QUESTION 1

Star Ltd is a South African resident. It is a small business corporation that manufactures sportswear clothing. The companys financial year ends on 28 February. Star Ltd is a registered vat vendor and the company does not apply IFRS 9 for financial reporting purposes.

The following information is available for the year ended 28 February 2023 (all amounts exclude VAT unless otherwise stated):

Income NotesRSales 4250000Dividend income132000 Expenses and costs Purchase of raw material on 1 July 2022 1025000Inventory2?Bad debts 53500Doubtful debts3?Salaries and wages4770000Legal expenses4157000Patent acquired440000Repairs and maintenance 38500Electricity742000Restraint of trade8156000Computer costs (including VAT)980500Machinery costs10190000

Notes

1. The company received a dividend from a local investment company on 31 December 2022.

2. The cost price of the opening stock was R360 000 and the market value was R320 000 as on 1 March 2022. The cost price of the closing stock was R402 000 and the market value was R434 000 on 28 February 2023.

3. The list of doubtful debts as at 28 February 2023 amounted to R72 000 and 70% of the total amount have been in arrears for more than 120 days. The balance of the debtors have not been in arrears for more than 60 days. The doubtful-debt allowance by the Commissioner for the 2023 year of assessment, amounted to R22 000.

4. Salaries paid during the current year of assessment amounted to R690 000 and the company also contributed R80 000 towards the provident fund on behalf of the companys employees.

5. Legal expenses were incurred as follows: - Drafting of lease contracts for the company amounting to R35 000. - The balance of the expenses relate to collection of outstanding trade debtors.

6. Star Ltd incurred an expense of R40 000 in acquiring a design on its trading merchandise.

7. The company paid the entire amount of electricity for the period 1 February 2023 to 31 August 2023.

8. The full payment was made to the former operations manager on 1 February 2023 for agreeing not to start a business in South Africa within a period of four years.

9. Due to the expansion of the business, the company purchased five laptops during September 2022 for immediate use by the finance department. The taxpayer elects the 50:30:20 write-off that pertains to other assets in terms of section 12E.

10. On 1 April 2022, Star Ltd acquired a new manufacturing machine which was brought into use on 3 May 2022.

Required:

Calculate in detail Star Ltd.s taxable income for the year ended 28 February 2023.

Show all workings and full explanations where applicable.