Preparing for Your 2025 Tax Return – a Guide
/As the 2025 individuals tax season approaches, it's essential to start gathering the necessary documents to ensure a smooth and timely submission of your tax return to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). You are more than welcome to start sending this to Pumeza (Pumeza@anlofin.com) and we will save this on file.
At Anlo Accounting, we aim to make this process as seamless as possible for you. Below, we've outlined the key dates for the 2025 tax season and a comprehensive list of documents you'll need to provide us. Additionally, we'll explain the auto-assessment process and how we can assist you with it.
Key Dates for the 2025 Tax Season
The tax season for individuals in South Africa typically runs from July to October 2025 for non-provisional taxpayers, and until 20 January 2026 for provisional taxpayers. We encourage you to submit your documents as early as possible to ensure ample time for preparation and submission.
Required Documents for Your Tax Return
To prepare and submit your tax return, please provide us with the following documents:
IRP5/IT3(a) Certificates: These are your employee tax certificates or interest certificates. You will start receiving them over the next couple of months.
Certificates for Local and Foreign Interest Income: Including any foreign dividend income.
Medical Scheme Certificates: Proof of medical expenses paid and not recovered from a medical scheme.
Disability Expenses: Completed ITR-DD Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability form if the taxpayer is claiming disability-related expenses.
Retirement Annuity Certificates: From financial institutions where contributions were made. You will receive a certificate over the next couple of months – save this 😊
Travel Allowance and Fringe Benefit Documentation: Including a logbook for business travel deductions – please ask us if you would like a template.
Capital Gains Information: Details of any local or foreign capital gain transactions or any properties sold.
Commission-Related Expenditure: Receipts and a logbook for business travel deductions.
Rental Income Information: All relevant documents if you have rental income as well as expenses.
Financial Statements: For any trading or farming activities which affects your individual tax return
Other Income and Deduction Documents: Any other documents related to income or deductions that need to be declared.
12. Donation Certificates: Proof of donations made to registered charities.
You can also check your folders/emails/drives for any additional documents that might be relevant, such as:
· Bank statements
· Investment statements
· Loan agreements
And this might also help you remember if you have possible missed anything. A simple search through your emails also helps a lot 😊
Auto-Assessments
SARS has introduced an auto-assessment process to simplify tax filing for individuals with straightforward tax affairs. If you receive an auto-assessment notice, it means SARS has pre-populated your tax return based on data from employers, financial institutions, and other third-party sources.
If you agree with the auto-assessment, no further action is required. However, if you believe there are discrepancies or additional information that needs to be included, please get in touch with us. We can review your auto-assessment and ensure everything is accurate and complete.
At Anlo, we strive to make tax season stress-free for you. If you have any questions or need assistance with your tax return or auto-assessment, please don't hesitate to contact us. Let's work together to ensure your tax affairs are in order well before the deadlines.
We look forward to assisting you with your 2025 tax return!
