PROVISIONAL TAX FOR INDIVIDUALS: DID YOU KNOW?

Tax free annual donations: To your Trust or your dependents
January 27, 2017
THE TAXATION OF PARTNERSHIPS
February 28, 2017
Tax free annual donations: To your Trust or your dependents
January 27, 2017
THE TAXATION OF PARTNERSHIPS
February 28, 2017

Provisional tax is not a separate type of tax but pre-payments on income tax for a specific tax year. The aim of provisional tax payments is to help taxpayers to fulfil their tax responsibilities by spreading tax payments over a tax year. After SARS has assessed a taxpayer for income tax, the provisional tax payments will be set off against the final liability for income tax for a specific tax year.

Underpayment of provisional tax

If a taxpayer did not pay enough provisional tax during the tax year and there is a liability after offsetting provisional tax against income tax due on assessment, the taxpayer will be liable for penalties and interest on underpayment of provisional tax. The table below provides more information on the penalties and interest applicable to the underpayment of provisional tax.

Overpayment of provisional tax

If provisional tax was overpaid, i.e. provisional tax payments were more than the assessed income tax liability for a tax year, the excess amount will be refunded to the taxpayer with interest. Please refer to the table below for more details on overpayment of provisional tax.

Three provisional tax returns per tax year

The provisional tax return/IRP6 must be submitted two or three times per year, depending on the circumstances of the taxpayer.

The following table sets out the deadlines, penalties and interest, and calculations for the different provisional tax payments for the current tax year starting on 1 March 2016 and ending on 28 February 2017.

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Note 1: If there is not provisional tax due, the IRP6 return must still be submitted.

As can be seen from the above table, provisional tax payments are based on an estimate of the taxpayer’s taxable income. Therefore it is crucial to estimate taxable income and tax-deductible expenses as accurately as possible.

If you need professional assistance with the calculations, submission or payment of any of your provisional tax returns, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Our staff are friendly and knowledgeable and looking forward to the opportunity to assist you.

Reference List:

  • sars.gov.za

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. (E&OE)

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