Tax season 2016 is here
Tax Season has grown into an important partnership between government and taxpayers who make a vital contribution to our country’s tax system.
From Friday, July 1, taxpayers can officially commence completing and submitting their 2016 income tax returns.
Tax season has grown into an important partnership between government and taxpayers who make a vital contribution to our country’s tax system.
It represents the single biggest annual engagement between SARS and taxpayers, when more than four million taxpayers submit their income tax returns.
To ensure taxpayers are prepared, SARS has some helpful information to make tax season even easier.
Only those that earn more than R350 000 need to submit an ITR12.
Taxpayers whose total salary for the year is no more than R350 000 may not need to submit a tax return if:
- Their total salary for the year before tax is less than R350 000.
- They only receive employment income from one employer for the full year of assessment.
- They have no other form of income such as car allowance, business income, taxable interest or rent or income from another job.
- They don’t have any additional allowable tax deductions to claim such as medical expenses, retirement annuity contributions and travel expenses.
If there is an uncertainty about who should submit a tax return, taxpayers can get assistance on the 2016 Tax Season webpage on www.sars.gov.za.
SARS at the service of taxpayers
SARS will continue to strive towards providing the best services possible to taxpayers during tax season.
In this regard, the organisation will continue to extend its operational reach across the country.
The ever-increasing SARS footprint now extends to 53 branches nationwide, 21 mobile tax units that service taxpayers in remote areas of the country and increased efficiency at the SARS contact centre.
Taxpayers calling the SARS contact centre who are too busy to be put on hold can request SARS to call them back without losing their place in the queue.
By following the voice prompts, a SARS agent will return calls and provide telephonic assistance.
SARS reminds taxpayers that, even if they are using the service of a tax practitioner or an intermediary, the taxpayer remains personally liable for their own tax affairs and their own compliance.
Taxpayers should ensure the tax practitioner they use is registered and accredited.
Bring correct documents
If you would like to submit your ITR12 easily, have the following documents which are applicable to you on hand if you are eFiling or with you if you are filing at a SARS branch:
- Proof of Income: All the certificates you received IRP5 (employer), IT3(a) (pension or retirement fund, IT3 (b) (investments), capital gain tax and financial statements.
- Proof of identity: ID book, passport or driver’s licence.
- Proof of deductions: All relevant documents such as medical aid, pension and retirement annuity certificates and medical expenses.
- Don’t inflate or understate amounts. Use only accurate information and the correct figures that appear on your various supporting documents when you complete your return.
