October 26, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
THE deadline for submitting tax returns is looming, and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) has warned laggards to avoid a last minute rush to get their papers in.
Residents have just six days to submit their returns; the deadline is 31 October.
"We want to appeal to all people whose tax returns are still pending to submit as quickly as possible and avoid penalties," says Adrian Lackay, a SARS spokesperson, adding that documents should be signed and completed honestly.
Initially the pace of submitting tax returns was sluggish; however, Lackay says that in the past two weeks, SARS’s Joburg branches have been inundated with people trying to beat the deadline. "For the next week we expect to receive over 10 000 returns a day."
However, he is clear that SARS has the capacity to deal with the extreme workload. "The experience that we have acquired over the years has prepared us to deal with such cases, so we are very well prepared," he says, adding that SARS offices have been structured to accommodate additional staff to deal with the increasing number of taxpayers.
"Our staff numbers have been extended to create additional capacity in order to alleviate pressure, especially at the Carlton Centre branch."
SARS normally whips taxpayers with penalties and interests for late or no submissions. It is, however, possible to avoid these - and the long queues at the SARS offices - by downloading an electronic version of your tax return and completing it online.
Lackey encourages taxpayers who want to avoid the last minute rush to use the electronic filing system, which gives people more time to submit their returns. "If you have eFiling you will have until next year January to submit your tax return. This is only applicable to those who want to return their forms electronically."
The eFiling system will make filling in and submitting forms simpler, better and faster. Only those using eFiling are able to submit returns online. Others can download the forms from the internet and submit them manually.
The IT 12S return is one of two new shortened and simplified income tax returns for individuals. The two-page return has been specially tailored to accommodate the majority of taxpayers who have a basic salary and allowances such as travel, medical and pension.
"The IT 12C return is for individuals with more complex incomes," he notes.
The old IT 12BU and IT 12SB returns have been consolidated into the IT 12C return. This is a comprehensive income tax return that should be completed by individual taxpayers who have additional income and deductions such as business or rental income, farming operations, capital gains or losses, and foreign income.
Both tax returns can be obtained from the SARS website. Taxpayers can fill in their return online, "print it and submit it to any of the SARS branches or at any post office nationwide".
People with limited internet access can get the returns from any SARS office.
You need to register first to access this system. And if tax returns still confuse you, William Smith is on e.tv every Sunday from 7am to 7.30am explaining how to fill in a tax return.
To register for eFiling, log on to the SARS eFiling website, and click on register.
"There are two different options - registration for individuals and registration for businesses and tax practitioners. Click on the relevant one. The system will then direct you through a step-by-step process to register."
To check details of the progress of your return submitted via eFiling, you can contact the SARS national call centre on 0860 12 12 18.
Lackay warns that if people "fail to return their documents on time and don’t sign up for eFiling, they may face criminal charges in court, or be charged with failing to declare income".
And if your tax return is late, substantial penalties can be imposed and interest will be added to what you already owe. Every person earning more than R60 000 a year, or R5 000 a month, is legally obliged to submit a tax return, "so that SARS can determine if you have paid the correct amount of tax for the tax year".
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