12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off in South Africa

12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off in South Africa will help you greatly as it’s tax return season in South Africa and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has begun collection.

It is advisable for taxpayers to begin the process early to increase their chances of getting a refund on their taxes.

For the year 2023, individual taxpayers have until October 23 to evaluate and file their income tax returns.

12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off in South Africa

Whether you are used to the process or new to it, we believe the following 12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off will equip you with additional information and help to further simplify the submission process this year.

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

1. Log on to the SARS eFiling website:

In the process of filing your tax return for the year 2023, it is essential that you first log on to the SARS eFiling website and register. Using statements of accounts from your employer, retirement annuity fund, investment manager and other admissible service providers, the system creates your income tax return form (ITR12) for you.

2. Upload your documents:

You will need to upload some relevant documents such as your bank statement, a copy of your proof of ID, your current IRP5/IT3(a) income tax certificate, and proof of your residential address.

3. Other documents that you might need:

Depending on your tax needs, below are some of the additional documents that you might need for the submission process:

A Medical aid tax certificate.

A statement of earnings outside your salary.
Complete information about your vehicle.
A Retirement annuity tax certificate.
Your IRP5/IT3(a) tax certificate.

4. Get an income tax reference number:

This is a 10-digit number on your IRP5, which you can generate by logging on to the SARS eFiling website.

5. You can file your 2023 tax return on your phone:

Using the SARS MobiApp, you can easily file your 2023 tax return on your mobile phone. Just download the app, click REGISTER, complete your ITR12, then click SAVE and submit.

6. Watch out for scammers:

Be careful so you don’t fall victim of tax return scams. Keep in mind that SARS will never request your banking details or tell you to open an unsecured link. Be wary of fraudsters!

7. Only file your tax return if you have to:

According to SARS, submission of a tax return is not obligatory upon you if you’ve been working with one employer for the whole tax year and you earn below R500 000 yearly. However, if you changed employers during the tax year or earn any additional money other than your salary, you will need to submit a tax return.

8. You can file your 2023 tax return physically:

If you don’t want to file on the website, you can visit one of the SARS branches where an agent will assist you. Ensure to book an appointment and bring with you the necessary documents.

9. If you need tax relief:

Thanks to the Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP), an initiative by SARS, taxpayers who have a history of not filing their tax return can get help, if they reveal their past mistakes.

10. How to lay a complaint regarding your tax return:

If you have one complaint or the other regarding your tax return, you can send an email to complaints@taxombud.gov.za or call 0800 662 837. Ensure to give all the information needed and include all supporting documents.

11. You can keep track of your tax return’s status:

This can be done online if you follow these simple steps:

Locate “My Tax Status Dashboard” on SARS eFiling website.
Select if you’re an individual, tax practitioner, or registered representative.
Enter your ID, your personal details and income tax number.
Confirm your details with an OTP.
Then the status of your tax return will be shown to you.

12. Contact the SARS help desk:

If you have questions or complaints regarding your tax filing, you can always reach out to SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 or visit www.sarsefiling.co.za.

All queries, including those to receive your individual tax number, the changing of banking details and how to reset your password can be done via the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 (SARS). The centre is open between 08h00-17h00 (excluding weekends and public holidays). Or go to www.sarsefiling.co.za to resolve these issues online.

In summary:

To ensure a smooth filing of your 2023 tax return, ensure to bear these 12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off in mind.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained herein is general and is not intended, and should not be taken, as legal, accounting or tax advice provided by Taxmobile.Online Inc to the reader. This information remains strictly the opinion of Taxmobile.Online Inc.

The reader also is cautioned that this material may not apply to, or suitable for, the reader’s specific circumstances or needs, and may require consideration of other tax factors if any action is to be contemplated. The reader should contact his or her Tax Advisers before taking any action based on this information.

All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, retransmitted or otherwise redistributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including by photocopying, facsimile transmission, recording, rekeying, or using any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Taxmobile.Online Inc.

DISCLAIMER

Table of Contents

12 Tips to Putting Your 2023 Tax Off in South Africa

1. Log on to the SARS eFiling website:

2. Upload your documents:

3. Other documents that you might need:

4. Get an income tax reference number:

5. You can file your 2023 tax return on your phone:

6. Watch out for scammers:

7. Only file your tax return if you have to:

8. You can file your 2023 tax return physically:

9. If you need tax relief:

10. How to lay a complaint regarding your tax return:

11. You can keep track of your tax return’s status:

12. Contact the SARS help desk:

In summary: