Advice from the South African Revenue Service

What to prepare before income tax filing starts

Now is a good time to get your tax matters ready to ensure a smooth filing experience!

• 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.

Auto registration for Personal Income Tax

If you are deemed as required to file a tax return, this year SARS will automatically register you for personal income tax based on reliable data from third party sources.

Taxpayers who meet the below criteria will be considered for auto registration:

• South African citizens and permanent residents

• Tax deducted by your employer and/or IT3 data sources indicate that you are liable to submit a tax return

Once the IRP5 and IT3 certificates have been evaluated and you are deemed as required to file a tax return, SARS will automatically register you for Personal Income Tax and issue an ITA150.

Registration for Personal Income Tax on eFiling

When you register for SARS eFiling for the first time and you do not yet have a personal income tax number, SARS will automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. You must have a valid South African ID number.

There are three ways to register for tax:

1. AUTO REGISTRATION

Auto registration for Personal Income Tax:

• When you register for SARS eFiling for the first time and you do not have a tax reference number, SARS will automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. Note that you must have a valid South African ID.

Easy steps:

1. Go to www.sars.gov.za

2. Select ‘Register Now’

3. Follow the prompts

4. Request a Notice of Registration – it will reflect your income tax registration number

• You can also register for SARS eFiling on the SARS MobiApp and follow the same steps.

2. SARS eFILING

Register through your Employer via SARS eFiling:

• SARS eFiling offers the SARS registration function which allows employers to submit employee income tax registrations to SARS.

3. eBOOKING WITH SARS

Request an eBooking appointment with SARS:

• You must have an appointment first before going to a SARS branch

• The ONLY way to make an appointment if you are NOT registered yet, is to call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 and select option 0 (zero). A SARS official will book the appointment on your behalf.

For more information click here.