Provisional Tax

What’s new?

Tax Measures relief measures, click here for the latest.

• natural person who derives income, other than remuneration or an allowance or advance as mentioned in section 8(1) or who derives remuneration from an employer who is not registered for employees’ tax (for example, an embassy is not obligated to register as an employer for employees’ tax purposes)
• company; or
• person who is told by the Commissioner that he or she is a provisional taxpayer.

• approved public benefit organisations or recreational clubs that have been approved by the Commissioner in terms of s30 or s30A;
• body corporates, share block companies or certain associations of persons;
• Non-resident owners or charterers of ships or aircraft;
• Any natural person who does not earn any income from carrying on any business – provided that person’s taxable income will not be more than the tax threshold (for 2021 tax year: for taxpayers below age of 65 – 
  R83 100; age 65 to below 75 – R128 650 and age 75 and over – R143 850); or the taxable income of that person (earned from interest, foreign dividends, rental from letting of fixed property and remuneration from unregistered employer) will not be more than R30 000;
• A small business funding entity; and
• a deceased estate.

What steps must I take to work out the amounts due?

• The First Period:
  • Half of the total estimated tax for the full year;
  • Less the employees tax for this period (6 months);
  • Less any allowable foreign tax credits for this period (6 months).
• The Second Period:
  • The total estimated tax for the full year;
  • Less the employees tax paid for the full year;
  • Less any allowable foreign tax credits for the full year;
  • Less the amount paid for the first provisional period.
• The Third Period (voluntary):
  • The total tax estimated payable for the full year;
  • Less the employees tax paid for the full year;
  • Less any allowable foreign tax credits for the full year;
  • Less the amount paid for the 1st and 2nd provisional tax periods.

For more information on how to work out the amounts due, click here. 

How should it be paid?

• Register for SARS eFiling. The eFiling facility allows you to request for an IRP6 return and make your submission and payments online. You can register once for all different tax types using the client information system. 
• If you are already an eFiler, simply add provisional tax to your profile so that you can access and file your IRP6 return online.

When should it be paid?

• The first provisional tax payment must be made within six months of the start of the year of assessment. For years of assessment starting March, this will be 31 August.
• The second payment must be made no later than the last working day of the year of assessment. This will be 28/29 February.
• The third payment is voluntary and may be made:
  • within six months of the year of assessment, in any other case.

General

• If the provisional taxpayer does not submit the final provisional tax return within four months after the last day of the year of assessment, then the provisional taxpayer shall be deemed to have submitted an estimate of an amount of nil taxable income (para 19(6)).
• If the Commissioner is not satisfied with the estimate of taxable income made by the taxpayer, the Commissioner can increase the taxpayer’s estimate (para 19(3)).
• If the taxpayer does not make any estimate (fails to submit the IRP6s), the Commissioner can estimate the taxable income (para 19(2)).

Top Tip: Remember that, by submitting the return and payment timeously and accurately, you can ensure a hassle-free, smooth submission. Insufficient payment and/or underestimation of taxable income may lead to you being charged with penalties and interest.

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