FAQ: SARS tax season – How does the auto-assessment work?

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has confirmed that the start of the 2023 tax season will be on Friday, 7 July at 20:00.

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This year’s tax season will run until Monday, 23 October 2023 for individual taxpayers, and until Wednesday, 24 January 2024 for provisional taxpayers.

As reported by The South African website, SARS will once again use its popular auto-assessments in 2023 which have proved successful in recent years for handling less complex tax returns.

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However, there has been one major change.

Last year, taxpayers had 40 days to file a return if they were not happy with their auto-assessment.

In 2023, SARS is giving those unhappy with their assessment until the due date of 23 October 2023.

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According to the SARS website, SARS will be starting its auto-assessments from Saturday, 1 July.

Taxpayers will be notified by SMS or email if they were selected to receive an auto-assessment.

Taxpayers who do not receive a SMS or email must submit their Personal Income Tax Return (ITR12).

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FAQ TO HELP MAKE TAX SEASON STRESS-FREE

When will SARS issue Auto-Assessments?

This year from 1 July 2023 SARS will again issue auto-assessments to taxpayers whose tax affairs are less complicated.

If you are in agreement with your auto-assessment, then there is no need to “accept” the assessment.

How is Auto-Assessment different this year (2023) from last year (2022)?

Last year you had 40 days to file a return if you were not happy with your auto-assessment, but this year SARS are giving you until the due date of 23 October 2023.

If an auto-assessment has been issued after 23 October 2023, the 40 business days will start on the date of the notice of the assessment.

How does the Auto-Assessment work?

SARS receives data from employers, medical schemes, banks, retirement annuity funds, and other institutions.

This data is used to calculate your tax assessment.

If SARS is satisfied that the data and tax calculation is correct, it will issue the assessment to you via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.

At the same time, SARS will also send you a message via your preferred channel of communication (like SMS or email) to let you know that your assessment on eFiling or SARS MobiApp is ready for you to view.

What must I do when I receive my auto-assessment?

Log onto eFiling or the SARS MobiApp and view your assessment. You will be able to see all the data SARS used to calculate your assessment.

If you are in agreement with the assessment, then check if a refund is due to you or if you owe SARS.

If a refund is due, then there is nothing more you have to do – you can log out of eFiling or MobiApp and wait for the refund, which you can expect within approximately 72 hours / 3 days, provided your banking details with SARS are correct.

If you owe SARS, then make the payment via eFiling or SARS MobiApp and EFT or before the payment due date. The payment due date of the amount owed to SARS is displayed on the “Notice of Assessment” (ITA34).

If you are not in agreement with the assessment, you can access your tax return via eFiling or SARS MobiApp, complete the return, and file it by the filing season due date (23 October 2023).

If you are not in agreement with the auto-assessment, you can complete and file your tax return from 7 July 2023 at 20:00 onwards until 23 October 2023, by visiting eFiling on www.sars.gov.za or via the SARS MobiApp. You can download MobiApp from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Huawei App Gallery.

How do I know the data is correct?

You can view your data in detail, as follows:

1. Login onto eFiling
2. Select the “Third Party Data Certificate” search button on the menu bar.
3. Submit/search for any certificate that you wish to verify.
4. Select the certificate type in question.

What if tax is due to SARS (I’m owing SARS)?

If your assessment shows that you owe tax to SARS, it is important to make payment as soon as possible to avoid interest. The payment due date of the amount owed to SARS is displayed on the “Notice of Assessment” (ITA34).

The easiest way to make a payment is to log into eFiling or SARS MobiApp and schedule the payment there.

However, you can also make payment at any branch of Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and Capitec, or make an electronic funds transfer (EFT) using the standard drop-down listing of pre-loaded beneficiary IDs provided by the bank. The beneficiary reference is the Payment Reference Number (PRN) listed on your “Notice of Assessment” (ITA34).

By when must I file a tax return?

If your return has been auto-assessed, you are not required to file a tax return.

If you agree with your auto-assessment, you do not need to do anything further.

If you are not in agreement with the auto-assessment, you can complete and file your tax return from 7 July 2023 at 20:00 until 23 October 2023, by visiting eFiling (www.sars.gov.za) (or via the SARS MobiApp.  You can download MobiApp from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Huawei App Gallery.

If you are not part of the auto-assessment process you can complete and file your tax return from 7 July 2023 until 23 October 2023, by visiting eFiling (www.sars.gov.za) or via the SARS MobiApp.  You can download MobiApp from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Huawei App Gallery.

What will happen if I do not file my return by the due date?

It is important to understand that filing a return post the due date of 23 October 2023 will attract penalties.

I don’t see my IRP5 on my return?

If you have requested your IRP5 or IT3(a) certificate from your employer / ex-employer and the employer has failed to provide such, you can book a virtual appointment, dial USSD *134*7277# and select option 4 (e-booking) or call 0800 00 7277 to book a branch visit for advice on the next steps.

You will be required to provide the following documentation:

• All payslips issued by the employer for the year of assessment in question.
• Bank statements to show the movement of salary into your account from the employer, and if applicable a copy of a service contract.
• Name and contact details of the employer; and
• Physical address of the employer.

To secure an appointment you can access the SARS digital channels; SARS Online Query System (SOQS) on the SARS website, SARS MobiApp, and SARS eFiling.