SARS announces start dates and details for 2021 tax season in South Africa – what you should know

The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has announced that taxpayers will be able to file their tax returns from 1 July 2021.

The revenue collector added that a significant number of individual taxpayers will be auto-assessed once again this year, and that this process will also start around the same period.

SARS said that the other important dates that taxpayers should be aware of are:

• 1 July to 23 November 2021 – This is the period for taxpayers who file online. Taxpayers who cannot file online can do so at a SARS branch by appointment only.
• 1 July to 28 January 2022 – This is the period for Provisional taxpayers including Trusts may file via eFiling or SARS MobiApp.

Starting July, SARS said it will be assessing a significant number of taxpayers automatically.  “If you accept the outcome you do not have to file a tax return at all,” it said.

SARS said that it auto-assesses based on the data we receive from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other third-party data providers.”

“If you have not yet received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and other third-party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations, you should immediately approach your employer or medical scheme or retirement annuity fund or other third-party data providers to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.”

If you accept the results of your auto-assessment and if there is a refund due to you, the refund will be paid by SARS.

If you owe SARS money, you can make a payment on eFiling, via EFT or the SARS MobiApp by the specified due date on your notice of assessment.

What to prepare before filing starts

SARS said that now is a good time to get your tax matters ready to ensure a smooth filing experience. The tax collector said that taxpayers should prepare the following information ahead of time:

• Make sure that you have received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and any other 3rd party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations
• Reset your eFiling username and password if you have forgotten them.
• Update your personal information such as banking details, address and contact details online on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.

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