PROVISIONAL T A X

S.A. PROVISIONAL TAX

PROVISIONAL T A X         
       
All provisional taxpayers are required to remit two provisional tax payments  
a year. A third voluntary payment may be required to avoid interest being charged.  
         
First Year of Assessment      
Where a taxpayer has not been assessed previously, a reasonable estimate of the taxable income must be made. The
basic amount cannot be estimated at nil as was previous practice, unless fully motivated.  
.        
First Payment        
One half of the total tax in respect of the estimated taxable income for the year is payable six months before the
financial year end. The estimate of taxable income must not be less than the taxable income reflected on the latest
assessment. A lower estimate may be used if justified, subject to the consent of SARS.  
         
Second Payment        
The balance of tax due is payable on or before the last day of the financial year end in respect of the estimated taxable
income for the year. For purposes of the second payment, the estimate may not be less than the taxable income reflected
on the latest assessment or 90% of the taxable income as finally determined. If the above requirement is not met,
a penalty of 20% of the provisional tax underpaid may be imposed.    
         
Third Payment        
Third provisional payments are only applicable to individuals and trusts with taxable income in excess of R50 000 and
companies and close corporations with taxable income in excess of R20 000. Such payments should be made before
30 September in the case of a taxpayer with a February year end and within six months of other year ends to avoid
interest being charged.        
         
Capital Gains        
Capital gains are not included in provisional tax estimates for the first and second period and will therefore not affect the
basic amount used for provisional tax purposes. If however an estimate lower than the basic amount is used, Capital
gains must be included. Capital gains must however be included in the final calculation for the third provisional tax payment.
         
Estimates        
SARS has the right to increase any provisional tax estimate to an amount they consider reasonable.
         
Persons over 65        
Persons over 65 years whose taxable income does not exceed R80 000 are exempt from provisional tax, provided that
such income consists exclusively of remuneration, rental, interest or dividends.  
         
Persons under 65        
Persons under 65 years who do not carry on business, and whose taxable income will not exceed the tax threshold
or whose interest, foreign dividends and rental will not exceed R10 000 are exempt from provisional tax.
         
Directors of Private Companies      
As from 1 March 2006 the specific inclusion of directors of private companies in the definition of a provisional taxpayer has
been deleted.        

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