Protect your assets

Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt lists some of the ways you can protect your assets in today’s uncertain economic times. He spoke to an audience at the Free Market Foundation, Bryanston, on 22 October.

• Gear income-generating properties to the maximum. This for greatest tax benefit, despite your properties becoming less attractive because of it.
• Diversify your portfolio. Think about acquiring assets abroad.
• Diversify your investments through discretionary structures, and not only through pension and provident funds.
• Try to ensure that your assets are as liquid as possible, in case any law is changed to your disadvantage.
• Rent rather than buy property. Consider any offer were it possible to sell your property at a fair price to the state, and rent it back.
• Make foreign business partners. Expropriation is more difficult if foreigners’ assets are also taken.
• Don’t break the law, and make sure that your tax payments are up to date.
• Join organisations that campaign for the protection of private property laws.

Details: Free Market Foundation fmf@mweb.co.za, 011 884 0270.