SARS invites taxpayers to make use of e-filing

The 2010 income tax filing season for the few million South Africans who pay tax began this week. Taxpayers can now request and submit their income tax returns to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

As in previous years, taxpayers will again have the option to file their returns electronically via e-filing or at SARS branches, or manually via the post and drop boxes at their local SARS branch.

SARS has already posted income tax return request (ITRR) forms which allow taxpayers who wish to file manually to order a customised tax return from SARS. The tax return will contain only those income and deduction sections relevant to the taxpayer.

The more than 90% of taxpayers who submitted electronically via e-filing or by visiting a SARS branch last year do not need to request a return.

They can simply obtain their customised return on their e-filing profile or visit a branch with all their relevant supporting documents and SARS staff will assist them with requesting and filing their returns.

Taxpayers who earn taxable income of below R120 000 a year from a single employer and who have no further income or deductions to declare besides those identified on their IRP5, are not required to submit an income tax return.

This year, SARS has introduced a range of service and enforcement enhancements as part of its continuous improvements to make it as easy as possible for taxpayers to meet their obligations and as hard as possible for anyone who tries to avoid their responsibilities.