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Customs and Excise

Personal Income Tax

What’s new?

As per the Minister of Finance’s Budget Speech on 24 February 2021, for the 2022 year of assessment (1 March 2021 – 28 February 2022), the changes are: 
  • R87 300 if you are younger than 65 years.
  • If you are 65 years of age to below 75 years, the tax threshold (i.e. the amount above which income tax becomes payable) increases to R135 150.
  • For taxpayers aged 75 years and older, this threshold is R151 100.
  • 8 December 2020 – Personal Income Tax enhancements implemented

What is it?

Income tax is the normal tax which is paid on your taxable income.

Examples of amounts an individual may receive, and from which the taxable income is determined, include –
  • Remuneration (income from employment), such as, salaries, wages, bonuses, overtime pay, taxable (fringe) benefits, allowances and certain lump sum benefits
  • Profits or losses from a business or trade
  • Income or profits arising from an individual being a beneficiary of a trust
  • Director’s fees
  • Investment income, such as interest and foreign dividends
  • Rental income or losses
  • Income from royalties
  • Annuities
  • Pension income
  • Certain capital gains

Who is it for?

You are liable to pay income tax if you earn more than:

For the 2022 year of assessment (1 March 2021 – 28 February 2022)
  • R87 300 if you are younger than 65 years.
  • If you are 65 years of age to below 75 years, the tax threshold (i.e. the amount above which income tax becomes payable) increases to R135 150.
  • For taxpayers aged 75 years and older, this threshold is R151 100.
For the 2021 year of assessment (1 March 2020 – 28 February 2021)
  • R83 100 if you are younger than 65 years.
  • If you are 65 years of age to below 75 years, the tax threshold (i.e. the amount above which income tax becomes payable) increases to R128 650.
  • For taxpayers aged 75 years and older, this threshold is R143 850. 

Top tip: You do not need to submit a return if ALL the criteria below apply to you:
  • Your total employment income / salary for the year (March 2019 to February 2020) before tax (gross income) was not more than R500 000; and
  • You only received employment income / salary for the full year of assessment (March 2019 to February 2020) from one employer; and
  • You have no car allowance/company car/ travel allowance or other income (e.g. interest or rental income); and
  • You are not claiming tax related deductions/rebates (e.g. medical expenses, retirement annuity contributions other than pension contributions made by your employer, travel).

Still unsure if you need to submit a return? Click here.

The rates of tax chargeable on taxable income are determined annually by Parliament, and are generally referred to as “marginal rates of tax” or “statutory rates”. The rate of tax levied on an individual is set on a sliding scale which results in the tax increasing as taxable income increases. Every year, the Minister of Finance announces the rates to be levied by publishing the applicable tax tables during the annual budget speech.

What steps must I take to ensure compliance?

Step one: You must register for income tax

If you earn a taxable income which is above the tax threshold (see above), you must register as a taxpayer with SARS.
 
The various options to register can be viewed on How do I register for for tax​.  All additional tax type registration can be performed from eFiling without having to visit a branch again. You can register once for all different tax types using the client information system.   
 
Step two: You must submit a return
 
If you are registered for income tax, you will be required to submit an annual income tax return to SARS. See the Tax Tables. The 2020 year of assessment (commonly referred to as a “tax year”) runs from 1 March 2019 to 29 February 2020. Every year, SARS announces its Tax Season, a period during which you are required to submit your annual income tax return. The Tax Season for 2020 opened on 1 September 2020. The income tax return which should be completed by individuals is known as the ITR12​ form.
 
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset by calling our Contact Centre and following a simple procedure.
 
 

When should it be submitted?

  • ​​1 September to 16 November 2020: Taxpayers who file online
  • 1 September to 22 October 2020: Taxpayers who cannot file electronically can do so at a SARS branch by appointment
  • 1 September 2020 to 29 January 2021: Provisional taxpayers who file electronically.

Note: If you have received an auto-assessment SMS from SARS, you can file immediately. If you have not received an SMS, you can also file immediately and do not have to wait until 1 September.​


If you don’t submit your income tax return on time, you may be liable for penalties.

How should it be submitted?

Online: The easiest and quickest way to file a tax return is online, by making use of SARS eFiling or the MobiApp. You must, however, first register for eFiling on the SARS eFiling website or using the MobiApp. We have a page where we explain to you in detail how to register for eFiling. Once registered, you can complete the online form to create your return. Note that you will start by completing the first page of the form which contains several questions regarding the nature of your tax affairs (referred to as a return “wizard”). Completion of this part will automatically tailor the tax return to your specific tax requirements.
 
In a branch: Tax returns can be submitted at a SARS branch office by making an appointment. To find your nearest branch visit our branch locator. 
 
