Latest news with #SDL
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Looming tax deadline and glitches cause frustration
Additional measures were implemented to help taxpayers stay compliant – and if not for the 'procrastinators' the problem 'could have been fixed' by now. The chances of an extension to Friday's deadline are slim. Picture: AdobeStock In the run-up to this year's filing season, employers are battling to meet the deadline for submission of their annual employer reconciliation declarations to the South African Revenue Service (Sars). The deadline is Friday. Employers experienced glitches after Sars released an updated version of e@syFile, the software used to reconcile and validate the payroll data and electronic employee tax certificates submitted to Sars. Employers submit monthly declarations, and the annual declaration (EMP501) reflects all the payments made in terms of employee pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) tax, Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions, and employee tax incentive (ETI) and skills development (SDL) levies. ALSO READ: 'Sars needs to play catch up,' says Kieswetter as tax collector goes digital System issues The system error forced Sars to make additional channels and measures available to enable employers to submit their information on time, says Ettiene Retief, independent tax specialist. The new version created 'unexpected' issues where employers were unable to submit their EMP501 returns. Following complaints from several recognised controlling bodies that represent tax practitioners, Sars acknowledged the problems. It gave employers access to the older version when they could not solve their issues with the new version, and addressed issues through a dedicated email support channel. Retief says the newer version might have been incompatible with specific anti-virus programmes used by employers or tax practitioners. System updates by employer payroll systems may also have caused the incompatibility with e@syFile. 'There are also procrastinators. We have had two months to deal with issues – if people started engaging earlier, the problem could have been fixed already,' he adds. ALSO READ: Sars beats expectations by collecting R1.855 trillion in 2024/25 tax year The go-between The Sars e@syFile software plays 'middleman' in the validation and reconciliation of the employer's payroll system and the validation of the electronic IRP5 tax certificate that is submitted to Sars. This enables Sars to pre-populate the tax returns of almost four million individual taxpayers, and those with more complicated tax affairs can submit their tax returns with correct tax information. According to Sars, the three elements that must reconcile for employer submissions include: Monthly employer declarations submitted (PAYE, SDL, UIF and ETI); Payments made (excluding penalty and interest payments); and IRP5/IT3(a)s generated. The chances of an extension of Friday's deadline are slim. Sars only has a month to process the information and start pre-populating tax returns for the start of the July filing season. 'If one deadline moves, it moves everything and that causes its own complications,' says Retief. Another system glitch that frustrated taxpayers and practitioners last month was the inability to upload documentation relating to value-added tax (Vat) returns. 'As far as I am aware the issues were addressed.' ALSO READ: Sars records increase in taxpayers who filed returns Refund delays André Daniels, head of tax controversy and dispute resolution at Tax Consulting SA, says taxpayers and tax practitioners alike are reporting a surge in delayed refunds. Sars is citing 'pending verifications or audits' – but only after a manual status check is performed. 'This is not a procedural glitch – this is a systemic failure with serious financial implications,' Daniels said in a recent statement. In many cases Sars has requested further verification documentation without issuing any formal notification through eFiling or via email. 'Making matters worse, there is often no link available to upload the required documents because no verification or audit letter was ever generated.' Daniels says even if the link is provided and documentation uploaded, additional assessments are subsequently issued, stating that the 'burden of proof' was not discharged. His advice to taxpayers is to act proactively and to confirm whether any verifications or audits have been raised behind the scenes. He also advises taxpayers to use the dispute resolution steps to correct assessments where appropriate. Retief notes that Sars is constantly upgrading, adding and changing its systems and programmes as part of its modernisation and digitalisation drive. It is normal that there will be glitches. Sars is generally alerted to problems and issues through the different representative bodies. 'I know there were issues, but Sars was quick to respond and solve some of it.' This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
