For the 2025 tax year in South Africa, the tax season for individuals typically begins in July and runs through October for non-provisional taxpayers. If you are a provisional taxpayer, you have until 20 January 2025 to submit your returns. Provisional taxpayers include individuals who earn income from multiple sources, such as freelance work or investments, while non-provisional taxpayers generally have a single source of income from an employer.
For example:
- If you are a non-provisional taxpayer, the deadline will likely be in October 2025, similar to previous years.
- Provisional taxpayers need to submit by January 2026 for the second payment period.
The auto-assessment process, which is a relatively new feature, could also apply to you. If SARS calculates your tax return using third-party data (like from your employer or medical aid), you might receive an auto-assessment notification, which simplifies the filing process.
If you’re unsure about your tax status or deadlines, you can find more detailed timelines on the SARS official calendar or speak with an accountant to get professional advice.
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