Tax Technical Research Specialist - Sandton at Catch

ROLE OVERVIEW

• As a Tax Technical Research Specialist, you will be a key part of the company’s Tax Technical Team, contributing to their expertise in reclaiming withholding taxes on dividends and interest.
• This role requires strong analytical skills, a comprehensive understanding of international tax treaties and regulations, and the ability to navigate complex legal frameworks.
• This role involves close collaboration with internal teams and external advisors to ensure optimal success in withholding tax reclaims. Department: Tax Technical

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities include:

Technical Expertise

• Conduct in-depth research on international tax treaties, domestic tax laws, and EU directives relevant to withholding tax reclaims.
• Stay abreast of global tax developments, including ECJ case law and legislative changes impacting withholding tax recovery, and implement necessary adjustments to processes.

Collaboration

• Work closely with internal teams, including Sales, Client Services, and Operations, to streamline and improve the claim process.
• Partner with external tax advisors and legal experts as needed to strengthen claims and address challenges.

Process Improvement & Development

• Identify and implement opportunities to refine the company’s technical methodologies.
• Contribute to the development of new service offerings and expand the firm’s reach into new reclaim markets and types.
• Perform in-depth research on specific claim territories and integrate claim development findings into the existing business model to optimise the claim process.
• Conduct thorough market research to identify profitable jurisdictions and provide insights to guide the business’s strategic direction.

Claims Support

• As needed, assist in preparing cover letters for withholding tax reclaims, outlining the legal arguments for comparability that support the claims.
• Review claim documentation for certain complex cases on an ad-hoc basis, ensuring accuracy and compliance with local tax authority requirements.

Client-Facing Support

• Provide expert technical guidance to current and prospective clients on withholding tax recovery strategies and claim eligibility.
• Effectively communicate complex tax concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Tax Office Queries

• Assist in resolving technical queries from tax authorities to ensure compliance and claim accuracy.
• Draft and review responses to queries from tax authorities, particularly on technical matters.

Training & Knowledge Sharing

• Train and mentor junior team members on technical aspects of tax recovery.
• Prepare and deliver presentations on relevant tax developments.
• Assist in the creation of tax technical content for internal and external publication.

REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

Qualifications & Experience

• Honours degree in Accounting, Taxation, Law, Finance, or a related field.
• A master’s degree (e.g. master’s in taxation) is a plus.

Experience & Skills

• Technical Knowledge: strong understanding of taxation principles, with a focus on Double Taxation Treaties, EU tax regulations, and ECJ case law preferred.
• Analytical Skills: ability to interpret complex legal documents and tax regulations.
• Communication: exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information for diverse audiences.

Personal Attributes

• Teamwork: excellent collaboration skills, with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Attention to Detail: high level of accuracy in research, documentation, and execution.