Verification of Assessment - what now?

Posted 25 September 2019

When SARS has completed their audit, they send a letter called a Verfication of Asssment/Completion Letter. This has the following wording:

VERIFICATION OF ASSESSMENT

We refer to the verification of the assessment for the 20xx tax period. Please note that no adjustment has been made to this assessment. However, in terms of the Tax Administration Act the South African Revenue Service reserves the right to conduct further reviews in ...

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Return Status ‘Filed through Branch’ " What Does This Mean?

Posted 13 September 2019

We’ve recently received many questions from taxpayers asking us if we physically went into a SARS office to submit their returns manually.

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Making payments to SARS

Posted 5 September 2019

You have filed all your outstanding tax returns with SARS and when receiving your ITA34 assessment/ Statement of Account/ Penalty statement you notice that you owe SARS some tax. There are three main options available to you, if you want to make a payment to SARS.

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SARS has done a ‘simulated calculation’ for me " what does this mean?

Posted 19 July 2019

You may have heard the recent announcement from SARS that certain taxpayers who earn less than R500 000 per year don’t need to submit a tax return. However, this only applies under very specific conditions so it is extremely important to understand these fully if you think you may be affected. You can read all about this rule here.

This year SARS are taking things one step further. They ...

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Why is SARS requesting my supporting documents again?

Posted 15 July 2019

TaxTim is seeing cases where taxpayers who had already submitted their documents in early July to SARS are, around ten days to two weeks later, receiving a further two letters from SARS requesting documents again. The one letter is the generic letter with the long list of documents, which was originally issued, while the second, contains a more specific request relating to the taxpayer’s tax return. 

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What should I do if I have no assessment from SARS after having filed a return?

Posted 11 July 2019

Usually SARS issued an immediate assessment, however sometimes they do need to do a further manual check on their side. Often the reason for this is one of the following:

• They are missing an IRP5/IT3a due to you having transferred a lumpsum between any retirement funds. For example if you changed jobs during the year or withdrew your lumpsum from a Pension/Provident or Retirement Annuity Fund then you should have been issued an IRP5/IT3a;
  
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  File by 31 October or face heavy fines and potential legal action!

  Posted 11 October 2018
  
  
  
  With the tax season shortened this year by 3 weeks, the deadline to file by 31 October is just around the corner. SARS announced that it will be clamping down on taxpayers who miss the deadline to submit their tax return. Besides stating that they will impose monthly fines for late tax returns, they have even gone so far as threatening criminal prosecution and time behind bars for unpaid tax debt, just as many of us have witnessed with the recent celebrity headlines....
  
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  Why have I received a smaller tax refund from SARS this year?

  Posted 23 July 2018
  
  
  
  

  We receive many queries from confused taxpayers who are disappointed to see their tax refunds are smaller than the refund received last year.
  
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  What to expect after submitting your tax return to SARS

  Posted 23 June 2018
  
  
  
  As soon as tax season opens in July, many taxpayers rush to submit their ITR12 tax returns as early as possible, eagerly hoping for a nice refund.
  
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  How Do Taxpayers Feel About The Proposed New Filing Deadline?

  Posted 28 May 2018
  
  
  
  On Monday 21st May, TaxTim conducted a simple survey of taxpayers who make use of the TaxTim services about their opinion on SARS’ proposal to shorten the tax filing season by 3 weeks.
  
  An email was sent out containing the following:
  
  “SARS recently published a Draft Notice of who needs to file a tax return and when tax returns will be due for the 2018 tax season. SARS are planning to move the submission deadline 3 weeks earlier to 31st October 2018 for all non-provisional taxpayers. ...
  
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  The Dangers of DIY Tax: How to Avoid Disaster

  Posted 13 November 2017
  
  
  
  Have you ever started one of those ‘oh, this’ll be easy’ Do-It-Yourself jobs, only to find yourself utterly frustrated half-way through wondering - what was I thinking? Pieces of wood cut just a few millimetres short of what they should’ve been. Holes drilled in the wrong places. Screwdrivers in every size except the one you need, missing bolts or the wrong colour paint! These DIY disasters can land up costing you much more time and money to salvage (or in the w...
  
