1 July 2016 is the start of the 2016 tax season for individuals.

During tax season, you need to submit your income tax return (ITR12). The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will then reconcile the tax on your income and the tax-deductible expenses for the year of assessment (1 March 2015 – 29 February 2016). This may in some cases result in a refund.

Tax season runs from July to November every year. For provisional taxpayers who submit via eFiling, it runs until January of the following year.

Important due dates

• 23 September 2016 – manual/postal submissions
• 25 November 2016 – at a SARS branch (non-provisional)
• 25 November 2016 – eFiling (non-provisional)
• 31 January 2017 – provisional taxpayers via eFiling

Supporting documents

To get ready to submit your tax return, you will need to gather all your supporting documents which include the following:

• IRP5/IT3(a) certificate(s) from your employer or pension fund.
• IT3(b) certificates for investment returns.
• Financial statements, if applicable e.g. business income.
• Medical aid contribution certificates and receipts.
• Retirement annuity fund certificates.
• Certificates you received for local interest income earned.
• Logbook and other documents in support of business travel expenses.
• Completed confirmation of diagnosis of disability form (ITR-DD), if applicable.
• Any other relevant income and deduction information.
• Bank account details.

Top tip: Even though you will be using the supporting documents to complete your return, you mustn’t send them to SARS. You must keep them safely for a period of five years should SARS require them in future.

Remember, if you’re filing at a SARS branch you must bring all the documents applicable to you, as well as original proof of identity (ID, temporary ID, passport or driver’s licence).

Top tip: Check your IRP5 and verify if all the information is correct before attempting to submit the return. If you notice any errors that might need to be corrected, kindly advise your employer to rectify it. You will not be able to change these prepopulated fields on the return.

Not everyone needs to submit an income tax return

You don’t need to file your return if your total salary earned between 1 March 2015 and 29 February 2016 for the 2015/2016 year of assessment is not more than R350 000 (before tax), provided:

• You only have one employer (but remember if you have two employers or income sources e.g. late spouse/partner pension income, exam markings income, rental income, moonlighting income etc. you do need to file even if the total is still under R350 000).
• You have no car allowance or other income (e.g. interest or rent).
• You are not claiming tax related deductions (e.g. medical expenses, retirement annuity contributions, travel expenses etc.).
• You received interest from a source in South Africa not exceeding –
  • R23 800 if you are below the age of 65 years;
  • R34 500 if you are aged 65 years or older.
•  Dividends were paid to you and you were a non-resident during the 2016 year of assessment.

You are welcome to contact the tax consultant Fanus Jonck (tax@jonck.net) if you need assistance with filing your income tax return.