SARS Commissioner Mr. Edward Kieswetter said, “The submission of accurate personal income tax returns on time is important for a seamless filing season. This year, taxpayers must take control of their own tax affairs to ensure they are aware of their obligations and remain compliant.”

With the words of the SARS Commissioner in mind it is important to have a qualified Tax Practitioner like Basamandla Consulting by your side to assist you to declare accurate personal income tax returns.

Basamandla Consulting assists taxpayer with the complexities navigating the efiling systems, compliance with the Income Tax Act in terms of

  • Declaring in your tax return appropriately
  • Ensuring that you obtain your refund
  • Submission of required documents upon verification or audit by SARS
  • Updating critical information such us your banking details

The following are important things to bear in mind to ensure that you are complaint and submit an accurate tax return.

What are the dates and criteria for the 2023 tax season?

  • Individual taxpayers (non-provisional): 7 July 2023 @ 20:00 to 23 October 2023
  • Provisional taxpayers: 7 July 2023 @ 20:00 to 24 January 2024

 

Auto-Assessment

  • From Friday 30 June 2023, SARS will communicate directly with selected taxpayers by SMS notifying taxpayers of their auto-assessments.
  • Taxpayers can access the auto-assessment through any of SARS’s channels, such as the SARS MobiApp or SARS eFiling, to review and verify the completeness and accuracy of the information that resulted in the auto-assessment.
  • A taxpayer who has been selected for auto-assessment, may choose to accept the assessment outcome without edits, or if there is justification, may choose to edit their declaration, and resubmit it along with the necessary supporting documents.
    • Taxpayers who accept the assessment outcome without any edits, and who qualify for a refund, will receive it directly into their bank account within 72 hours after the notification.
    • Taxpayers who submit an edited declaration will be assessed based on their resubmission. A revised assessment may be issued as set out below. If there is money owing to SARS, it must be paid to SARS’ Bank Account, eFiling or through the MobiApp by the stipulated date.
  • If a taxpayer is satisfied with the auto-assessment, they don’t have to do anything further, contact a tax practitioner such as Basamandla Consulting to assist with your tax return.

What do you need to submit the return?

To submit an accurate income tax return and individual must have the following information:

  • 2023 IRP5/IT3(a) (From your employer)
  • 2023 Medical Certificates (from your Medical Scheme e.g., Discovery, Bonitas)
  • Qualifying medical expenses not claimed from medical scheme (doctor’s prescriptions and invoices)
  • If you have a travel allowance:
    • Travel logbook indicating the opening KM on 1 March 2022
    • Total KM travelled from 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2023. (Business & Private)
    • Business travel details (official business destinations and reason for travel)
    • Vehicle details (Invoice of Vehicle Make, Model, Year manufactured, Cost Price, Registration number)
  • 2023 Retirement Annuity Certificates (from your policies e.g., Old Mutual, Momentum)
  • 2023 Certificates for Interest Income (e.g., Investment with Old Mutual or with bank)
  • Section 18A certificate if you made donation to an NPO during the year ended 28 February 2023
  • For taxpayer who earn rental income from properties under their names, the taxable rental income will be included in their returns for 2023 and the following is required:
    • Updated list of properties used for rental purposes.
    • Rental agreements relevant to the period 1 March 2022 to February 2023
    • Breakdown of monthly rental received from 1 March 2022 to 28 February 2023 – Bank statements where rental payments are received.
    • Rental Expenses from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2023.
      • rates and taxes,
      • bond interest,
      • advertisements,
      • agency fees of estate agents,
      • insurance (only homeowner’s insurance and not insurance for household contents), garden services,
      • repairs in respect of the area let and
      • security and property levies.

 

Where do I file my tax returns?

As a taxpayer, you have the choice of filing your returns via the eFiling site, the MobiApp, or in person at a SARS branch.

  • via eFiling or the MobiApp, Sars agents are available to assist you telephonically.
  • The MobiApp has recently been enhanced to include additional services which can be accessed with or without data or airtime, these include the ability to request an eBooking appointment, confirmation request to determine whether to submit a tax return, the issuing of a Tax Registration Number, and requesting a statement of appoint.