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  Penalty FAQs

  Posted 6 March 2017
  
  What is a recurring penalty? OR What are recurring SARS penalties? OR What does it mean to receive a penalty?
  This is a penalty for non-submission of your returns in previous years. You need to see which returns you have not submitted and submit them ASAP. You also need to make payment to SARS for this penalty, but you would have to call them on 0800 00 7277 or log onto SARS eFiling to get a current statement of account and know exactly what they want from you.
  

  Special Stopper at SARS: What We Know For Sure

  Posted 22 September 2016
  
  
  
  Over the last few weeks, our helpdesk has received an alarming number of queries from taxpayers asking what they can do as their refunds are being held back by SARS due to a special stopper being placed on their account. It’s a complex situation and the only advice we've been able to provide has been for the individual to make contact with SARS directly to try resolve the matter.

  The South African Institute of Tax Professionals (SAIT) issued a statement on Tuesday 20 September 2016 advising that they’re looking into the issue after numerous complaints had been raised...
  
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  What You Need to Know About Changes to the Tax Clearance System

  Posted 23 February 2016
  
  

  Tax compliance makes its way into many aspects of life and business. Perhaps you’re considering applying for a tender, or for a foreign investment allowance to move funds offshore, or even looking to emigrate and leave our shores. These are just a few examples of instances where you may be asked by a third party to provide a Tax Clearance Certificate.

  And until now, the course of action to obtain your certificate has been a tedious one.

  Upon request, SARS would check its records and verify that the taxpayer had filed all required tax returns, paid all taxes, penalties and interest due, before releasing a Tax Clearance Certificate confirming a good standing...
  
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  Thank you Minister - we expected worse! 2015 Budget

  Posted 25 February 2015
  
  New Finance Minister Nene delivers his first budget with some “better than expected” tax increases. The fight against corruption was highlighted with the minster announcing a series of reforms and procedures to be introduced both to curb corruption and make doing business with the state easier. The minister announced that R25bn would be saved in expenditure over the next two years, but R16.8bn is to be raised this year via tax increases and a remarkably large rise in the fuel and road accident fund levies. To be honest, we expected greater tax increases from the minister, thankfully he spared us some of the pain! ...
  
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  What's the delay with getting my SARS Refund?

  Posted 6 August 2014
  
  SARS has typically been quick to refund taxpayers who have filed their tax returns and are due a refund, with money appearing back in their bank accounts smoothly and reliably, often within a day or two.
  
  However since the opening of this tax season on 1 July 2014, the process appears to have changed and suffered a few hiccups along the way. From the queries we have received over the last month from multiple confused taxpayers, it would seem that thousands of refunds were first paid out, then reversed...
  
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  What to Expect after Submitting your Tax Return to SARS

  Posted 23 July 2014
  
  As soon as tax season opens in July, many taxpayers rush to submit their ITR12 tax returns as early as possible, eagerly hoping for a nice refund. After the rush, when nothing happens, they often ask us "Ok I have submitted. What happens now?" In most cases where an income tax refund is due to a taxpayer, SARS pays it out within one or two days. However there are many instances when this does not happen, leaving people feeling unsure as to what is happening with their tax return and tax refund. ...
  
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  Garnishee orders explained: How SARS can deduct penalties directly from your pay cheque and how to stop it

  Posted 14 November 2013
  
  The last days of the month are often the most exciting for employees as they look forward to spending their monthly pay cheques. Unfortunately for many taxpayers anticipation quickly turns to grief when the money they receive in their bank account is suddenly less than they had expected. Stress and anxiety then result in light of impending debit orders and monthly expenses that need to be paid.
  
  Apart from the ordinary deductions that your employer takes off your salary each month - expenses for your benefit such as medical aid or a retirement / pension plan - there is another deduction that can take place unexpectedly: a garnishee order...
  
