SARS is asking for more documents. Are they auditing me?

For most people upon submission of their year-end income tax return, either nothing much will happen or a refund will be due, this being paid back within a matter of days. However in a small number of cases SARS requires extra documentation or proof to be submitted so that they can verify that everything you submitted in your tax return is correct. Don’t be afraid, although many people consider this an “audit” it isn’t nearly as frightening as that and doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. A true audit would be SARS requesting years of past documentation and opening up for examination all your tax affairs from previous years.

When you are requested to submit supporting or additional documentation, you will receive an email from SARS with a letter attached requesting the documents they need within 21 days (3 weeks). If you miss that deadline you are sometimes allowed a further 21 days, but it's best to submit during the first period. Simply put, all the documents you used to enter in the amounts in your ITR12 income tax return are the ones you would need to submit. SARS essentially wants proof that the amounts you entered are in fact true.

In order to submit these documents to SARS, you have four options:

Option 1: If you are a TaxTim user, simply login and click on the tax return that needs documents uploaded for. Click on the button that says "Submit supporting docs". Upload your documents.

Option 2: Use SARS eFiling online. When you log into your eFiling profile, there will be a new section below your return saying, “documents for review”. Here you can upload or scan in all the required documents for SARS. Try to avoid uploading big files and upload them one at a time as the system can be slow or unreliable at times. Only upload files smaller than 2mb and ideally a pdf. Make sure you have all your documents uploaded or scanned before clicking the Submit button as you cannot go back and submit a second time. If you left something out you would then need to go into a SARS office or post them the additional documents, so be sure to upload EVERY document required before submitting.

Option 3: Visit the nearest SARS office and speak to a consultant, or drop your documents in a SARS drop box.

Option 4: Post your documents in an envelope to this address:
SARS
Alberton
1528

SARS will then review these documents and hopefully within 0-90 working days, you will receive the potential refund due to you. SARS may come back asking for more documents so be sure to provide them with everything first time around to avoid this and get your return processed faster.

If you are one of the few people randomly selected for review, don’t worry. Be patient and follow the procedures and you’ll remain both tax compliant and in good standing with SARS.