Taxpayers who are auto-assessed but who wish to claim the solar tax rebate must complete their tax return and file it in the normal way. More information on the solar tax rebate is available on the Sars website
The SA Revenue Service (Sars) has announced that 15 July 2024 will be the start of the Filing Season. This is when a taxpayer can manually update their tax returns. However, from 1 July to 14 July, auto-assessments will be run, so don’t be surprised if you start to receive SMSs and emails from Sars.
However, fraudsters will take advantage of these communications and the fact that tax refunds are due. Expect a sharp increase in fake Sars communication and be extra vigilant. Never click on a link in an SMS or email. Rather go to the eFiling website or Sars Mobi App and log in to verify the information. Sars will never ask you to update your banking details via SMS or email.
If your contact details, including an email address and cellphone number, as well as banking details, have changed, update these details on eFiling or the Sars Mobi App. This will make your tax filing and refunds seamless and it will help prevent fraud and identity theft.
What you need to know about auto-assessments
Sars will be auto-assessing around 4.8 million taxpayers. These will be salaried taxpayers who have simple tax returns. An auto-assessment is a pre-populated tax return based on third-party data that Sars receives from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes and retirement fund administrators.
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Even if you do receive a notification for an auto-assessment, you should still go and check your return for accuracy. If items are missing from the auto-assessment, for example, additional rental income that Sars has not captured, you could face penalties.
Taxpayers who are auto-assessed but who wish to claim the solar tax rebate must complete their tax return and file it in the normal way. More information on the solar tax rebate is available on the Sars website at sars.gov.za
Taxpayers who agree with the auto-assessment do not have to do anything. If a refund is due, it will be paid within 72 hours. If tax is due to Sars, the taxpayer must make the payment by the due date.
If a taxpayer disagrees with the auto-assessment, they should make all applicable changes and file their return the normal way via eFiling or the Sars Mobi App on or before 21 October 2024, the closing date for non-provisional taxpayers.
How auto-assessment works:
- You will receive a notification from Sars (via email or SMS) that states that you have a pre-populated income tax return.
- Log into eFiling or the Sars Mobi App and review your assessment. Before accepting the auto-assessment, review the preloaded information to confirm the accuracy of this data. If everything is correct, you don’t have to do anything further. If you owe money to Sars, you must make payment by the due date specified in your assessment. If Sars owes you money, your refund will be processed as normal.
- If any data does not correspond with your original tax certificate, or there is some missing information, immediately get in touch with the relevant entity (it could be your employer, your medical scheme, your retirement annuity fund or some other third party) to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.
- If you choose to edit the preloaded tax return and Sars is not satisfied, your return will most likely be selected for review and verification.
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Box: Filing season dates:
- Auto-assessment notices: 1 – 14 July 2024
- Individual taxpayers (non-provisional): 15 July 2024 – 21 October 2024
- Provisional taxpayers: 15 July 2024 – 20 January 2025
- Trusts: 16 September 2024 – 20 January 2025.
Box: Where to get help
Taxpayers can also contact Sars through the Sars online query system, an easy-to-use platform on Sars’ website.
Additional information in the form of questions and answers can be found on the Sars website Tax Season | SA Revenue Service. Taxpayers can also engage with Sars through the Lwazi Chatbot or the live agent function on eFiling and the Sars Mobi App.
Taxpayers can learn more about how to use Sars’ digital platforms by visiting the Sars TV YouTube channel for detailed video tutorials or by visiting the Sars website.
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