South Africa’s 2024 tax season filing starts next month

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the filing dates for the 2024 tax season, which kicks off in July.

The Revenue Service announced that South Africa’s tax season for individual taxpayers will open on 15 July 2024 and run to 21 October 2024.

SARS added that auto-assessment notices to taxpayers will start going out from 1 to 14 July 2024.

“This year, from 1 July 2024, we will again issue auto-assessments to taxpayers whose tax affairs are less complicated,” the revenue service said.

“If you agree with your auto-assessment, then there is no need to ‘accept’ the assessment. If a refund is due to you, it will automatically be paid into your bank account.”

Many people have previously complained that they have not received their refunds as quickly as expected.

SARS explained that when taxpayers’ banking details have been identified for verification, the process can take up to 21 business days.

Once the validation process for the bank details has been completed, the refund should be paid within 72 hours.

“If your Income Tax return is selected for verification, it may take up to 21 business days from the date all required supporting documents are received to conclude a verification,” it added.

If a return is selected for audit, it could take up to 90 business days from receipt of all the required supporting.

“If you have outstanding returns the refund will not be paid until all outstanding tax returns have been submitted,” it said.

SARS highlighted that individual taxpayers should ensure they have received their IRP5/IT3(a) and other tax certificates before the tax season begins.

This information includes medical aid, retirement annuity funds, and other third-party data used to determine their tax obligations.

SARS urged taxpayers to use eFiling or the SARS MobiApp instead of calling. “There is no need to call us – you can register online or download the MobiApp on your phone or tablet,” it said.

However, if taxpayers need to address tax affairs in person, they can make bookings online or by sending an SMS to request a booking.

Tax season 2024 filing dates

On 3 July 2024, SARS released the dates for the 2024 filing season for Individual taxpayers, provisional taxpayers, and trusts.

• Individual taxpayers: 15 July 2024 to 21 October 2024. Auto-assessment notices will be sent out between 1 July 2024 and 14 July 2024.
• Provisional taxpayers: 15 July 2024 to 20 January 2025
• Trusts: 16 September 2024 to 20 January 2025

“Make sure everything is up to date for a hassle-free filing experience,” SARS told South African taxpayers.