SARS is not paying my refund, they want my old returns!
Updated 4 August 2024
Taxpayers this year are facing a new gripe with SARS when it comes to receiving those well-earned refunds. The current two scenarios are:
- NO AUDIT: A taxpayer files a tax return, gets their ITA34 and does not need to submit supporting documents; or
- AUDIT: A taxpayer files a return and in their ITA34 is requested to submit supporting documents, after which they receives a Completion Letter stating "no adjustment made".
In both these cases a refund should be paid out within 72 hours (if the taxpayer is due one), however thousands of taxpayers still have not been paid their refund. Here’s why!...
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Why is SARS asking me for outstanding tax returns?
Updated 4 August 2024
In 2024, we have noticed that SARS is withholding refunds from taxpayers with outstanding tax returns, sometimes dating back many years. In some cases, SARS is requesting unfiled returns from as far back as 10-15 years ago, going back to when the taxpayer first registered for a tax number.
Block on eFiling submissions older than 5 years
This year, SARS introduced a change to eFiling that has frustrated many taxpayers. Returns older than five years are now blocked from being submitted on individual profiles, prompting a message that these must be filed at a branch.
Don't worry - TaxTim can help...
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Navigating Tax Consequences for Social Media Influencers
Posted 10 April 2024
In today's digital age, social media influencers wield significant influence and often enjoy lucrative partnerships with brands. However, amidst the glitz and glam, it's crucial for influencers to be aware of their tax obligations. In this blog post, we'll explore the tax consequences that social media influencers need to consider in South Africa.
Understanding Tax Obligations
As a social media influencer in South Africa, it's essential to recognize that...
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Individual Tax Rate Tables
Updated 23 February 2024
RATES OF TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS
2024 tax year (1 March 2023 - 28 February 2024) - see changes from last year
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Budget 2021: No Tax Hikes
Posted 25 February 2021
The Minister delivered some welcome news to South Africans yesterday when he announced that plans to hike taxes by R40 billion rand over the next four years, have been scrapped. This is largely attributed to a surge in tax revenue from mines, as well as a faster than expected recovery in VAT collections towards the end of last year.
He went on further to say, that there would be no significant tax increases at all in the year ahead. Contrary to speculation, the much-anticipated Covid-19 vaccination programme will not be funded by tax hikes...
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IRP5 FAQs
Posted 22 February 2021
What is an IRP5?
An IRP5 is the employee's tax certificate that is issued to him/her at the end of each tax year detailing all employer/employee related incomes, deductions, and related taxes. The employee uses it specifically to complete his/her income tax return for a specific year.
Do I need an IRP5?
Yes, you do if you were employed during the tax year.
Can I submit a return without an IRP5? OR Am I able to submit returns without my IRP5? OR Are you able to submit without the IRP5?...
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Do I earn enough to have to pay tax?
Posted 23 April 2020
Why must I pay tax, I don’t earn enough! Will I get a penalty if I don’t disclose all my income to SARS?
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How does Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) work?
Posted 10 April 2020
You may have seen the word PAYE on your IRP5 payslip or heard it mentioned by your employer, but have no idea of its meaning.
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Multiple Employers, Multiple PAYE payments. Yet I still owe SARS?
Posted 9 April 2020
We receive many questions to our Helpdesk from taxpayers who are faced with the following scenario:
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Why don't I get a tax deduction for Out of Pocket Medical Expenses?
Posted 29 February 2020
Tax season always throws up some interesting and confusing calculations, but for many, the most confusing of all is how medical aid contributions and Out of Pocket medical expenses are treated.
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Contract Workers FAQs
Posted 6 March 2017
Contracting Benefits vs Salary?
You will still be able to claim deductions for medical, travel and RA directly regardless of how you are earning income.
Contract worker and the tax effects?
Contractors are taxed if they earn above the threshold. This is the same as a full time employee.
Tax Thresholds?
For the 2018 tax year, anyone under 65 years of age earning above R75 750 will not pay tax.
2017/2018 Budget - The rich are going to pay more, but what does that mean for the rest of us?
