SARS E-Filing 2018

[PhireSide]

Anyone here with a Liberty Provident Fund that chose to withdraw a portion of their fund?

I received an IRP5 (or rather, SARS did) from Liberty and it stated my withdrawal as taxable income. I am under the impression that amounts below R25'000 are not supposed to be taxed at all? The portion I withdrew was below that, anyway, but it shows as source code 3699 - GROSS REMUNERATION instead of what I thought it should be, 3696 - GROSS NON-TAXABLE INCOME.

This is the first time withdrawing from any pension fund so I am not sure if this is normal or not?

 

[Millytjie]

You not alone, i have had no feedback on my verification either, submitted on the 30th June.

Also trying to wait patiently, submitted on the 1st no audit or verification but when I called sars was told my refund was being audited no request for supporting documents yet, every year seems a different outcome.. Lady mentioned something about it could take up to 60 days.. Really frustrating..

 

[Wacker]

Also trying to wait patiently, submitted on the 1st no audit or verification but when I called sars was told my refund was being audited no request for supporting documents yet, every year seems a different outcome.. Lady mentioned something about it could take up to 60 days.. Really frustrating..

This is the first time i have ever been selected for verification, quite frankly i am not quite sure how long it should take. Hopefully not to long.

 

[Classic_Man]

Both my wife and I have complete our SARS Efiling on the 1st... first time in years no audits on both sides.

BUT the payment date on the ita34 state 31 Jan 2019 on both?

so 8 days since filling no refund... should i phone them or wait out 21 days, look like we are not alone on this one..

Any advice?

Their service charter says all refunds not under verification or audit will be paid in 7 business days. Tomorrow will be the 7th day. If not reflecting tomorrow you are within your rights to call them on Wednesday to demand (politely) your refund.

 

[Classic_Man]

Will keep you posted if i hear anything from my side.

Thanks, would be helpful. I'll do the same on my side

 

[iFan]

I'm concerned about a sum I had in a money market account earning interest. I declared the interest income and provided the IT3B document from FNB to SARS which shows all interest earned from all the savings accounts I have (several small for my kids). The money market had a very big balance on 28 Feb 2018 which is shown on this IT3B document. The money was proceeds from the sale of my primary residence, so not taxable and completely legit, but I am worried SARS is going to get a hard on and wonder HTF I came upon so much money all of a sudden.

Of course, having now bought a new primary residence a few months ago in this financial tax year, that money is all gone now in the form of a deposit, costs, transfer duty and renovation costs.......

We'll have to see...

Eish! Not great. I hate the "not knowing" part when it comes to filling in these things.

I also had some it3 or something form from FNB but it didn't have all the fields the return was asking for.

 

[Dan C]

I'm concerned about a sum I had in a money market account earning interest. I declared the interest income and provided the IT3B document from FNB to SARS which shows all interest earned from all the savings accounts I have (several small for my kids). The money market had a very big balance on 28 Feb 2018 which is shown on this IT3B document. The money was proceeds from the sale of my primary residence, so not taxable and completely legit, but I am worried SARS is going to get a hard on and wonder HTF I came upon so much money all of a sudden.

Of course, having now bought a new primary residence a few months ago in this financial tax year, that money is all gone now in the form of a deposit, costs, transfer duty and renovation costs.......

We'll have to see...

Nah don't think you need to worry. As long as you didn't earn more than R20,000 interest I don't think they care.

 

[Koosvanwyk]

View attachment 535283 It feels like Im the only one who submitted early (1 July), submitted all required docs and still not heard anything back on my verification??? What on earth is taking so long.... Many people on here submitted after me and received their completion letters and refunds long ago. I have to endure this every year

My understanding of the verification process is that it is structured similar to how an audit team would operate. Initial verification is done by the general auditors, thereafter it goes to a manager for review and then to another (more senior) manager for final sign off and release. During any of these reviews it can be send back to the general auditor for further checking, all which takes up time. Logic would also dictate that those tax deduction more susceptible to manipulation by taxpayers would undergo more stringent scrutiny during the verification process (will take longer).

Thinking of rental income and deduction against this as well as travel claims as the more common deductions that is open to manipulation. While it remains unclear the exact debt of a verification (as opposed to an audit) SARS have been known to check, by example, mileage according to the log books against third party records like vehicle manufactures who log the distance when vehicles are services etc.

Being rather familiar with the audit process I can tell you without a doubt that the larger the refund the more in debt the checking will be (and thereby the length of time taken to do the checks). Yes, people will also play a role as it is just human nature that certain clerks will work faster that other, this unfortunately is just part of the process.

From a taxpayers perspective the issue (at least according to me) is not necessarily how long it takes for the verification to be completed, but rather the feeling of your tax affairs being out of your control, coupled with the fact that it is virtually impossible for someone from the public to speak directly with the auditors (unless they call you) AND the lack of regular feedback on where in the process the verification/audit is. More regular feedback as opposed to just a letter confirming receipt of documents and another at completion, will assist

 

[Crusader]

Checked mine and the SOA now reflects an electronic payment date of 2018-07-10. So those who filed on the first like me should hopefully expect refunds by tomorrow.

 

[Classic_Man]

My understanding of the verification process is that it is structured similar to how an audit team would operate. Initial verification is done by the general auditors, thereafter it goes to a manager for review and then to another (more senior) manager for final sign off and release. During any of these reviews it can be send back to the general auditor for further checking, all which takes up time. Logic would also dictate that those tax deduction more susceptible to manipulation by taxpayers would undergo more stringent scrutiny during the verification process (will take longer).