7NEWS
08-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
‘Life-changing' Sydney-based clinic is transforming the skin of thousands of shoppers with common skin concerns
Seasonal change can cause havoc on our skin, increasing dryness, irritation, sensitivity, and even acne. While switching up a skincare routine can help boost your skin barrier, seeking a long-term solution is going to be your best bet for keeping a complexion looking happy and healthy. That's why hundreds of shoppers are rushing to book an appointment at renowned Sydney-based skin clinic, SDL (Sydney Dermal Lounge). With three salons across the city, SDL is 'leading the bare skin movement,' providing a wide range of effective skin treatments that can help to improve the appearance of many common skin concerns. Because let's face it; a difficult skin journey can leave you feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and low on confidence. Whether you're battling acne, redness, a dry or irritated complexion, SDL founder Savannah Lee made it her mission to create a clinic that offers effective, medical-grade solutions. 'I opened my first clinic when I was 26, with an 18-month-old on my hip and a vision that felt so much bigger than me,' Savannah tells Best Picks. 'At the time, everyone was opening laser hair removal clinics. It was the safe bet. The easy sell. But I wasn't interested in shortcuts or trends. I had already spent over a decade in the industry managing some of Australia's leading laser and cosmetic clinics and I had seen the gaps up close.' Instead, SDL provides a range of 'life-changing' treatments across skin health, skin correction, maintenance and hair restoration for 'real results'. Combined with expert-lead guidance from a team who have gone through their own skin struggles, the Sydney-based clinic ensures that each and every shopper leaves feeling comfortable and confident with their skin. Offering more than just a 'quick fix,' SDL is home to many popular treatments including HydraFacial and AviClear laser. Savannah says that 'if something doesn't deliver results — we don't offer it. We're known for skin correction that works.' If you're ready to kickstart your skincare journey, SDL offers an in-depth 60 minute skin consultation to discuss any skin concerns and indentify which result-driven products and treatments are best suited. 'I wanted to focus on skin. Not just treating it. But correcting it properly and with full certainty,' she adds. With nearly 80,000 followers on Instagram and dozens of in credible before and after shots, it's no surprise that shoppers are rushing to book an appointment. SDL is one of the few clinics in Sydney to offer AviClear, a laser treatment for treating acne. It has minimal downtime with 30-minute sessions, done in series of three, spaced four to six weeks apart. 'It's not just about clearing skin — it's about doing it safely and long-term.' 'We see so many clients who've been through harsh medications, antibiotics, and even multiple rounds of Accutane — only for the acne to return. And the side effects? Gut issues. Mood swings. Hormonal imbalance.' 'The full course is around $3,000 — and while that might sound like a big number up front, it's often less than what people spend over the years trying to control acne through skincare, prescriptions, supplements, and coverups.' Shoppers who have visited SDL have given the clinic rave reviews. 'The ladies at Sydney Dermal Lounge are so friendly and professional. They always make me feel gorgeous and relaxed after my treatments. Love their work and totally recommend,' one shopper commented. 'THIS IS THE PLACE TO VISIT! I am a mature aged person and I visit for ant-aging laser skin tightening and I undergo pigmentation treatment. I feel and look 20 years younger,' another wrote.
