Johan Els Email & Phone Number

Western Cape, South Africa

Helping businesses resolve tax challenges, reduce liabilities, and secure refunds with tailored legal strategies. Specializing in alternative dispute resolution, business rescue, and insolvency support.Specialising in resolving complex tax disputes, consistently achieving significant reductions in client liabilities. Successfully reducing tax assessments, securing major wins for the clients. Recovering overpaid taxes, after challenging incorrect assessments. Negotiating favorable settlements, and reducing debts. Securing the recovery of overdue tax refunds, overcoming months of delays by SARS. Providing expert advisory services in business rescue, liquidation, and insolvency, offering tailored solutions to small and medium-sized firms.

•Provided comprehensive legal advisory services in tax law, commercial law, and international tax matters, specifically for clients with corporate structures in Mauritius.•Led legal compliance initiatives and risk mitigation strategies for tax-related matters, ensuring clients adhered to local and international regulations.•Represented clients in litigious tax and commercial matters, negotiating settlements and managing administrative compliance.•Collaborated with various departments on legal compliance, tax optimization strategies, and regulatory adherence

Acting Business Area Manager, Complex Debt Team -Led initiatives to drive revenue recovery, managing the reduction of an R11.9 billion debt portfolio, achieving a 15% reduction target within the fiscal year. Fostered a high-performance culture, enhancing staff skills and leadership. Streamlined operations by refining governance, implementing risk management processes, and reducing case errors to below 5%.Senior Legal Advisor and Acting Manager, High-Value Debt Recovery Team - Oversaw high-value tax collections for SARS' top 5000 debtors, achieving substantial revenue recovery. Played a key role in developing procedures under Chapter 6 of the Companies Act, earning an Innovation Award. Directed strategies that reduced SARS’ debt book by 15% while improving team efficiency. Engaged with SARS leadership on complex cases and developed compliance-driven internal policies.Criminal Investigator -Conducted investigations into tax-related criminal activities, assessing allegations, analyzing evidence, and ensuring compliance. Prepared detailed investigation reports that contributed to SARS' legal actions.Specialist, Legal Delivery -Provided expert legal advice on complex tax collection cases, representing SARS in high-value disputes. Developed policies on penalty waivers, deferred payments, and tax debt settlements. Delivered legal research and analysis to improve tax collection strategies and support escalated case decisions.

•Practiced as an attorney with a focus on commercial law, insolvency, and litigation, representing clients in legal disputes and contract negotiations.•Advised on liquidations, drafting legal documents, and managing business rescue processes for corporate clients.

•Provided legal advice on commercial, labour, and tax law matters, ensuring clients' compliance with South African regulations.•Drafted legal opinions and provided representation in dispute resolution processes, contributing to clients' legal strategies.

Master Of Laws - Llm, International Commercial Law

Master Of Laws - Llm, Tax Law/Taxation

Bachelor Of Laws - Llb, Law