Pay Solutions have smart tips which will assist with your Income Tax Return
Tax Season, you need to submit an ITR12 (which is your Income Tax Return) so we can calculate your tax on your income and the tax-deductible expenses for the assessment year (1 March 2014 – 28 February 2015), which may, in some cases, result in a refund.
Income Tax Return
Tax Tip #1
Don’t file a tax return if you don’t need to
- You only have one employer (but remember if you have two employers or income sources e.g. late spouse / partner pension income, exam markings income, moonlighting income etc you do need to file even if the total is still under R350 000) or
- You have no car allowance or other income (e.g. interest or rent) or
- You are not claiming tax related deductions (e.g. medical expenses, retirement etc) or
- You received interest from a source in South Africa not exceeding –
- R23 800 if you are below the age of 65 years; or
- R34 500 if you aged 65 years or older or
- Dividends were paid to you and you were a non-resident during the 2015 year of assessment.
If you are still unsure if you need to file a tax return, click here.
Tax Tip #2
Looking for your tax number?
- Notice of registration from SARS (only available at a SARS Branch and not via the SARS Contact Centre)
- Employee Tax Certificate (IRP5/IT3(a))
- Income Tax Workpage on eFiling, if you’re a registered eFiler.
Top tip: What else to do if you need your tax number?
Tax Tip #3
No login details. No problem
Forgot your eFiling username and password? Follow these easy steps:
- Visit www.sarsefiling.co.za
- Click on Login
- Click on the question mark icon
- Request your login details
- We’ll send it to your SARS registered email address or cellphone number
Still stuck? Call us on 0800 00 7277 or get more tips here if you have forgotten your eFiling login details.
Top tip: If you’re not registered yet for eFiling, follow our simple and easy steps to register.
Tax Tip #4
Make accurate claims
To avoid penalties, make sure you have the correct documentation and proof for every claim you make.
- Only use info and figures that reflect on your supporting documents
- Use ONLY the amounts reflected on your contribution certificates from your retirement annuity fund, income protection scheme, medical aid etc.
- Make sure you keep an accurate logbook and do not fabricate kilometres travelled
- Don’t inflate the value of your vehicle.
Tax Tip #5
Don’t lie on your tax return
Overstating the number of dependants or expenses for medical claims is a criminal offence.
- Only claim for the actual number of dependants registered on your medical aid
- Don’t overstate your out-of-pocket medical expenses because SARS will ask for your receipts
- Medication that has not been prescribed may not be claimed for.
For more info on Medical rebates, click here.
Tax Tip #6
Don’t hide it. We’ll find it!
We are closing in on undeclared income and overstated expenses.
- Declare all income you received during the year of assessment like rent, interest and income from your part-time job
- If a deduction does not exist – do not claim for it!
Tax Tip #7
Be prepared
Have the applicable documents on hand to complete your tax return, such as:
- IRP5 or IT3(a) certifcates from your employer or pension fund
- Financial statements (e.g. business income)
- Medical aid certificates and receipts
- Retirement annuity fund contribution certificates
- Tax certificates for investment income (IT3(b))
- Completed confirmation of diagnosis of disability form (ITR-DD)
- Information relating to capital gain transactions
- Travel logbook
Remember, if you’re filing at a SARS branch you must bring all the listed documents applicable to you, plus original proof of identity (ID, temporary ID, passport or driver’s licence).
Tax Tip #8
Don’t fall for scams
Don’t be fooled by emails asking for your personal info
- SARS will never request your banking details or personal details in any communication that you receive by post, email, phone or SMS
- SARS will also not send you any hyperlinks to other websites – even those of banks
- There are no links to any bank on this website.
Tax Tip #9
Be ‘tax smart’ and eFile
eFiling is the quickest and easiest wayto submit your return
- Visit eFiling to register and submit your return online
- If you’re an eFiler download the eFiling app and submit your return via your smartphone or tablet
- Need help? Click on the Help-You-eFile icon on eFiling (when filing from your computer) and follow the prompts to get access to a friendly SARS Contact Centre agent.
