Everything Counts | Episode 53: Tips for tax filing season in South Africa
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In this episode of Everything Counts, we unpack one of the most overlooked opportunities to improve your financial position: your tax return.
Many people treat tax filing season as a simple compliance exercise and move on. But as our experts explain, your SARS tax return is actually a powerful financial health check that can help you avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant, and even unlock additional value.
We dive into:
● Why you should rethink how you approach tax filing
● The risks of blindly accepting SARS auto assessments
● Common tax mistakes that could cost you money
● Medical aid deductions and what you might be missing
● Travel claims, cost-to-company structuring, and share incentives
● What happens during a SARS audit (and how to prepare)
Whether you're a salaried employee, high-income earner, or managing multiple income streams, this episode gives practical, actionable insights to help you file with confidence and make sure you aren’t unknowingly leaving money on the table.
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Tax filing beyond compliance
01:48 What changes to report to SARS
03:50 Tax returns as a financial health check
04:43 The importance of keeping track of your own numbers
05:27 Should I accept SARS auto assessment?
06:45 Changes to tax auto assessments for 2026
07:37 How to submit medical aid tax certificate to SARS
09:30 Beyond medical certificates for tax
10:30 Disability claim SARS
12:06 Is travel allowance tax deductible?
15:30 Structuring a tax efficient remuneration package
17:13 Tax implications on shares
18:36 What does it mean if SARS is auditing you?
20:00 Tax verification vs audit
21:15 The value of a tax practitioner if you are audited
21:50 Audit mistakes to avoid
23:00 Tax audit tips for high net worth individuals
24:38 How to maximise your tax refund
36:40 Conclusion
Many people treat tax filing season as a simple compliance exercise and move on. But as our experts explain, your SARS tax return is actually a powerful financial health check that can help you avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant, and even unlock additional value.
We dive into:
● Why you should rethink how you approach tax filing
● The risks of blindly accepting SARS auto assessments
● Common tax mistakes that could cost you money
● Medical aid deductions and what you might be missing
● Travel claims, cost-to-company structuring, and share incentives
● What happens during a SARS audit (and how to prepare)
Whether you're a salaried employee, high-income earner, or managing multiple income streams, this episode gives practical, actionable insights to help you file with confidence and make sure you aren’t unknowingly leaving money on the table.
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Tax filing beyond compliance
01:48 What changes to report to SARS
03:50 Tax returns as a financial health check
04:43 The importance of keeping track of your own numbers
05:27 Should I accept SARS auto assessment?
06:45 Changes to tax auto assessments for 2026
07:37 How to submit medical aid tax certificate to SARS
09:30 Beyond medical certificates for tax
10:30 Disability claim SARS
12:06 Is travel allowance tax deductible?
15:30 Structuring a tax efficient remuneration package
17:13 Tax implications on shares
18:36 What does it mean if SARS is auditing you?
20:00 Tax verification vs audit
21:15 The value of a tax practitioner if you are audited
21:50 Audit mistakes to avoid
23:00 Tax audit tips for high net worth individuals
24:38 How to maximise your tax refund
36:40 Conclusion
