase plane tickets for your family vacation, you find out that you will receive automatic travel insurance. But does this apply to every ticket holder?
How long does debt reflect on your credit score?
If you’ve ever had debt that you didn’t manage well, you may have wondered how long the debt would remain, or be retained, on your credit score. This is known as a “retention period” and it is governed by the law.
6 Clever ways to spend your tax refund
After submitting your tax calculations to SARS, you may receive a tax refund. This is a tax break offered by SARS based on certain expenses. But what should you do with it? We have a look at six productive ways you can spend this money.
What does financial emigration entail?
Over the last couple of years, you’ve slowly been saving to move abroad. You’ve learned a new language, and mapped out all the places you plan to see. But should you take all your wealth with you?
What happens to the interest on your tax-free savings?
You may be interested in investing your savings in a tax-free savings account (TFSA). However, the amount you’re allowed to save in this kind of account is capped. So, what does this means for any interest you earn above the limit?
Can you afford emergency surgery for your pet?
If your family pet collapses, you may be shocked by their medical bills, which could place you in long-term debt and ruin you financially. We consider how pet insurance can help with these costs.
Don’t let your credit score hinder your hiring
While filling out a job application, you may notice that your prospective employer would like your permission to view your credit report. But is this acceptable, or is it an invasion of your privacy?
Can your credit score revert to zero?
If you’ve settled your credit-bearing accounts and you decide to close them, would your credit score eventually return to zero?
Is it worth the penalty to settle your personal loan early?
If you have a personal loan, and you just received a bonus or an inheritance, you may be considering settling your loan in one go. However, did you know that this comes with penalties?
Why a shift to freelancing appeals to 80% of South Africans
It’s easy to imagine that with the rise of Covid-19, many employees lost their jobs in South Africa and started freelancing. However, a shift to freelancing already emerged prior to the pandemic.