Eight farming tax mistakes that cost farmers cash and lead to SARS disputes

Farming has its own tax rules, and many of the costliest errors come from treating a farm like any other business. This article sets out eight mistakes that cost farmers cash or lead to SARS disputes: where farming ends and manufacturing begins, valuing stock on the accounting figures, the livestock purchase limit, capital development deductions, assessed losses and the 2026 change to section 20A, VAT adjustments and employee housing. It ends with a checklist for practitioners.