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Deductions Posts in Tax Q&A

Donation deduction on school fees



If I pay school fees for a previously disadvantaged child - who isn't a family member - and the school isn't a registered PBO. Can I deduct the school fees as a donation?

What type of tax category do I fall into?



I have one client in the US, I use all my own equipment and work from home. What type of taxes should I be filing? I am based in South Africa and bring funds through via PayPal, I am not taxed in the US as I am considered a independent contractor.

Petrol and travel allowance claims



How do I claim petrol on tax? For the previous tax year I've kept a detailed petrol log through your app and I've been using my own petrol card and claiming back. I do receive a travel allowance. The company has now given us petrol cards, do I still need to keep a log to claim or can I not claim because the company is paying?



Help with past tax returns



I've been working for the past 5 years and have never claimed back tax. I have all my IRP5 certificates since I started working. I have no travel allowance, I usually pay for everything with my own finances. I'm registered for tax with SARS, but I'm not sure if I'm registered on SARS eFiling.

Tax Deductible Donations



I made a tax deductible donation in the previous tax year, but the amount was over the allowable 10% deduction limit (as reflected in my ITA34). Will the excess amount be automatically added to the new tax year as an add-back, or do I need to add the excess amount to the current years tax deductible donations?

Can I claim if not reimbursed by my employer?



My employer doesn't reimburse me for traveling in between the office and our sites. I don't have a company car but I drive about 92KM per day between the office and on of our sites. Would it be possible to claim KMs from SARS for the use of my private car? And the company doesn't provide a cellphone allowance but I'm required to use my phone a lot at work. I receive no allowance and I'm not a commission earner. Can I claim for the contract I was forced to take?

Are orthodontist expenses tax deductible?



Can I claim tax on an orthodontist expense for my child's braces? They are not covered by medical aid.

Pension fund with half paid up taxes



Can I get my pension fund if I have payed up half of my taxes

Maintenance claims on pension fund



Will monthly maintenance claims by ex-spouse as per a successfully lodged divorce order against my pension fund be taxable in the hands of my ex-spouse, or deemed as income for myself? Will it be treated as exempt from normal tax?

VAT and Tax concerns



I'm a registered company, but not VAT registered. We do not charge VAT on our second hand goods. Should we register for VAT? Also, should we complete a tax return, would we be able to do by ourselves?

On an internship - do I pay tax?



I'm currently working as an intern. The income is 8000 for 11 months, am I required to pay tax?

Waiting period for retirement from GEPF?



How long does a retirement file from GEPF take in SARS for a pay out date? I took my retirement claim at GEPF and completed all forms they gave me but I have waited so long with no reply.

Which costs are deductible prior to receiving rental income?



In respect of a second property that one rents out, starting off, can one deduct the following for personal income tax:
(1) Bond transfer fees and registration costs;
(2) Costs incurred on repairs to the property in the month prior to receiving the 1st rental for the property?

How to make changes after submissions?



I submitted my 2016 tax return using my actual cost on my travel expenses. How can I have it changed to fixed cost as my business travel was about 16000km whilst my actual cost was only R399.00? My tax return was audited by SARS and I've disputed on these grounds several times as well as gone to SARS twice. I've been told that it's possible to have this changed and the consultant at SARS has requested it be done on their system but no change so far. The latest statement still reflects only R217,...

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Minimizing tax liability



At the end of the current tax year my taxable income will exceed R1.5 million largely due to income from an employee share option scheme. My income comprises salary only. And from the normal statutory deductions I contribute to a retirement fund and retirement annuity. Apart from maximizing my contribution to retirement funds, how else could I reduce my tax liability?

International special stopper



I live in Australia and work for a South African Company I did submit my tax return on time, but I'm still waiting for my refund. They told me that I should visit the nearest SARS branch as there is a special stopper on my account, but there's no SARS branches in Australia - do you know of an alternative solution?

Legal methods for reducing commission tax?



I work in IT and I get paid my normal salary every month and on occasion. I'm also involved with projects where I earn commission. I don't actually know how my commission is calculated, but I'd like to know how I can get more of my commission paid to me instead of being taxed so highly. My Minimal expenses are i.e. calls and some driving around but I don't claim for it because it's usually a very small claim.

Capital Gains Tax: Two



I bought a house in December 2013. In November 2015, I bought a second house and it was registered in my name, February 2017. The intention was to let out the first house, and we moved March 2016, with the first house now being empty. However, in the meanwhile, I decided to sell the first house. I haven't had any tenants staying in the first house, it has been empty for a month now. We stayed in the first house since I bought it, for over two years. Will I be liable for capital gains tax, or wil...

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Splitting medical aid contribution on a tax return



I'm the main member on our medical aid and the R3500.00 contribution gets deducted from my account. However, my husband reimburses me for his half (R1750.00) and essentially we each pay for our own medical aid. To what extent can we each list a medical aid contribution of R1750.00 on our tax return?

When can a taxpayer claim the tertiary tax rebate?



If a taxpayer turns 75 after 1 March 2017, does he/she get the benefit of the tertiary rebate in the February 2018 tax year, and does he/she have to already be 75 at the start of the tax year which would mean he/she can only get the rebate in the 2019 tax year?

Paying a nanny- is it claimable?



If you have a nanny can you claim for the wages you paid to her?

SARS Refund and sequestration



Why do I need to disclose my income tax number in my sequestration court application? Does this mean that I will not get any SARS refunds due to me whilst under sequestration?

Bond credit life cover premiums



Are bond credit life cover premiums tax deductible against rental income? Credit life cover is compulsory, as per the bond approval pre-agreement.

Can expenses incurred from other income be deducted?



If I'm a full time employee plus I do something outside of work that generates income and expenses, can these expenses be deducted?

Is a golf membership tax deductible?



Can I claim tax back on my golf membership fees? I play golf with clients there, have meetings and network new clients. I own a lighting and electrical importing and wholesaling company
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