This year, SARS is again increasing the number of taxpayers participating in auto-assessments. These are taxpayers whose tax affairs are less complicated. If you agree with your auto-assessment, there is nothing more you need to do. If SARS did not get your assessment right, you can complete and file your tax return on or before 21 October 2024, by going to your e-Filing profile or the SARS MobiApp – select the “Edit Return” tab.
Filing a return after the normal due date of 21 October 2024 will attract penalties.
If you received say rental income or other income or have deductions in addition to what is reflected in your assessment, you must file a tax return on or before the normal due date of 21 October 2024. Your updated tax return must have the new information in addition to what SARS has pre-populated on your tax return. Remember to keep any supporting documents for changes you want us to make to your auto-assessment, because SARS may ask for it.
The auto-assessment won’t include those extra deductions you may be able to claim, like home office expenses, wear and tear on assets, donations, travel expenses, solar panel costs or qualifying medical expenses you paid for yourself.
Conclusion
Taxpayers should be aware that they remain responsible for ensuring that the auto-assessments are accurate reflections of their tax affairs. The schedule specifying who must submit income tax returns for the 2024 year of assessment indicates that a natural person who is auto-assessed and whose “gross income, exemptions, deductions and rebates” are correctly indicated in the auto-assessment does not need to file an income tax return.
On the other hand, a taxpayer whose auto-assessment is incorrect must submit an income tax return. Failure to submit a return where the auto-assessment is incorrect can have severe consequences for the taxpayer if the auto-assessed amount is lower than the correct tax amount.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further information on auto-assessment. Contact us on email: GervaseM@alertsprofessionalservices.co.za