Written by Neo
Updated 13 February 2025
TaxTim has TWO exciting competitions in 2025!
COMPETITION 1: Win R10,000 in cash by filing your tax return with TaxTim
How to enter:
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Written by Nicci
Updated 23 January 2025
Step 1:
Log into your SARS eFiling pofile.
Step 2:
Navigate to your Tax Return which was auto-assessed.
You can do this by clicking "Returns" (top menu), then "Returns History" (side menu), then "Personal Income Tax ITR12" , then select the the relevant ITR12.
You will see the
Written by Patrick
Updated 7 January 2025
What is an auto-assessment?
This is an automatic assessment issued by SARS to certain taxpayers.
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Written by Alicia
Posted 18 December 2024
Many taxpayers find the process of filing a correction confusing. This often happens when they submit their tax return after the auto-assessment deadline or attempt to make corrections after SARS has already reviewed or audited their return. To make things clearer, we’ve compiled a list of common questions and answers to guide you through this challenge.
1. How long do I have to submit a correction?
Written by Neo
Updated 12 December 2024
This week we received some questions from our users on retirement fund contributions and the laws that govern it. We hope that this helps you as you start gathering your documents for the new tax season.
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Written by Vee
Updated 3 December 2024
Medical expenses are nothing to sneeze at. Private medical treatment is increasingly pushing the limits of medical aid scheme
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Written by Patrick
Updated 3 December 2024
2025 tax year (1 March 2024 - 28 Feb 2025) same as 2024 tax year, no changes.
Written by Alicia
Updated 2 December 2024
Insolvency is a state of financial distress when a person or business is unable to pay their debts.
Sequestration is a legal process that is used to deal with your financial difficulties and manage your debts. It gives you legal relief from creditors, while the debt recovery efforts of the various companies you owe are put on hold.
Written by Alicia
Posted 22 November 2024
SARS Timelines
SARS operates within specific timelines to comply with the rules outlined in the Tax Administration Act and the commitments detailed in their service charter.
However, these timelines are not easily accessible on the SARS website, leaving many of our users needing to contact the helpdesk for updates on their submissions.
To assist you, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of these timelines:
Auto-Assessment<...
Written by Vee
Updated 21 November 2024
Getting a new business venture off the ground is an equally exciting and stressful time. You’re enthusiastic about getting your new product or service out into the market, but you face quite an administrative process to get it off the ground legally.
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Written by Elani
Updated 15 November 2024
South African expatriates who ignore their tax obligations will soon find themselves facing the wrath of the taxman in the upcoming tax season.
SARS has urged taxpayers including expats (South Africans residing outside the country) to urgently review their tax compliance status or stand the risk of facing major penalties or even jail time.
Originally, individuals were taxed according to a source-based tax system but from 1 March 2001 it has changed so that individuals will be ...
Written by Ursula
Posted 1 October 2024
South Africa rolled out the Two-Pot Retirement System on 1 September, 2024. It applies to any South African who has a pension fund, provident fund or retirement annuity fund.
The Two-Pot Retirement System allows you to access a limited portion of your retirement savings before retirement for emergencies, while the majority of your savings remains "preserved". This means the larger part of your savings must stay invested until you reach retirement.
The goal of South Africa's ne...
Written by Nicci
Updated 30 September 2024
If you're a regular employee (i.e non-provisional taxpayer), your tax filing deadline is 21 October 2024. But, if you do fall into the provisional taxpayer category, your deadline extends to 20 January 2025.
However, it's super important to note that if you were auto-assessed, then your deadline is 21 October 2024 even if you qualify as a provisional taxpayer.
Now, if you're thinking about waiting until the later deadline next year and consider yourself a provisional taxpayer,...
Written by Evan
Updated 11 September 2024
In these uncertain economic times, we all want to stretch our budgets a little further. With a few simple financial habits, anyone can save some extra cash each month. So, if you're ready to start saving but not sure where to begin, here are ten handy tips to get you started:
Keep an eye on where your money goes, and you'll naturally start spending less. Keep a record of your daily expenses and distinguish between needs and wants. Need...
Written by Evan
Updated 11 September 2024
Managing debt can be daunting, but it doesn't have to define or control your life. In South Africa, many individuals face the complex task of effectively handling their finances and debts.
Keep reading, and we’ll equip you with practical strategies and valuable insights to take control of your debt and financial future.
Let's delve into how you can regain control of your debt and finances and pave the way for a brighter future.
Understanding Debt Manageme...
Written by Patrick
Updated 12 August 2024
At TaxTim, your security is a top priority. We've dedicated a section of our website to keep you informed about the latest scams and phishing attempts we come across. We also encourage you to share any suspicious emails you encounter. To report or learn more about phishing, you can email phishing@sars.gov.za or call the Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline at 0800 00 2870. For a list of all current SARS surveys, emails, and SMS communications,
Written by Marc
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:
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!...
Written by Evan
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...
Written by Evan
Updated 1 August 2024
Has SARS asked you for documents that you can't produce, such as an old IRP5 from a prior year that your employer doesn't have, or that simply doesn't exist?
To prove to SARS that you cannot produce the document they want, you will need to produce what is called a sworn affidavit.
This is basically a letter that you must write, that you then take to your nearest police station to get signed and stamped.
Items to include:
1. Your name, ID number and contact details...
Written by Neo
Updated 30 July 2024
After you have submitted your supporting documents to SARS, they have 21 working days to review them, assuming all sufficient documents have been received. Once their review is complete, you will either:
Additional Documents Request
If SARS still requires for documents from you, they will either send ...
Written by Marc
Updated 30 July 2024
Completion Letter
You will receive a Completion Letter if all goes well and SARS is happy with your documents. This means that SARS is not adjusting your Original Assessment and if you have a refund due, it should be paid out in 72 hours (provided you have no tax debt due or outstanding tax returns from prior years). Similarly, if you owe tax to SARS per your Original Assessment, the amount you owe will remain unchanged.
Written by Neo
Updated 30 July 2024
This is a common area of concern for many taxpayers who don’t know why they are asked to submit documents to SARS after they file their tax return.
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Written by Neo
Updated 30 July 2024
After submission of your tax return, when you receive your tax assessment (ITA34) from SARS, you need to scan down to the block “Compliance Information” to see if SARS requires anything further from you. You will see “Selected for audit or verification” with a Y or N (Yes or No) next to it. If you have a N, you can breathe a sigh of relief and consider yourself fortunate that SARS probably doesn’t require anything further from you for this tax year. If you have a Y in the block (and we are seeing this more and more frequently) it means that SARS wants to see evidence or back up which supports the amounts you entered on your tax return....
Written by Evan
Updated 20 July 2024
SARS 2024 tax season dates:
15 July 2024 to 21 October 2024: individual (non-provisional) taxpayers
15 July 2024 to 20 January 2025: provisional taxpayers
If you earn less than R500 000 in a year, and fulfill a series of complicated criteria, you may not have to file a tax return in 2024.
However, we advise you to take GREAT CARE here, and understand your duties properly, because if you don't, you may suffer for it later on.
Here are the top 5 reasons why you should not skip filing your tax return this season:
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Written by Marc
Updated 16 July 2024
When it comes to tax jargon, most people prefer to bury their heads in the sand instead of trying to understand all the confusing terms that tax practitioners use. Taxpayers just want to do their tax quickly and easily, and if they’re due - receive some money back from SARS. A lot of confusion surrounds the process, but by understanding three simple terms you can make tax season a little bit easier.
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