Top Tip: When completing your return, you will require the following documentation in order to verify the existing, pre-populated information that appears in the return, as well as to complete any remaining portions:
  • IRP5: This is the employees’ tax certificate your employer issues to you. 
  • Certificates you received for local interest income earned. 
  • Any other documentation relating to income received or accrued, such as remuneration that has not been reported to SARS by your employer, or business or investment income, etc.
  • Details of medical expenses paid and medical scheme contributions made.
  • The relevant certificates reflecting your retirement annuity fund contributions made.
  • A logbook and other documents in support of business travel expenses (if the travel allowance is part of your remuneration or if you have the right of use of a company car taxable benefit).
  • Any other documentation relating to the allowable deductions you wish to claim.
Related Documents

CRA01 – Confirmation of Residential or Business Address for Online Completion – External Form

EMP-ELEC-02-G03 – An Employers Guide to the AA88 Third Party Appointment Process – External Guide

FORM-AD – Request for Tax Deduction Directive Pension and Provident Funds – External Form

FORM-B – Request for Tax Deduction Directive Pension and Provident Funds – External Form

FORM-C – Request for Tax Deduction Directive Retirement Annuity Funds – External Form

FORM-E – Tax Deduction Directive After Retirement and Death Annuity Commutations – External Form

GEN-ELEC-11-G01 – Guide to Bulk and Additional Payments on eFiling – External Guide

GEN-ELEC-21-G01 – How to download the new SARS eFiling Browser – External Guide

GEN-PT-01-G01 – Guide for Provisional Tax – External Guide

IRP3(a) – Application for Tax Directive Gratuities – External Form

IRP3(b) – Application for Tax Directive Fixed Percentage – External Form

IRP3(c) – Application for Tax Directive Fixed Amount – External Form

IRP3(pa) – Application for Tax Directive Freelance Artist – External Form

IRP6(3) – Payment Advice for the Voluntary Additional Payment of Provisional Tax – External Form

IT-AE-02-G01 – Non Resident Entertainers and Sportspersons – External Guide

IT-AE-36-G02 – Comprehensive Guide to the Income Tax return for Trusts – External Guide

IT-PP-02-G01 – Amounts to be withheld when non resident sells immovable property in SA – External Guide

IT-PT-AE-01-G02 – How to eFile your Provisional Tax Return – External Guide

IT12EI – Return of Income Exempt Organisations – External Form

IT144 – Declaration by Donor – External Form

IT180 – Declaration by Employer to Claim Deduction against Learnerships – External Form

IT3(b) – Certificate of Income Investments Property Rights and Royalties – External Form

IT3(c) – Certificate of Income re Disposal of Unit Trusts or other Financial Instruments – External Form

IT3(e) – Return of Purchases Sales or Shipments – External Form

IT44 – Extract of Income – External Form

IT77C – Application for registration Company – External form

IT77TR – Application for registration Trust – External form

ITR-DD – Confirmation of Diagnosis of Disability – External Form

LAPD-CGT-G07 – Briefing Note on Standard Time Apportionment Calculator

LAPD-Gen-G01 – Taxation in South Africa

LAPD-Gen-G02 – Guide for Tax Rates Duties Levies

LAPD-Gen-G08 – Guide on the Taxation of Professional Sports Clubs and Players

LAPD-IT-G01 – Guide on Income Tax and the Individual

LAPD-IT-G02 – Guide on the Residence Basis of Taxation for Individuals

LAPD-IT-G03 – Guide on the calculation of the tax payable on lump sum benefits

LAPD-IT-G04 – Guide on the Ring Fencing of Assessed Losses Arising from Certain Trades Conducted by Individuals

LAPD-IT-G07 – Guide on the determination of medical tax credits

LAPD-IT-G08 – List of Qualifying Physical Impairment or Disability Expenditure

LAPD-IT-G08a – List of Qualifying Physical Impairment or Disability Expenditure Effective 1 March 2020

LAPD-IT-G09 – Guide on the Tax Incentive for Learnership Agreements

LAPD-IT-G12 – Guide to the Urban Development Zone Allowance

LAPD-IT-G16 – Basic Guide to Income Tax for Public Benefit Organisations

LAPD-IT-G17 – Basic Guide to Section 18A Approval

LAPD-IT-G18 – Guide to Building Allowances

LAPD-IT-G19 – Comprehensive Guide to Dividends Tax

LAPD-IT-G21 – Guide on the Taxation of Foreigners working in South Africa

LAPD-IT-G24 – Guide on Mutual Agreement Procedures

LAPD-IT-G26 – Tax Exemption Guide for Public Benefit Organisations in South Africa

LAPD-IT-G27 – Tax Guide for Recreational Clubs

LAPD-IT-G29 – PIT FAQs Foreign Employment Income Exemption

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Last Updated:
  • 24/03/2021
  • 15:06

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