SARS shares helpful tax facts
Taxpayers are encouraged to follow these helpfull tips to assist with 2016 submissions
TAX season opens tomorrow (Friday) for Zululanders to start submitting their 2016 tax returns.
The SA Revenue Service said this period 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
Not everyone needs to submit an income tax return. 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, 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.
Avoid long queues by eFiling
Taxpayers are once again encouraged to use SARS eFiling to submit their tax returns as it is the quickest and easiest way to submit a return and is available 24 hours.
To register visit www.sarsefiling.gov.za or visit www.sars.gov.za for information.
eFilers requiring assistance can make use of the free Help-You-eFile service by simply clicking on the Help-You-eFile icon on eFiling and following the prompts to get access to a friendly SARS Contact Centre agent who will help them every step of the way while eFiling.
Recovering forgotten eFiling login details
To receive forgotten login details, eFilers must follow the following steps:
• Visit www.sarsefiling.co.za
• Click on Login
• Click on the question mark
• Request your login details
• SARS will send it to your registered email address or cellphone number
• If you are still stuck? Phone the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 for help.
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
‘Never inflate or understate amounts.
‘Use only accurate information and the correct figures that appear on your various supporting documents when you complete your return.
Deadline Dates for the 2016 Tax Season
• 23 September 2016 – Manual/postal submissions
• 25 November 2016 – At a SARS branch (non-provisional)
• 25 November 2016 – eFiling (non-provisional)
• 31 January 2017 – Provisional taxpayers via eFiling
Fraud Alert
Taxpayers who are concerned about emails or SMS messages claiming to be from SARS should:
• Visit the SARS Scams and Phishing webpage on www.sars.gov.za
• Email phishing@sars.gov.za
• Call the SARS Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870, or
• Call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.
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