India.com
27-04-2025
- Science
- India.com
Pioneering Innovation in Electrical Failure Analysis Done By Amrutha Sampath
Amrutha Sampath (File) Amrutha Sampath is an accomplished electrical failure analysis engineer based in Austin, Texas. With a strong educational foundation, including a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Technology in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, India, Amrutha combines academic excellence with practical expertise. Her professional journey has been marked by significant contributions to failure analysis research and techniques, where she has honed her skills in advanced electrical isolation techniques, root cause analysis, and innovative problem-solving approaches. Q 1: What motivated you to enter into electrical failure analysis? A: I find electrical failure analysis to be a beautiful field to order my solving of intricate puzzles. I discovered this passion of wanting to know the 'why' behind technology failures during my research experiences at Nanyang Technological University and from the Indian Institute of Science. The field marries neatly all my interests of electrical engineering, materials science, and analytical problem-solving. That each case presents a unique challenge is what most excites me-it's almost like being a detective for technology because it would mean that the root cause can be discovered to avert such failures against the reliability of the products. Q 2: Could you tell us about your approach to root cause analysis for complex semiconductor issues? A: My method of root cause analysis is a well-structured and well-rounded one. I start by mapping out the failure in terms of all the data so collected within the failure such as the testing conditions, the environmental factors surrounding the time of failure, and the performance history. After which, I carry out several advanced electrical failure isolation techniques such as LADA, SDL, OBIRCH, and LVP for suspect circuit analysis. Throughout the whole process I keep communicating with the stakeholders. What sets me apart from others is the ways I use to demystify somewhat complex technical findings through the knowledge of design and solid state devices, which means driving design improvements to avoid similar future failures. Q 3: How do you handle particularly challenging failure analysis cases? A: Develop and design new test setups for the isolation of stuck-at-reset hard failures, which are said to be the most difficult to isolate, whilst normal techniques do not work at all. This involves a deep understanding of device behavior, how one IP interacts with another, and creative problem solving. At this point, I teamed up with design teams to understand the expected behavior, designed innovative trigger schemes, and combined the triggering methodologies with various isolation techniques in novel ways to achieve the goal. Not only did this lead to successful root cause identification; the methodological approach also spawned a publication recognized as one of the best papers at the ISTFA conference. Q 4: How do you approach mentoring and knowledge sharing in your field? A: Of course, knowledge sharing is part of my professional self. Actively mentoring junior engineers in both technical tales of failure analysis and critical thinking involved in it is majorly part of this identity. To students seeking internships-and career-related advice, I've written blogs and articles about my experiences. I also review technical papers for ISTFA, which keeps me updated while contributing to the quality of research in our field. Empathy is my belief, and that's why I'm involved with Women in Electronics Failure Analysis, organizing networking events brokering inclusion and growth in my profession. Q 5: How do you balance technical precision with effective communication when presenting your findings? A: Striking the right balance between precision and clear communication in failure analysis is essential. While presenting my findings, I ensure that I'm tailoring my message to my audience, using relevant technical depth for engineering teams while focusing on impacts and solutions for management. I work the latest technologies like classical aids and simplified models, from a component of stickers to the invention of some models with actual objects in an effort to bridge the gap between technical complexities and practical understanding. Participating in conferences such as ISTFA has helped improve the practice of breaking down complex points to be more easily comprehensible. The essence of the whole exercise is that everyone should understand not only the what but also the why and what ought to follow from it. Q 6: What role does innovation play in your approach to failure analysis? A: Innovation is the core of failure analysis effectiveness, with the continuous advancement of semiconductor technology. Besides, I am constantly evaluating and introducing new optimized ways of working into our analysis workflows. For instance, secure IP analysis where the traditional ways of doing things were limiting were an interesting challenge for me and my team, and so the development of new methodologies was started, to provide an equilibrium between analyzability and hardware security concerns. This approach was later nominated for best paper at ISTFA. I think curiosity coupled with the openness to new ideas is critical-allowing me to realize transformational breakthroughs by working with conventional methods that do not just work in my favor. Q 7: How do you