\u201cWhether you have an accountant, a tax practitioner or file your own tax return, look out for the following points to legally reduce what you owe SARS, maximise refunds, and combat tax debt in 2025,\u201d says Roxanna Naidoo, Head of Global Strategy at Latita Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stop panicking, start planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true that SARS is increasing scrutiny and ramping up tax collection measures,\u201d admits Naidoo, who\u2019s been seeing more clients getting those dreaded final demand letters and verification requests lately. \u201cBut don\u2019t panic. Tax season is an annual opportunity to assess your finances \u2013 a tool for getting your tax affairs in order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her advice? \u201cGo have a look at what you owe SARS; you may be surprised that SARS actually owes you money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plot twist of the year, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n First things first \u2013 update your details on SARS\u2019s eFiling system. We\u2019re talking email address, phone number, banking details \u2013 the works. Get this wrong and you\u2019ll be hit with penalties faster than you can say \u201cauto-assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plus, having accurate details unlocks SARS\u2019s newer tools like the express filing feature, which basically pre-fills your tax return using data from your employer, bank, and medical aid. It\u2019s like having a personal assistant, except it\u2019s free and works for the government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s where things get interesting. That shiny auto-assessment might look tempting to just click and submit, but Naidoo has a warning: \u201cDon\u2019t simply accept your auto-assessment without verifying it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why? Because SARS\u2019s AI might miss the nuances of your financial life \u2013 like rental income, your side-hustle selling succulents on Facebook Marketplace, or other income streams. Even if the mistake isn\u2019t technically your fault, guess who\u2019s liable for penalties later? (Spoiler: it\u2019s you.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCheck everything carefully,\u201d Naidoo emphasises. \u201cIf you\u2019re unhappy with the auto-assessment, click on \u2018request amendment\u2019 and submit the corrections via eFiling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s where the magic happens. Yes, you need to declare every income stream \u2013 even that cryptocurrency windfall or your overseas earnings that were already taxed abroad. But here\u2019s the kicker: after declaring everything, you can start claiming back through deductions, exemptions, and credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Naidoo\u2019s hit list includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n – Medical expenses Remember that shoebox of receipts gathering dust? Time to become best friends with it. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter how and where you file these, as long as you keep them for five years,\u201d says Naidoo. \u201cSARS often requests back-dated documentation, so make sure you have the paperwork to prove your filing was compliant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro tip: go digital. Scan everything, back it up, and thank yourself later when SARS comes knocking with questions about your 2022 filing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do end up owing SARS money, don\u2019t sell your kidney to pay them immediately. \u201cTaxpayers have legal recourse to avoid sinking further into debt,\u201d Naidoo points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your options include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n – Negotiating to reduce the amount owed \u201cIf you\u2019re smart about it, you can still turn this tax season from a compliance burden into financial opportunity,\u201d says Naidoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So while everyone else is complaining about SARS\u2019s new AI overlords, you could be the one laughing all the way to the bank \u2013 or at least not crying all the way to the poor house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The choice is yours: stress about tax season or strategise through it. We know which one sounds better.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve been doom-scrolling through news about SARS\u2019s fancy new artificial intelligence tools hunting down tax dodgers, take a deep breath. 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Get your digital house in order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t trust, always verify<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Turn SARS into your refund machine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Retirement annuity contributions
– Charitable donations (with those precious s18A certificates)
– Home office and travel expenses
– Tax-free savings accounts
– Capital gains tax benefits<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe paper trail that could save you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you actually owe money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
– Deferring payments to ease cash flow
– Submitting a suspension of payment if you think SARS got it wrong
– Mediation to settle disputes without breaking the bank<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe bottom line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n