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Independent Contractor Posts in Tax Q&A

Calculation regarding lump sun withdrawal benefit?

  Written by Evan  

How does the calculation work regarding lump sum withdrawal benefit (3920) from Sanlam Life Insurance Ltd and is the any deduction on that amount?

Can a sales representative claim on car installments?

  Written by Marc  

I just started a new position as a sales representative, and the car I am currently using is quiet old. As I will be travelling a lot to see clients I would like to buy a new reliable car. Would I be able to make a claim on the monthly installments for this new car, as it will be used mainly for work? If so, what percentage can I claim?

How do I dispute an Additional Assessment issued by SARS that is not correct?

  Written by Marc  

Hi Tax Tim

I am very pleased with the work that you are doing here. Keep up the great work!!!

I submitted my tax return to SARS about a month ago and they selected me for verification/an audit because I had a refund payable to me. I submitted all the documentation they required (logbook, receipts etc), but they have recently responded with an addditional assessment stating that I owe them money - which cant be the case, as I am a 100% commission earner (with no basic salary) and I dont have a tax directive...



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Request for Supporting Documents but I have not been employed for 3 years

  Written by Marc  

SARS is asking for supporting documents related to my tax return but I have been unemployed and living abroad for three years! I don't have any of the documents they are requesting. I still pay provisional tax and submit that tax return dutifully. I read that I must swear an affidavit at a police station but I am currently not in the country and won't be back for several months - they need these supporting documents in 21 days. What must I do? (I did email them, asking them what to do, but they ...



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Can I claim a fixed cost travel deduction if I receive a reimbursive travel allowance?

  Written by Marc  

I am needing to do tax returns going back to 2010!! If I received a reimbursive travel allowance (reflected under code 3702 on my IRP5), can I claim a travel deduction based on the fixed cost method?

Employee or consultant - whats easier/more economical

  Written by Marc  

I run my own CC and have been offered a part time position at a previous company I have worked for. Would/should I let my employer pay on my behalf, or would it be better to invoice them as a consultant and pay my own tax. During the time I will be employed I will also be invoicing out other clients through my CC.

If the company my husband works for is liquidates. How does his provident fund payout work?

  Written by Marc  

If the company my husband works for is liquidates. How does his provident fund payout work. He has been with the company for 25 years and the total amount in the "kitty" both portions is R2 800 000. How can we work out how much we will actually get out if they liquidate. Can we apply for a tax directive?

How to declare additional income for freelance work done locally?

  Written by Marc  

I did some freelance web design work on a once-off basis for a local company, how should I declare this income on my tax return?

Does my Statement of Account indicate that I am being audited?

  Written by Marc  

I started with a new employer on 1 March 2014 and a full company vehicle is included in my package. Previously I neither had a company car, nor did I receive a travel allowance. My refund this year, as per my ITA34, is much more than in previous years. It seems that the company I work for also deducted almost R1000 per month too much fringe benefit tax from my salary if one compares the SARS calculation to the actual tax paid. I also did not log many private kilometres, since I am not office bound, as a sales rep, and often work from home...



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Can I claim a lump sum financial lease installment settlement as a deduction for tax purposes.

  Written by Marc  

If I am currently paying a finance lease for a vehicle and then subsequently decide to request a settlement figure from the bank and pay the remainder of the finance debt off to the bank can I claim the lump sum settlement as a deduction for tax purposes?

Can I used the deemed cost option for vehicle expenses

  Written by Marc  

Does the option Deemed cost for vehicle expenses apply for the 2015 tax year?

Options or rules for claim on depreciation and travelling allowance claim.

  Written by Marc  

When I complete my tax return can I complete the Travel claim against allowance and the depreciation (4027) section. The form allows me to complete both sections but when my claim was submitted and once audited the removed the depreciation amount(4027). How do I calculate the best method to claim if I am only allowed to complete one section.

Tax Directive for CCMA Settlement

  Written by Marc  

I got paid out by my previous employer after a CCMA settlement in excess of R170 000. How do I know if they requested a tax directive for this and is it required?

