Making it easier for you to file an Income Tax Return
#YourTaxMatters: Taxpayers who were not part of the auto-assessment process but are liable to file are still required to file a tax return before the 24 October deadline.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is committed to fulfilling its Strategic Objective 2 ie. “to make it easy to comply”.
As a smart, modern organisation, SARS is continuously modernising its systems and processes to provide seamless online digital services to taxpayers, employers and traders. This has resulted in an enhanced 2022 Individual Filing Season, with a considerable number of taxpayers who have already filed their Income Tax Returns (ITR12).
Filing Season opened on 1 July 2022 with a selected number of taxpayers who were issued with an auto-assessment. Taxpayers who were automatically assessed are not required to submit an Income Tax Return as SARS has automatically filed on their behalf. Taxpayers who were not part of the auto-assessment process but are liable to file are still required to file a tax return before the October 24 deadline.
The Income Tax Returns submission deadlines for individuals must be on or before the following dates:
• 24 October 2022 – your tax return is submitted electronically through the electronic platforms available or with the assistance of a SARS official at the nearest branch to you or manually
• 24 October 2022 – if you are a non-provisional taxpayer, your tax return is submitted electronically via SARS eFiling or Mobi App
• 23 January 2023 – if you are a provisional taxpayer, your return is to be submitted via SARS eFiling or Mobi App.
Taxpayers who fail to submit their tax returns by the relevant deadlines will be liable for an administrative penalty.
Those who have received their auto-assessment and do not agree with the auto-assessment and are unable to file the tax return within 40 business days from the date of the assessment, should provide SARS with reasonable grounds and request an extension of the period (in terms of Section 95(7) of the Tax Administration Act). An extension can be requested via eFiling, the SARS MobiApp or by booking an appointment with a SARS branch for assistance.
SARS has introduced the following digital and online platforms to make it easy to comply:
SARS eFiling:
The quickest and easiest way to obtain an Income Tax Return (ITR12) is to register as an eFiler on www.sarsefiling.co.za, request your ITR12 and submit the completed tax return online.
SARS MobiApp:
Taxpayers who own compatible smartphone devices may install the SARS eFiling App from the App Store (for Apple devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices) or Huawei App Gallery. Once installed, login with your eFiling profile to request and submit the return via the App.
Taxpayers who have forgotten or lost their eFiling username or password can reset it on the SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp. It is particularly important for taxpayers to update personal information such as banking details, address, and contact details, which they can do via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
SARS Online Query System (SOQS):
The SOQS is an easy-to-use online platform that is accessible via the SARS Website (www.sars.gov.za). The SOQS assists taxpayers who wish to raise queries with SARS without visiting a SARS branch, for example: uploading of supporting documents, statement of account, request Tax Compliance Status (TCS) etc.
SARS digital platforms provide reliable and secure services to the taxpayers. These platforms enable them to meet their tax obligations in a simple way from the comfort of their home or anywhere in the world.
SARS endeavours to deliver the best filing experience to ensure increased individual filing compliance.
Regional News
The SARS Gauteng region has set up several “pop-up branches” and points of service for easy access to SARS delivery services and products. This is particularly useful for taxpayers who are far from branch offices and those who find it difficult to get time off to visit the branches, making it convenient and easy to shop and submit.
These include:
> Greenstone Mall, Edenvale: Operating hours, Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00, Saturdays 9:00 to 14:00
> Alberton City Mall, Alberton: Operating hours 9:00 to 16:00 weekdays
> The Glen Shopping Centre, Oakdene: Operating hours Monday to Friday 9:00 to 15:00
> Heidelberg Mall, Heidelberg: Fridays from 9:00 to 15:00 and
> Carletonville Civic Centre: Thursday to Friday at 9:00 to 15:00
> The Gauteng South SARS office is embarking on a campaign to visit all businesses in malls and office parks in the region in order to:
– Assist with any outstanding matters the taxpayer has with SARS
– Confirm registration for all relevant taxes and provide assistance with registration if required.
– Verify the compliance of the entity and the directors/ shareholders
Our teams will identify themselves with a SARS card and leave a short questionnaire that will need to be completed.
Please assist us by cooperating with them. We thank you in advance for assisting us to improve compliance levels and improve our service to you.
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