Claiming deductions for business expenses working as an independent contractor for a foreign company

  Written by Marc   Posted 19 November 2014

I work as an independent contractor for a company based in San Francisco, USA from my home office in Cape Town. Each month I invoice them for the number of hours worked and they pay in USD and I handle the forex to convert that to Rands.

I have some expenses directly incurred in generating this income (telecoms costs, software licenses, computer equipment depreciation and a portion of my electricity and rent for the home office, etc). I don't have an IRP5 from them since I'm not an employee and they aren't a South African company...

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Tax refund query - Maternity

  Written by Marc   Posted 19 November 2014

I had to pay back my salary that was paid while on maternity leave (due to resigning). Can I claim back from Sars? I did not receive any money from UIF.

Medical plan contribution?

  Written by Marc   Posted 19 November 2014

I make a medical plan contribution of R850.00 each month. this amount includes the employers' contribution. The contributions are kept in a separate bank account and not controlled/managed by organisations like Discovery Life etc, therefore I cannot provide a tax certificate for this medical plan. What should I do in this case?

Maximum amount under code 3703

  Written by Marc   Posted 19 November 2014

My company reimbursed me an amount of over R50k on code 3703 (non-taxable reimbursement) for fuel used during the tax year. SARS then moved the full amount to code 3702 (taxable reimbursement) saying that this amount exceeded the max allowable for code 3703 which is R25920 (8000km x R 3.24). They now want me to pay more than R15k in additional taxes. They asked me now to provide an amended IRP5 showing not more that R25920 under code 3702 which I have requested from my employer. Is there anythi...

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I only earned interest R342K pa what will my tax liability be?

  Written by Marc   Posted 19 November 2014

I only earned interest R342K pa what will my tax liability be?

Why do I not get more back from SARS?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

What does it mean if for the last 3 years I've gotten R0.00, -R0.26 and -R0.33 as a refund?
Most of the people I've spoken to say that I should be getting something substantial back from SARS.

I do have code 4018 but im prompt that I DO NOT have it, what now?????

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

Please make the below changes before continuing:

You can't enter income protection as a deduction if your IRP5 deductions list doesn't contain source code 4018

MY IRP5 DOES CONTAIN 4018 WHAT NOW???

Want to declare my expenses like medical and get my refund

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

Want to declare my expenses like medical and get my refund?

Audit - what does it mean?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I have submitted my tax return on eFiling and I was selected for an audit, now I see there's a notice stating statement of account tax assessed. Does that mean my audit is completed? If so how long does it take for pay out?

Great website, very informative....

Reistoelaag kodes 3701 & 3702 verskil

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

Hallo. Wat is die verskil tussen die reistoelaag kode 3701 & 3702 en wat is die impak daarvan?

Capital Gain Tax for Private Vehicles Used for Business?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I have a private vehicle which I use for business purposes.
I receive a travel allowance and also claim deductions on my return, based on the business mileage I do on the vehicle.

If I sell this vehicle, would I calculate capital gain/loss on the sale of the asset to input in my tax return?

If a educational service is rendenderd can I claim depreciation on laptop and other expenses?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I rendered services to a home schooling business by draw up exam papers for them and receives the money by electronic payment. No tax is deducted by them because I am not on their payroll. Can I deduct depreciation on my computer. Can I claim any other expenses like internet service, printing. Can I claim a home office?

Uncertain as to whether I should be completing a tax return.

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I have been working on contract for various companies during the last tax year March 2013 to December 2013. I only starting working for the Department of Justice on 6th January 2014. I have received a IRP5 form from the Dept and nothing previously but I am registered as a taxpayer. How do I go about completing my return?

What is I dont claim the kilometres travelled but I have a travel allowance?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

what if I have travel allowance and I don't claim the kilometres I traveled?

Incorrect Submission

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I Submitted my returns through Tax Tim and upon completing, I was advised by SARS that I had a refund of R11,123.67. Unfortunatly, I realised I had submitted incorrect amounts, in my submission. I requested a correction on the SARS website and resubmitted the correct amounts. I am subsequently by informed I now owe SARS R11123.67. Please advise

Can I claim back any of the tax I pay on my house now that I work from home?

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I have recently changed jobs and now I telecommute... that is, I work from my home in Cape Town even though the company I work for is based in Johannesburg. I am using my own office space, as well as my own internet connection for work purposes (though I get a modest monthly allowance for internet usage). Am I able to claim back any of the municipal rates and taxes that I pay on my home now that I am using it as my place of work?

Income tax on salary from a non- profit organisation in USA

  Written by Marc   Posted 18 November 2014

I"m working for a non-profit organisation in America. How does the income tax work?

What is the - sign for on my ITA34?

  Written by Marc   Posted 17 November 2014

when an assessment is done and I get a refund amount with a - sign what does it mean e.g refund amount -R 300.00

Was unemployed for the year but paid medical aid and received local interest, can't file return?

  Written by Marc   Posted 17 November 2014

I don't live in South Africa anymore but I did contribute to a medical aid last year for 5 months. Plus I have an investment that has earned interest. I never earned any other income in South Africa, only in the country that I live in now. If I want to file my tax return I would only need to fill in the medical aid contributions and my local interest. On the first page of my tax return it does not allow me to create a form where both medical aid contributions and local interest appears. If ...

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Can I claim back tax from contributing a monthly amount to a parent?

  Written by Marc   Posted 17 November 2014

I make a monthly contribution to my mother as she is a pensioner. Would I be able to claim back on this tax?

SARS need documents. What do I do?

  Written by Marc   Posted 17 November 2014

SARS need documents. What do I do?

Must I go into SARS to register bank details?

  Written by Marc   Posted 17 November 2014

Hi TaxTim,

I have submitted my tax return for this season and I am owed a refund by SARS.
I have never filled in my banking details before as have only been working for 1.5 years now. Must one always go into a SARS office to register bank details if one hasn't been asked? Or can I simply do it on efiling and only if they request me to go in, then I should?

Finally, if I am required to take all the banking documentation into a SARS office, can I do it when tax season is over? Or must I do it before the 21st of November? ...

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Charitable donations - where do you list them and how do you find out if the church qualifies?

  Written by Marc   Posted 15 November 2014

- Where on the tax return do I list my charitable donation?
- How do I find out if the church I contributed to qualifies as a PBO? Apparently there is a list they need to be on?

Tavel Expenses no Allowance

  Written by Marc   Posted 15 November 2014

As a commission earner with no allowance I have travelled about 15 000 km what method do you suggest I must use to claim the fixed method of R 3.24 per km or what else

WHAT ARE DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES FOR SELF-EMPLOYED SURGEONS

  Written by Marc   Posted 15 November 2014

I am a self-employed surgeon in the private sector. My business is my primary source
of income with most expenses [ including the astronomical amount for my insurance!] being
covered by it.

How do I fill in my tax return? What can my deductible expenses be? I travel to congresses
regularly and cover most of those expenses on my own.

When I was employed in the state sector it was much easier with my IRP5 Form.
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