Travel claim to client site

  Written by Marc  

As a consultant on a salary with a car allowance (3701) onsite 18 of every 20 days, can I claim travel to the client's place of business?

Vehicle expenses for business

  Written by Marc  

When I was a sole proprietor, taxed under my own name, if I drove somewhere on business-related matters, I used my own vehicle. I then claimed those business kilometres as a proportion of the total expenses and depreciation on my vehicle over the course of the tax year. Now I have a (registered) private company - can I still follow the same process, and claim the travel expenses as a tax deduction for my BUSINESS? If not, what are the options for me?

Want to register for a tax number?

  Written by Marc  

I have been tax exempt since 1997 when I left the forces. Been operating on a ad hoc basis doing upholstery work for people privately at home and never completed any tax forms as such. I left the trade seeing it didn't enhance my life at all living on the edge to provide for family. Started as an independent recruiter in 2008 and earning between R 60 - 120 p/annum. Haven't got a tax number and want to know if I have to register and if so how do I go about to registering for a tax number?

No IRP5 -Can't claim Home office Expenses???

  Written by Marc  

A Client of mine does freelance work via Paypal. She earns 3500-5500 per month. This income is not shown on an IRP5 and because there is no IRP5 on her tax return, she can't claim her half of her and her husband's Home Office Expenses as this option is Greyed out on eFiling if you don't have an IRP5. What to do???

How do I reflect income on my tax return from an additional job which I don't have an IRP5 for?

  Written by Marc  

I have an IRP5 for my full time job but I did a few hours of consulting (around 30 hours in total) at weekends which I personally invoiced for. How do I reflect this on my tax return? I have paid no tax on the additional hours so far.

Does Pension Lump Sum Income get added to Normal Income for determining tax liability?

  Written by Evan  

Do you get taxed twice when withdrawing early before age 65 from a pension fund? So the first tax is when the tax directive is issued by SARS, and then the second when you complete your tax return and declare the lump sum payout as an income. Does this pension lump sum income get added to your normal income to increase your total income when determining tax liability?

Tax returns for 2007 needed

  Written by Marc  

My tax have been submitted 13/8/2015 and they asked to supply a logbook which I did. My tax for 2014 was not done and have submitted those aswell. My 2015 tax was not being audited but my 2014 is under audit. When I log onto SARS eFiling it says my penalties are R500. I have called them now and they said ny penalties are R1500. And I have to submit my 2007 tax returns. I do not have any of those documents anymore as its 8 years back. How can I go about the difference in penalties fee's and submi...



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What is the advantage/disadvantage of carrying over a loss?

  Written by Evan  

What is the advantage/disadvantage of carrying over a loss? What does SARS mean by "ring fencing" this profit/ loss?

Refund withheld due to supporting documentation denied

  Written by Marc  

As this was my first year registering and submitting my tax return, I submitted all tax returns up to 2008. I was thus requested to provide supporting documentation for the 2013 tax year. I uploaded my IRP5 document as proof via SARS eFiling, but this was denied. I do not have any other documentation as I am not claiming for any expenses. I do not have medical aid, nor received travel/petrol allowance etc. I do however contribute to a retirement annuity fund which I have included in my 2014 and ...



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Where do I fill in the amount received for travel allowance?

  Written by Marc  

I am struggling to find the tab where I need to fill in the amount received for travel allowance, where do I fill in the amount received for the travel allowance?

Tax return with commission?

  Written by Marc  

I have never done my tax before. I've always earned a small basic and a lot of commission since I have worked as a beauty therapist. How do I go about submitting my tax return?

the only proof I have got for expenses are banking statements. I have received a IRP5 form for this tax year

I don't have an IRP5 as I am an independent contractor

  Written by Evan  

I did not receive an IRP5 as I am an a independent contractor/consultant. All my income was derived through consulting work. Tax Tim is now saying that I need information from my IRP5 or there is a conflict. I am a provisional tax payer and yet the amount I paid in as provisional tax is never requested?
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