Thinking of rental income and deduction against this as well as travel claims as the more common deductions that is open to manipulation. While it remains unclear the exact debt of a verification (as opposed to an audit) SARS have been known to check, by example, mileage according to the log books against third party records like vehicle manufactures who log the distance when vehicles are services etc.

Being rather familiar with the audit process I can tell you without a doubt that the larger the refund the more in debt the checking will be (and thereby the length of time taken to do the checks). Yes, people will also play a role as it is just human nature that certain clerks will work faster that other, this unfortunately is just part of the process.

From a taxpayers perspective the issue (at least according to me) is not necessarily how long it takes for the verification to be completed, but rather the feeling of your tax affairs being out of your control, coupled with the fact that it is virtually impossible for someone from the public to speak directly with the auditors (unless they call you) AND the lack of regular feedback on where in the process the verification/audit is.

Nicely put Koos, I guess the frustration is that I only claim travel and every year subjected to the same delays, back and forth etc. Just to get the refund in the end (months later). I have no problem with them checking that I am legit but for Pete's sake, surely they can see on our profiles what we are claiming against and that we pass audit every single year. I do think there is huge opportunity for improvement through the use of robotics and other digital means of verification instead of some person getting to your assessment when they feel like it... Furthermore if you're expecting a somewhat larger amount which you are entitled to, you become a target for even further delays.... EITHER WAY, YOU CAN'T WIN with these guys

 

[Moto Guzzi]

My understanding of the verification process is that it is structured similar to how an audit team would operate. Initial verification is done by the general auditors, thereafter it goes to a manager for review and then to another (more senior) manager for final sign off and release. During any of these reviews it can be send back to the general auditor for further checking, all which takes up time. Logic would also dictate that those tax deduction more susceptible to manipulation by taxpayers would undergo more stringent scrutiny during the verification process (will take longer).

Thinking of rental income and deduction against this as well as travel claims as the more common deductions that is open to manipulation. While it remains unclear the exact debt of a verification (as opposed to an audit) SARS have been known to check, by example, mileage according to the log books against third party records like vehicle manufactures who log the distance when vehicles are services etc.

Being rather familiar with the audit process I can tell you without a doubt that the larger the refund the more in debt the checking will be (and thereby the length of time taken to do the checks). Yes, people will also play a role as it is just human nature that certain clerks will work faster that other, this unfortunately is just part of the process.

From a taxpayers perspective the issue (at least according to me) is not necessarily how long it takes for the verification to be completed, but rather the feeling of your tax affairs being out of your control, coupled with the fact that it is virtually impossible for someone from the public to speak directly with the auditors (unless they call you) AND the lack of regular feedback on where in the process the verification/audit is. More regular feedback as opposed to just a letter confirming receipt of documents and another at completion, will assist

Thats why I made that suggestion, and to impliment something like that they will be forced to iron out all the missing links between, SARS-Backbone, Call Centres, Staff at offices to visit, and E-Filing. That in return will force a more orderly working easy to check and establish which box of progrees the taxpayer is at any given time, so I can draw a log. Let those ultra expensive IT systems work properly.

 

[Classic_Man]

Thats why I made that suggestion, and to impliment something like that they will be forced to iron out all the missing links between, SARS-Backbone, Call Centres, Staff at offices to visit, and E-Filing. That in return will force a more orderly working easy to check and establish which box of progrees the taxpayer is at any given time, so I can draw a log. Let those ultra expensive IT systems work properly.

Would be great, but it's as if we're asking for tooo much

 

[kfc4unme]

Checked mine and the SOA now reflects an electronic payment date of 2018-07-10. So those who filed on the first like me should hopefully expect refunds by tomorrow.

I've pulled numerous SOA, and I cannot seem to see the electronic payment date in the document...

 

[Radioboy]

I've pulled numerous SOA, and I cannot seem to see the electronic payment date in the document...

Same here. Gotto be patient I suppose.

 

[Crusader]

I've pulled numerous SOA, and I cannot seem to see the electronic payment date in the document...

Mine took a week to show anything.

 

[Toxxyc]

OK so a bit of a niggle - I don't have my certificate from my provident fund. I called them and they stated they don't give those out - ever. It's not even part of their system. They only give one if you cash out or retire. The amounts are on my IRP5 though - is that an issue?

 

[SekeethaDN]

Mine took a week to show anything.

If there is no final assessment made, every time an SOA is pulled, it will change the date

 

[SekeethaDN]

OK so a bit of a niggle - I don't have my certificate from my provident fund. I called them and they stated they don't give those out - ever. It's not even part of their system. They only give one if you cash out or retire. The amounts are on my IRP5 though - is that an issue?

It shouldn't be a problem, because you did not receive the money and therefore would not be a tax issue.

Did you move jobs in the financial year?

 

[Toxxyc]

It shouldn't be a problem, because you did not receive the money and therefore would not be a tax issue.

Did you move jobs in the financial year?

Nope. It wasn't an issue with the last one, so I'm hoping they're almost done with my stuff. We found out recently we have our first little one on the way, so I would really love to get some cash back soon!

 

[SekeethaDN]

Nope. It wasn't an issue with the last one, so I'm hoping they're almost done with my stuff. We found out recently we have our first little one on the way, so I would really love to get some cash back soon!

I wish sooner than later!!!