Paying tax can seem like an unnecessary burden to many. Have you ever wondered why you need to give a percentage of your hard-earned money to the government? The answer is really simple: South Africa needs the contributions of its citizens to provide much-needed services such as transport, healthcare, education, welfare, and even our national security. Without the revenue generated by income tax, the government won’t be able to provide these services to the citizens of the republic.
Income tax is the normal tax which workers pay on their taxable income. If you earn income you need to pay income tax. Employers must deduct tax from their workers’ salaries before they get paid, and this is reflected as a line item on the payslip that reads “PAYE”.
Whether your income is above or below the threshold, if you earned income from a single employer and have items like medical aid, pension, or other allowances and allowable deductions, or earn income from multiple employers during the tax year, you need to submit a tax return.
SARS has a free online system that allows taxpayers to submit their own tax returns. Called eFiling, this system gives taxpayers easy access to their SARS-related documentation in a secure online environment. The system is now also compatible with smartphones and tablets, making it more accessible to the broader public.
SARS also offers Taxpayer Education Workshops across the country during the tax season. These workshops cover a range of topics – from understanding the various tax types, to how to remain tax compliant at all times. You can find the schedule for the workshops by going to sars.gov.za and searching “workshops”.
Although you can file your own tax return, it can be tricky. That is why so many people turn to experts to handle their returns for them. But be careful! There are many untrustworthy people who will commit fraud on your tax return by promising you a refund or hijacking your profile.
“When entrusting someone to do your tax return for you, make sure that you have all his or her information,” says Mduduzi Hadebe from Scorpion Legal Protection. “This includes his or her name, surname, and ID number or tax practitioner’s number. This way, if the person commits fraud on your return, you will be able to trace him and clear your name.”
If your personal information falls into the wrong hands, it can cause many problems for you, including you owing money to SARS and you not getting your refund. Scammers will try anything to get hold of your personal information – SMSs, emails, calls and even face-to-face visits. Never give out any information unless you are certain that you are dealing with a SARS official.
Scorpion Legal Protection has a dedicated Tax Help Desk to assist policyholders with their tax returns, ensuring that their policyholders don’t fall victim to heartless scammers.
To find out more about Scorpion Legal Protection, SMS “SUN” to 34453 (Standard SMS rates and Ts & Cs apply) and we’ll call you back.
(Please note: This is only general advice and should not be relied on solely. The law is complicated and there are many influencing factors that can change the above).