Global Courant
The South African Internal Revenue Service (SARS) has published all the details and dates taxpayers need to know for the 2023 tax season, including a change to how automatic assessments will be handled this year.
Last year, taxpayers had 40 days to file a return if they weren’t satisfied with their automatic assessment — for 2023, SARS gives them until the due date of October 23, 2023.
“If an automatic review is issued after October 23, 2023, the 40 business days will begin on the date of the review notification,” it said.
The 2023 income tax season begins on July 7, 2023 and runs through October 23 for individual taxpayers and January 24, 2024 for provisional taxpayers.
Private taxpayers (non-provisional): July 7, 2023 @ 8:00 PM to October 23, 2023 Provisional taxpayers: July 7, 2023 @ 8:00 PM to January 24, 2024
From July 1, 2023, SARS will start with car assessments.
With automatic assessments, taxpayers are notified by text or email if they have been selected to receive an automatic assessment.
Once the notification is received, the next step is to review the automatic review on the SARS MobiApp or eFiling.
If you agree to the automatic assessment
No further action is required. If a refund is due, you can expect to receive it within approximately seventy-two (72) hours, provided that your bank details with SARS are correct. If you owe SARS, you must make the payment before the due date stated on your tax bill (ITA34) to avoid being charged interest on outstanding debts. You can pay via eFiling or SARS MobiApp, among others.
If you do not agree with the automatic assessment
Taxpayers with automatic assessment have until October 23, 2023 to adjust and submit their return via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp if they do not agree with the automatic assessment received.
According to SARS, only people who have been automatically assessed will receive the text or email.
“If you have not received notification from SARS that you have been automatically assessed; you must file your income tax return (ITR12),” it said.
Taxpayers can view, complete and submit their returns via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp from July 7, 2023 at 8 p.m. via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
Taxpayers who cannot file their returns online must make an appointment to visit a branch.
The deadline for filing the tax return is October 23, 2023.
SARS said taxpayers should ensure they have received their IRP5/IT3(a) and other tax certificates such as medical aid, annuity fund and any other third-party information relevant to determining their tax liability.
The group has already pre-populated its systems and taxpayer profiles with this data, but it may be incomplete.
Taxpayers have been urged to double-check their tax affairs to ensure that all records are correct.
Read: Tax Season 2023 – What Businesses Need to Know
