South Africa: Requirements for certain unlisted companies to qualify as a REIT
Comments on the draft notice must be sent by January 31, 2026.
The National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on December 11, 2025, issued a request for public comment regarding a draft notice, setting out the requirements for certain unlisted companies to qualify as a real estate investment trust (REIT).
Unlisted REITS
The REIT definition was expanded in the Taxation Law Amendment Act No 42 of 2024 to include any South African tax resident company that meets the requirements as set out by the Minister of Finance by notice in a published Government Gazette. The purpose of the amendment was to provide for non-listed South African companies, which should otherwise qualify as a REIT.
The draft notice publishes additional requirements to be met by unlisted companies wishing to qualify as a REIT.
Public comments must be forwarded to SARS or the National Treasury before close of business on January 31, 2026.
Read a December 2025 report prepared by the KPMG member firm in South Africa