Tech savvy consumers will benefit from new software tax tools that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will launch for this tax filing season, which begins this week and ends in November. Those who submit their tax return online will be able to engage with SARS via the internet, their smart phone or tablets.
If you have trouble submitting your tax return but don’t want to go to a SARS branch to raise a query you can make use of SARS’ ‘Help-You-eFile’, which allows their agents to guide you over the internet while you are working on your eFiling profile. Tutorials on how to submit your Income Tax Return (ITR12) and scanning supporting documents are available on YouTube as well.
Users will also be able to file their individual income tax return via SARS’ mobisite through their cellphones. SAR’s guide said that users who go to www.sarsefiling.co.za with their mobile phones will be recognised and automatically routed through to the mobisite. Users with tablets and smart phones will also soon be able to make use of SARS’ eFiling App and submit their tax returns.
Taxpayers who still want to submit their tax returns manually by posting it or dropping it off at SARS’ drop box will have till the 28 September to complete their tax return. If you choose to complete your tax return in writing then you must call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 or visit a SARS branch and order your ITR12, which will then be posted to you.
Electronic submissions at SARS branches as well as those completed online can be submitted up until the 23 November. Meanwhile, provisional tax payers who submit their returns via eFiling have until the 23 January 2013 to submit their return.
Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, warned this week that there would be consequences, including legal processes and penalties, for those who did not submit their tax returns. SARS expects that over five million taxpayers will submit their income tax returns this year over the next five months. Last year, 4.86 million individuals and trusts submitted their tax return on time – 23% higher than the previous year.
SARS introduces new tax tools
Recent Articles
Featured Travel ban – how to claim for the loss incurred
As with the recent Covid-19 pandemic, governments sometimes issue travel bans to prevent people from travelling to other countries. This becomes even more complicated if you’ve already planned and paid for your trip. Your flights will be cancelled, and you may lose money from cancelled accommodation arrangements. How do you claim for the financial losses incurred due to a travel ban?
How to finance and insure a second-hand vehicle
Buying a second-hand vehicle may suit your budget better than acquiring a new one. But what impact does an older model have on vehicle finance and car insurance? We reached out to specialists in the field to explain what the financial implications are of pursuing a second-hand vehicle.
Reading your loan agreement: look out for this
Many people don’t read their loan agreements. They just sign on the dotted line without realising that they could be signing their lives away. But it’s important to review your loan agreement before and after taking your loan to avoid future setbacks.
Part 1: The difference between good and bad debt
In the first part of our Debt-ucate series we explore the difference between good and bad debt and why debt is, in fact, necessary.
Deals
Udemy online course for R180
Price: R180
When: Until 27 March 2020
Where: Online
Educate your kids for free with Skills Share
Price: Free
When: Daily
Where: Online
Take advantage of payment holidays from Standard Bank and Nedbank
Price: Free
When: From 1 April to 30 June 2020
Where: Nationwide
Our suppliers and companies we review
