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Filing Season 2022 for Individuals

/July 14, 2022/ Comments Off

Filing Season 2022 for Individuals

Income tax return filing dates

If you are being auto-assessed, see all the info you need to know on our How does the Auto-Assessment work webpage. If you are not in the auto-assessment group and need to submit a return, see our info for provisional and non-provisional taxpayers on the 2022 Tax Filing Season media release.

Individual filing opening

Taxpayers, your turn to file your tax return starts on 1 July this year. The good news is that a significant number of individual taxpayers will be auto-assessed again this year, and this process will start in July.  No need to call us, we will send you an SMS if you are selected to be auto-assessed.  However, we have made it much easier this year. When you receive the SMS, log into eFiling or MobiApp to view your assessment. If you agree with the assessment there is nothing more to do – if a refund is due, we will pay it or if you owe SARS then please pay us.

Important changes to the auto-assessment this year

If you agree with the auto-assessment, after viewing your assessment, you do not need to do anything further, the return will be regarded as submitted and final.

If you are not in agreement with the assessment, you can access your tax return via eFiling or SARS MobiApp, complete the return, and file it.  This must be done within 40 business days from the date that your assessment was issued to you.

You can view the auto-assessment by:

See more info How does the Auto-Assessment work.

We have made it easier for you

We continue to make it easier for you to comply.  Starting July 2022, we will be assessing a significant number of taxpayers automatically.

We auto-assess based on the data we receive from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other 3rd party data providers. If you have not yet received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and other 3rd party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations, you should immediately approach your employer or medical scheme or retirement annuity fund or other 3rd party data providers to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.

How do I know that the data is correct?

This year, for the first time, you can view third-party data certificates submitted by third party data providers on your behalf. Simply log in to eFiling and following the steps below:

  • Once successfully logged in, click on Third Party Data Certificate Search menu option displayed as part of the left menu option.
  • Once you have selected the Third Party Data Certificate Search menu option, the Request Third Party Certificates screen will be displayed.
  • On the Request Third Party Certificate form, select the Certificate Type and Tax Year.
  • Click on the Certificate Type drop down list and select the appropriate certificate type.
  • Click on the Tax Year drop down list and select the appropriate tax year.
  • Once you have made the applicable selection, click on the Submit Query button displayed at the bottom of the page.
  • The Certificate Type selected will be displayed and you will be able to click on Download Certificate to view your Certificate.
  • Note the certificate cannot be used to submit to SARS.

If there is an error or the data is incomplete:

  1. Ask the institution which provided the data to SARS to correct it by sending updated data to SARS and yourself.
  2. When you receive the updated data, access your tax return on eFiling or MobiApp, update the data on the tax return, and file your tax return via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.

For more information, see the Guide on how to view submitted third party data returns or data files via eFiling.

What to prepare before 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.

Follow us on Social Media for daily Tax Tips or keep an eye on this webpage for all the information.

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. Note that you must have a valid South African ID number.  Read more.