Taxpayers urged to meet filing season deadline
Individual taxpayers have until October 23 to file their personal income tax returns before tax season closes.
SARS wishes to thank all compliant taxpayers who have already submitted their Personal Income Tax Returns (ITR12). As most people are aware, the deadline to submit your 2023 ITR12 is October 23.
To remain compliant and avoid penalties, we urge all taxpayers to submit before the deadline.
How to upload or submit supporting documents
SARS may require supporting documents for different reasons during the Filing Season. For example, if your return indicates that you will be verified, or you have been selected for audit. Luckily, submitting supporting documents to SARS is a pretty simple process, especially when using eFiling, the MobiApp or SARS Online Query System (via the SARS website). It is important to note the following:
- Only pdf, doc, docx, xlsx,.jpg, and gif files will be accepted.
- The maximum document size, per upload, must not exceed 5MB.
Top tip: When uploading documents, make sure that the documents are not password-protected.
Making branch or virtual appointments
As you may be aware, taxpayers who have various issues e.g. If they need to change their SARS-registered details such as cellphone numbers and cannot do so online, need to book an appointment with SARS. They can do this by going to the SARS website (www.sars.gov.za) and clicking on the “Book an Appointment” icon. They then complete the online form.
| SARS recently made various changes to the online booking system, including enabling taxpayers to make both walk-in as well as virtual bookings. We are aware that there were various system issues when these changes were introduced over the weekend of 12 August. However, the majority of these have now been resolved and taxpayers can continue to make bookings online. |
| Tax Fraud and Crime
We remind all taxpayers to be vigilant during Filing Season as it is common for people to fall victim to tax fraud. In fact, taxpayers may not even be aware that tax fraud is committed on their eFiling accounts. This could result in their legitimate refunds being paid into fictitious bank accounts or they may have to pay back money that was fraudulently claimed by their “tax helper” if they are ever audited. They will also be held liable for any subsequent penalties for non-compliance. We cannot stress strongly enough: · DO NOT give your eFiling details to anyone other than registered tax practitioners! Anyone asking for your eFiling username and password is NOT a registered practitioner. · Do not accept help from anyone who requires a percentage of your refund as payment. · SARS will never ask you to transfer money to a personal bank account. SARS never charges for any services. The SARS website, www.sars.gov.za has all the information that you need on how to recognise or report tax fraud. This includes hotlines, email addresses and valuable information on Identity fraud, scams, and phishing. Paying Provisional Tax SARS will be hosting a virtual webinar on 24 August 2023 on Provisional Tax to help taxpayers and traders fulfil their tax obligations and remain tax compliant. Provisional Tax is a method of paying one’s income tax liability in advance so that the taxpayer does not have a large tax debt on assessment. It is paid to SARS bi-annually: by 31 August 2023 (first provisional return) and 29 February 2024 (second provisional return). Taxpayers are reminded to submit their provisional tax return (IRP6) on time, otherwise, penalties will be levied. If you want more information on the webinar, please go to the SARS website www.sars.gov.za. If you have questions about Provisional Tax, please send an email to ProvisionalQuestions@sars.gov.za |
