For assistance with income tax returns SARS will be open on Saturdays

To make it easier for taxpayers to comply, SARS branches will be open on Saturdays in October. “We encourage taxpayers to do right, together as each tax contribution enables and builds a capable, democratic state that fosters sustainable economic growth and social development in the interest and well-being of all South Africans,” the tax collector said in the statement.

SARS has reminded taxpayers to bring the necessary supporting documents with them to avoid frustration. According to www.sars.gov.za These include:

• Your banking particulars

• Your IRP5/IT3(a) certificate(s)

• Certificates [IT3(b)] that you received for any investment income

• Details of medical expenses paid by you and not covered by your medical scheme

• Medical aid certificate for details of medical aid contributions made that do not appear on your IRP5/IT3(a) certificate(s)

• Completed confirmation of diagnosis of disability form (ITR-DD), if applicable

• Retirement annuity contribution certificates

• Details of business travel (if you received a travel allowance or want to claim against a fringe benefit for an employer provided vehicle)

• Information about foreign tax credits withheld

• Financial statements, if applicable e.g. business income

• Any other relevant material relating to income you received or deductions you want to claim.

Taxpayers meeting all of the following requirements are reminded that they do not have to file a return:

• Your total employment income for the year before tax is not more than R500 000

• You only receive employment income from ONE EMPLOYER for the full tax year.

• You have no other form of income (e.g. car allowance, business income, and rental income, taxable interest or income from another job).

• You don’t have any additional allowable tax related deductions to claim (e.g. medical expenses, retirement annuity contributions and travel expenses).

Tax Season 2019 closing dates for filing personal income tax returns are:

• 31 October 2019 for provisional and non-provisional taxpayers who visit a SARS branch for assistance with filing

• 4 December 2019 for non-provisional taxpayers, who use eFiling or the SARS MobiApp

• 31 January 2020 for provisional taxpayers who use eFiling.