Here’s what you do if you owe SARS money. Picture: Pixaby.
EFiling opens at 20h00 this evening. SARS says you’ll breeze through tax season 2023 if you’re aware of these changes.
Here’s what you do if you owe SARS money. Picture: Pixaby.
Tax season 2023 starts this evening (Friday July 7) at 20h00. Individual taxpayers have until October 23 2023 to submit their income tax return (ITR12). Provisional taxpayers have until January 24 2024.
First things first, SARS insists you must check if you have been auto assessed before attempting to file your tax return. The revenue service has been sending out auto-assessment notices all week, and if you received one but have not yet acted on it, you MUST NOT file an ITR12.
SARS says you can now check whether they have been auto assessed via the SARS Online Query Service functionality. To do so, click HERE.
These are the responses you’ll see when you access the SARS My Auto Assessment Status query:
If you have not been auto assessed by SARS and you have a straightforward income tax return, we recommend submitting it to SARS eFiling as soon as possible. This way you can get a refund as soon as possible and complete your return before the system comes under strain. (Zolpidem)
ALSO READ: WHAT TO DO if you receive a SARS auto assessment in 2023
SARS also warns that you must not under any circumstance submit your tax return BEFORE the start of tax season 2023 at 20h00 tonight. Doing so if submission of third-party data is not up to date on your return will only confuse the eFiling system, cause delays and jeapordise your refund.
To improve its service in tax season 2023, SARS has initiated a few changes to eFiling that you should be aware of. We’ve collated what we believe are the most relevant ones below:
A person, or the estate of a deceased person, does NOT need to submit an income tax return in tax season 2023 if the following applies:
However, the following exemptions for tax season 2023 apply if:
You can submit your income tax return on your phone via the SARS MobiApp.
Download the app from the following devices.
Apple App Store for Apple devices.
Google Play Store for Android devices.
Huawei App Gallery for Huawei devices.
Once downloaded, simply register, complete your ITR12, save and submit for evaluation.
If you feel you need in-person assistance, an agent at SARS will be able to assist you. To make an appointment to visit a SARS branch, call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 and select option 0 (zero). A SARS official will book an appointment on your behalf.
Alternatively, you can make an appointment HERE. Or send an SMS to 47277 (iSARS) with this information and format: Booking (Space) ID number/Passport number. This SMS service is only available to registered taxpayers. Just be sure to bring along all your supporting documentation.
ALSO READ: TAX RELIEF is at hand for embattled taxpayers in 2023
All queries for tax season 2023, including finding your individual tax number, 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).
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, tax or legal advice. For further details consult the SARS website or get in touch with a tax specialist.