Overview      

Tax planning often involves navigating the fine line between legitimate tax efficiency, aggressive tax avoidance and conduct that may be considered unethical or improper. For tax practitioners and advisers, understanding where that line lies is essential when providing advice to clients and structuring transactions.

This webinar will explore the ethical challenges that arise in tax planning and client advice, with a practical focus on identifying when a legitimate tax strategy may cross into aggressive or inappropriate conduct. It will consider the responsibilities of tax professionals, the importance of professional judgement and the potential consequences of providing advice that does not adequately consider ethical, legal and professional obligations.

Join Caryn Maitland CA(SA) on the 21st October 2026 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm as she unpacks the ethical grey areas in tax planning and client advice, helping practitioners distinguish between what is legal, what may be aggressive and what could simply be wrong.

 Learning objectives     

Attending this webinar will equip you with the following skills:  

• Understand the ethical considerations that apply to tax planning and client advice.
• Distinguish between legitimate tax planning, aggressive tax avoidance and potentially unethical conduct.
• Identify ethical red flags when advising clients on tax planning strategies and transactions.
• Apply professional judgement when faced with difficult or conflicting client instructions.
• Understand the potential professional, reputational and regulatory consequences of inappropriate tax advice.
• Develop practical approaches for addressing ethical dilemmas and communicating concerns with clients.

Content   

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• The ethical line in tax planning

  • Legitimate tax planning versus aggressive tax avoidance.
  • When does tax planning become ethically questionable?
  • Understanding the difference between “legal” and “ethical”.
  • The role of professional judgement and responsibility.
• Ethics in client advice
  • Identifying ethical red flags in client instructions.
  • Dealing with clients who expect practitioners to “find a way”.
  • Balancing client interests with professional and ethical obligations.
• Practical ethical dilemmas
  • Real-world scenarios involving tax planning and client advice.
  • Assessing whether a proposed approach is legal, aggressive or simply wrong.
  • How to respond when a client's expectations conflict with professional obligations.
• Consequences and professional responsibility
  • Regulatory, professional and reputational risks.
  • The importance of documentation and maintaining an appropriate audit trail.
  • Practical steps for managing and resolving ethical concerns.
• Practical takeaways for tax practitioners
  • A framework for making ethical decisions.
  • Questions to ask before providing or implementing tax advice.
  • Communicating ethical boundaries clearly and professionally.

Obtaining your CPD certificate  

This training is compliant with the International Education Standard (IES7) issued by the International Federation of Accountants and recognised for CPD by relevant professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, IAC, IIA, SAICA and SAIPA.  

All attendees are issued with a CPD certificate available in an online profile.    

About the presenter  

Caryn Maitland CA(SA) 

Caryn Maitland is a Chartered Accountant (SA). She has been a member of IRBA as a registered auditor and accountant since 2002 and is also a registered member of SAICA. 

Caryn has lectured Auditing and Accounting at various institutions and has conducted independent workshops and seminars for professional accountants since 2006 on various topics. She has presented on the national tour for the annual Legislation Update with ProBeta Training (Pty) Ltd in 2014 and 2015, as well as on the FASSET national tour for the Tax Administration Act in 2014.  Caryn is also involved with the annual SAICA SMP Technical tour. 

Who should attend?  

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar:  

• Practising accountants including: CA(SA), Professional Accountant (SA), AGA(SA), FCCA, BAP(SA), BA(SA) and ACCA.  

• Registered auditors.  

• Audit managers.  

• Trainee accountants.   

 Price               

• R 450.00 - Online admission - Individual.  

• Group Price 1 - From R337 per person (up to 5 users)   

• Group Price 2 - From R260 per person (up to 10 users)   

• Group Price 3 - From R224 per person (over 11 users)  

Steps to register for the event:   

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar.  

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar.  

Click here to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series).  

Click here to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options.    

Additional material    

By attending this webinar you will be provided with:  

• A summarised slide presentation.  

• Reference documents and/or course material where available.  

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.    

Corporate training solutions  

  At the Accounting Academy, we recognize the evolving needs of businesses in today's dynamic environment. Beyond our standard webinar offerings, we provide tailored corporate training solutions designed to empower your team with the latest in accounting and professional skills. Whether you're looking for online sessions or face-to-face training, our programs are crafted to ensure a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.  

Drawing inspiration from modern training methodologies, our corporate solutions are interactive, adaptable, and focused on real-world applications. We prioritize hands-on learning, ensuring your team can immediately apply their newfound knowledge in practical scenarios.    

Interested in a bespoke corporate training experience? Reach out to us at corporate@accountingacademy.co.za or call 010 593 0466. Together, let's design a training program that elevates your team's capabilities and aligns with your organizational goals.     

Contact us    

Have any questions or need any assistance? Contact us today!  

• Online chat through our website.  

• WhatsApp: Start chatting (+27635026114)  

• Phone: 010 593 0466  

• E-mail: ticket@accountingacademy.co.za