Posted 22 February 2017
Personal Tax Rates (rates below)
Individuals across the country, those qualifying above the new tax threshold of R75 750 (previously R75 000) will be paying increased taxes of R16.5bn (previously R5.65bn in actual tax increase) for the next tax year, most of this will be for high income earners, however. Taxpayers generally across the board will be earning the tiniest bit more money each year as their tax brackets...
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2016 Budget Speech: Welcome Back, Minister! You Couldn't Have Returned Just for the Free Lunch?
Posted 25 February 2016
The 24th of February 2016 was supposed to be a watershed moment for the Economy of South Africa. The old-new Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, was to deliver his budget for the 2016/2017 tax year and save South Africa from a financial pit-fall in the form of an International Ratings Agency downgrade. The jury is still out on whether or not this is possible. Immediately after the budget was revealed the Rand tumbled 2%, which doesn’t bode well for market sentiment. However, ...
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2016/2017 Tax Tables
Posted 24 February 2016
Income Tax Tables for the 2017 Tax Year - 1 March 2016 to 28 February 2017
Income Tax Thresholds
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SARS Tax Tables 2015
Posted 26 February 2015
Tax Thresholds:
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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 if I am not tax compliant?
Posted 22 May 2014
SARS, in their attempt to promote compliant taxpayers and maximise timely revenue collection, have traditionally imposed penalties for late filing of tax returns. In 2012 SARS upped their game significantly and imposed heavy fines for the following transgressions which still hold to today:
- Failure to register as a taxpayer.
- Failure to inform SARS of a change of address and other personal particulars.
...
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2014 Budget - A move to economic transformation
Posted 26 February 2014
In delivering what could possibly be his last annual budget and perhaps in an election year a very pragmatic one, Minister Pravin Gordhan painted a rather positive picture for the future of South Africa, whilst at the same time warning of the impact the global economy is having on the South African economy. He too, had a “good story” to tell of how well managed the economy is and how we have survived the economic downturn of the last half decade. The minister, like his predecessors b...
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SARS Tax Tables for 2014
Posted 4 July 2013
Tax rates for Individuals and Trusts
Income tax rates: Natural persons (that's you) and special trusts.
2013 tax year: 1 March 2013 - 28 Feb 2014.
Individuals and Special Trusts:
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The effect of the 2013/14 annual budget speech on the average South African taxpayer
Posted 28 February 2013
It was with great enthusiasm that we at TaxTim awaited delivery by the Minister of Finance of his annual budget speech this afternoon, especially after some of the shocks experienced by taxpayers and tax professionals last year. Surprisingly he delivered a very mild budget in terms of individuals with the Minister stating, “No tax rises.” The main focus areas relating to tax in this budget speech were on compliance, tax evasion and big companies seeking to shift their income around the world in order to avoid higher taxes...Read more →
SARS Tax Tables for 2013
Posted 18 January 2013
Tax rates for Individuals and Trusts
Income tax rates: Natural persons (that's you) and special trusts.
2013 tax year: 1 March 2012 - 28 Feb 2013.
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How to manage your tax affairs running a business in your own name as a sole-proprietor
Posted 1 October 2012
South Africa is brimming with entrepreneurs and small business owners who keep the economy running. These people may or may not be earning a regular salary too, but all of them operate a non-registered business in their own name - a so-called sole-proprietorship. In this blog post we will discuss how such a business pays tax, how it is taxed, and how to separate personal and business affairs to make tax deductions correctly.
To register or not to register as a company?
...
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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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I'm retired at 65 years and older - what income tax benefits do I qualify for in retirement?
Posted 23 July 2012
It would seem that SARS often prioritises younger taxpayers who are still working and receive a constant flow of income. However for many older South African taxpayers over the age of 65 who have retired or are still working, there are actually quite a few benefits to enjoy.
Firstly at 65 the tax threshold above which you would even begin paying tax is higher, at R99 056 per year (in 2012 it was R93 150). What's more, those taxpayers who are older than 75 years of age get an even bigger break at R110 889 per year (in 2012 it was R104 261)...
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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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