see the field of electrical failure analysis evolving in the coming years? A: The current status is one of rapid change as the field advances with semiconductor technologies. As devices become far more complex and miniature, increasingly sophisticated analysis techniques will be needed. Analysis, I believe, will make even greater use of AI and machine learning to improve prognosis, drawing upon historical failure data. Security will increasingly raise concerns, consequently, creating us a position to render guaranteeing analysis while protecting very sensitive material. Also, FA will shift towards being much more of a preventive, proactive effort in the earlier phase of the design cycle-averting issues and only resorting to superior diagnostics to understand different types of failure mechanisms, rather than looking at simpler culpable mechanisms to blame failure according to traditional methods. The real need to merge failure analysis with design for test methodologies will gain in importance among technical matters. Q 8: What advice would you offer to someone looking to break into semiconductor failure analysis? A: To the novice entering the profession, I would recommend getting a firm grounding during their studies, particularly in semiconductor physics and circuit design fundamentals. Such experiences, especially if gained in internships or such other lab work as exposes one to actual characteristics equipment, will be priceless. Do sharpen the technical and focus equally on the communication aspect since one has to get those complex findings across clearly. And remain curious; keep learning – this is a field that does not stop evolving, with advanced technology and techniques continually being introduced. Last but not least, try forming a professional network with such organizations as ASM International or IEEE or EDFAS Students and Young Professionals (SYP) to make that connection to mentors and opportunities for professional growth with the experienced professionals in the field. Q 9: What do you do to maintain a work-life balance while being busy with such an exciting technical field? A: It takes conscious effort and intentionality to balance work and life in a technical demanding field. I am alone on work hours and set boundaries into personal time. For example, I am part of cultural and community organizations like Asian Cultural Team and Women in Technology that give me opportunities to volunteer and network with other people outside of work, broadening perspectives. I have also found community service and leadership opportunities in these organizations to boost my professional performance by developing complementary skills while combating burnout. It is about understanding that the excellence one would want to sustain requires periods of rest and diversions into a variety of things – something I encourage team members to whom I serve as a mentor to do as well. Q 10- What could be the long term vision of someone in the semiconductor industry? A: I envision myself as a leader who can bring out innovation in failure analysis to deal with the tough challenges afoot in advanced semiconductor technologies. I shall make an effort to introduce cross-tagging methodologies between failure and design engineering for creating feedback loops that improve reliability from the very early stage of design, an area of marked interest. I want to work on new techniques for analysis of secure IPs which allow for security intact while being debugged effectively. While technically enriching, I wish to grow as a source of responsibility that will be involved in mentoring the forthcoming generation in Tech. I also wish to take part in organizations like Women in Electronics Failure Analysis to promote diversity in our field. And ultimately: to bring about the advancement of technology and life in technology together via their industry standards and best practices. About Amrutha Sampath Amrutha Sampath is a highly qualified Electrical Failure Analysis Engineer skilled in advanced Electrical Fault Isolation techniques and root-cause analysis. Holding degrees from Texas A&M University and the National Institute of Technology, Trichy, Amrutha has demonstrated great problem-solving expertise in semiconductors and made contributions to industry knowledge. Her work was recognized through nominations for Best Papers at ISTFA in 2006 and 2007, and she received the coveted NIT-Tiruchirappalli Best Outgoing Student award for brilliant research potential and exemplary leadership abilities. Outside her technical expertise, Amrutha is deeply committed to mentoring, community service, and alliances to promote diversity in technology through her associations with Employee Resource Groups as well as Women in Technology and other professional organizations.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Telescope Innovations Presents Results of Second Fiscal Quarter 2025
