Will SARS inform you if you miss a claim you’re entitled to?

During tax season, you will complete your income tax forms and submit these to SARS. Depending on what you have declared, you may receive a tax refund.

However, what if you accidentally miss a claim you’re entitled to? We find out whether SARS will let you know about this, and we offer some advice on how to stay on top of it.

Tip: Got a new job? Find out your new taxes with our income tax calculator.

Will SARS inform you about a refund?

If you are an employee, you are required to submit a tax return if you earn more than a stipulated minimum income. This figure changes over time, and it’s important to visit the SARS website annually to find out whether you fall into this category.

If you are a contractor, you need to register as a provisional taxpayer and, regardless of your income, you will need to submit a tax return.

When you fill in your income tax forms, you will have the opportunity to claim tax refunds related, for example, to the use of your home office, or for your medical aid. But what if you miss something?

According to Megan Landers, manager of International Tax at AJM Tax, SARS won’t inform you when you omit or miss a deduction in your income tax submission.

“It’s important that you carefully consider and accurately answer all the questions on the first page of your income tax return. The return will be customised according to the answers provided and reflect the potential deductions that you can claim,” says Landers.

Robert Glaus of Thebe Accounting & Associates adds that SARS is more likely to impose interest and penalties than inform you about a missed claim. He says that if you don’t draw a statement of account, you won’t know where you stand.

READ MORE: Are you indebted to SARS? Do this to avoid penalties

What will SARS inform you about?

According to Zwelibanzi Phiri, managing director of Capnovation, SARS will send you an email or SMS during tax season saying that you have correspondence on the e-filing website.

“After checking the e-filing website, you will find out whether you have a refund or whether you have a payment due. This SMS tells you to go check on the e-filing platform in general, but not specifically because you have missed a claim,” says Phiri.

“When you check your profile, look under SARS correspondence and you will find a letter stating your current status, such as whether there’s a refund or a payment due.”  

If you’re not making ends meet, consider debt consolidation to help you make it through the month.