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  Important Information for Surviving the SARS Outbreak

  Posted 18 June 2013
  
  From the office of the Center for Dis-Ease Control, 12 Bliksem Straat, Pretoria, South Africa
  
  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INFORMATION
  
  Severe Anxiety from Revenue Services (SARS) is a common affliction affecting millions of South Africans in all major city centres every year. Historically, symptoms begin to present themselves in the winter season from 1 July and continue to increase in severity towards a statistical peak for the epidemic on 22 November every year...
  
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  Why do I need to submit an Income Tax Return if my employer pays my Tax?

  Posted 6 September 2012
  
  A question often asked is, "If my boss pays over my tax then why do I have to do anything?"
  
  If you earn below R160 000 per year, SARS does not require that you complete and submit an ITR12 tax return. HOWEVER SARS will charge you an admin penalty for not submitting a return AND if you don't mention all your deductions you can't maximise your potential refund. So rather submit a return every year and stay tax compliant. With TaxTim it's easy. Remember as well that SARS doesn't know everything about you so you need to tell them to maximise your potential refund! ...
  
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  What to do if your second ITA34 assessment says you now owe SARS money

  Posted 6 September 2012
  
  If you have ever survived a SARS audit, you may have been issued with a "revised assessment" or second ITA34 that doesn't make much sense. It probably says that you now owe SARS some money, despite being due a refund. Don't be alarmed though, if you read lower down the new ITA34 you will find that in fact you are still due a refund, only it is probably smaller than before.
  
  For example:
  
  First IT34A (before audit):
  SARS says: "Your assessment has been concluded and reflects an amount refundable to you of R-16 636.10"...
  
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  SARS is asking for more documents. Are they auditing me?

  Posted 13 August 2012
  
  For most people upon submission of their year-end income tax return, either nothing much will happen or a refund will be due, this being paid back within a matter of days. However in a small number of cases SARS requires extra documentation or proof to be submitted so that they can verify that everything you submitted in your tax return is correct. Don’t be afraid, although many people consider this an “audit” it isn’t nearly as frightening as that and doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. A true audit would be SARS requesting years of past documentation and opening up for examination all your tax affairs from previous years. ...
  
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  How to become tax compliant in South Africa

  Posted 16 May 2012
  
  
  Have you registered as a taxpayer?
  
  Did you know that it is your duty by law to register with SARS (the
  South African Revenue Service) as a taxpayer if you earn above R63 556
  per tax year? By registering and completing your tax returns regularly
  each year, you will become a tax compliant, proud South African. You
  can register for a tax number with SARS in person (at their offices in
  all major centres), or send the required documents by post or email. ...
  
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  South African budget 2012/2013 - "Tax by stealth"

  Posted 23 February 2012
  
  Eagerly anticipating the budget this year and forever the optimist, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan started off well: R9.5bn of individual tax savings and revenue collection up by R10bn from the latest estimates. However, for the individual taxpayer, things went slightly downhill from there... Let’s unpack this a bit.
  
  Not all Doom and Gloom
  
  Ok, ok so maybe I have been too harsh as only certain individuals (the richer ones) will actually be subject to greater tax, the lower end income earners will benefit quite a bit from the new tax changes...
  
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  New tax credit to replace medical aid deductions in post 2012 Tax Year

  Posted 21 February 2012
  
  The 2012 tax year has almost come and gone, and being annual budget time, anxious taxpayers are unsure what to expect. Is there any room to be taxed further? All will be revealed on Wednesday the 22nd, but in the meantime let's focus on the new medical aid tax regime.
  
  Gone are the days of paying your spouse's medical aid and claiming the deduction just because you are in a higher tax bracket. From the 2013 tax year onwards that deduction is no longer allowed. Instead it will be replaced with a tax credit per dependent. "What is the difference?" I hear the average taxpayer ask, and "How does it affect me?" ...
  
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