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 23, 2025) - Telescope Innovations Corp. (CSE: TELI) (OTCQB: TELIF) (FSE: J4U) ("Telescope Innovations", "Telescope", or the "Company") a developer of advanced technologies and services for the global pharmaceutical and chemical industries, reports financial results for the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2025 (Q2). The Company generated revenues of $1.0 million during this quarterly period, and an adjusted EBITA loss of $0.4 million. Telescope continues to strategically reinvest revenues to drive operational growth, and financial results are consistent with management's budget expectations and FY 2025 targets. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2025 All values are represented in CAD. Revenues of $1,004,121 (versus $686,205 for the comparable period in FY 2024) Expenses of $1,717,470 (versus $1,277,418 for the comparable period in FY 2024) Adjusted EBITA loss of $441,837 (versus loss of $325,488 for the comparable period in FY 2024) OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FLAGSHIP PRODUCT EXPANSION INTO CHINA, AND FIRST USER FORUM HOSTED BY METTLER TOLEDO. Telescope and their global distribution partner, Mettler Toledo, launched the distribution of Telescope's DirectInject-LC™ product in China. The Company also executed several product demonstrations at large accounts in expanded geographic markets, to cadvance the commercial adoption already established in the US, Europe, and Japan. In addition, Mettler Toledo hosted the first DirectInject-LC™ user forum to capitalize on and expand the product's momentum. This seminar was attended by over 200 prospective and active customers, and featured speakers from AstraZeneca, Genentech, and Takeda. These speakers presented the advantages of deploying DirectInject-LC™ within their R&D pipeline, while Telescope also presented the product's features and best practices to expand customer awareness and skill. PUBLICATION ON ACCESSORY PRODUCT TO DIRECTINJECT-LC. A new White Paper released by Mettler Toledo with Telescope CTO, Jason Hein, as a co-author, highlights the co-development of a sampling filter accessory to DirectInject-LC™ product, named the EasyFrit. This add-on enhances process understanding for crystallization chemistry and other heterogeneous processes, broadening the platform portfolio and application scope of Telescope's instrument, and thereby enhancing the market appeal of DirectInject-LC™. EasyFrit commercialization is also another example of Telescope's technology leadership and ability to develop advanced analytical tools that are readily deployed in the marketplace TEAM GROWTH BY 33% AND PROGRESS ON COLLABORATION WITH PFIZER FOR SELF-DRIVING LAB ("SDL") DEVELOPMENT. The combination of a close collaboration with Pfizer scientists and a strong financial contribution has enabled excellent progress on this project. Telescope's SDL uses artificial intelligence, advanced process analytical technology, and robotic automation to autonomously perform chemistry research. SDLs can optimize material properties and chemical synthesis methods up to 100x faster than traditional research methods, reducing the time and cost of developing new pharmaceuticals. To support the SDL Project, Telescope has expanded its team by 33% over the past six months, strengthening its expertise in chemistry, chemical engineering, robotics, and AI-driven automation. This growth supports the Company's ability to scale SDL platforms and meet the rising demand for automated research solutions in high-value chemical and pharmaceutical industries. SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF BRINE-TO-BATTERY PROGRAM FOR PRODUCTION OF >99% PURE BATTERY RAW MATERIALS. Over the past year, Telescope Innovations' proprietary ReCRFT™ recrystallization technology has produced battery-grade (>99% pure) lithium carbonate from a wide variety of North American lithium-containing brines. Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) eluates were obtained from various producers with lithium brine projects across Canada and the US, including potential suppliers and customers for the eventual commercialization of the ReCRFT™ process. ReCRFT™ collapses the lithium carbonate refining flow sheet, reducing these costs to enable a sustainable, on-shore supply of battery raw materials. CTO HONOURED WITH 2025 R.U LEMIEUX AWARD. Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Professor Jason Hein, has been granted the prestigious 2025 R.U. Lemieux Award by the Chemical Institute of Canada. This award recognizes Professor Hein's contributions to organic chemistry and his pioneering research into reaction mechanisms and process development. His recognition with the R.U. Lemieux Award is a testament to his impact on both academic and industrial chemistry. Dr. Hein continues to lead Telescope's technology development team to enhance advanced analytics, robotics, and artificial intelligence platforms for process chemistry. "This quarter's results reflect disciplined execution of our strategy and the strength of our partnerships," commented Henry Dubina, Telescope CEO. "By advancing our enabling technologies and deepening our industry presence, we're building lasting value in markets where innovation drives demand." Readers are encouraged to review the full financial statements and accompanying management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, both of which are available under the profile for the Company on SEDAR+ ( About Telescope Telescope is a chemical technology company developing scalable manufacturing processes and tools for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry. The Company builds and deploys new enabling technologies including flexible robotic platforms and artificial intelligence software that improves experimental throughput, efficiency, and data quality. Our aim is to bring modern chemical technology solutions to meet the most serious challenges in health and sustainability. On behalf of the Board, Telescope Innovations Corp. Henry Dubina, Chief Executive OfficerE: hdubina@ The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
