Do you have to submit a tax return? Check here to find out

THE new tax season opened on July 1 and although taxpayers are keen to file early in order to quickly get a refund from SARS, they need to first confirm whether they are even legally required to file.

“Once they’ve confirmed this, they should ensure they have all the required supporting documentation before filing,” says Stiaan Klue, chief executive of the SA Institute of Tax Professionals.

Subject to some exceptions, this year certain taxpayers are not required to file a tax return if their total salary for the year (before tax) is not more than R350 000. The tax year in respect of which the returns must be filed is from 1 March 2014 to 28 February 2015.

Klue highlights that the “R350 000 exemption” is not applicable to taxpayers earning income from more than one employer.

“Taxpayers with more than one employer must file, even if the salary is minimal. Those claiming allowable deductions such as medical or business travel expenses are not exempted from filing,” advises Klue.

The most common required documentation a taxpayer must have before filing include:

– An IRP5 issued by the employer

– Proof of medical expenses, ie medial aid certificates and other invoices (if applicable)

– IT3(b) certificate(s) showing interest received (if applicable)

– A travel logbook (if the employee had to travel for business on behalf of the employer)

Klue concludes by advising taxpayers to seek help from the SARS call centre on 0800 00 SARS (7277) if they are uncertain.

Alternatively, taxpayers can seek assistance from a SARS registered tax practitioner.

Important deadline dates for the 2015 tax season are:

30 September 2015 – Manual/postal submissions

27 November 2015 – Submissions at a SARS branch (for non-provisional taxpayers)

27 November 2015 – Submissions on eFiling (for non-provisional taxpayers)

29 January 2016 – Provisional taxpayers via eFiling