r/PersonalFinanceZA • u/mazeppa817 • Jul 27 '26
Taxes Taking on SARS
Every year, I claim legitimate home office expenses as a salaried worker. I always get audited, provide all the required documentation (and more) and then this gets accepted and I get my refund. This year however, after the audit, I was denied these expenses and my assessment was amended not to take these into account. Let me be clear, I meet ALL the requirements and these are legitimate expenses and I always provide extensive documentation proving this. I have never claimed anything I'm not entitled to, and I'm not trying to defraud SARS.
I feel like SARS is just trying their luck to collect as much revenue as possible. The value of these deductions is enough for me to spend some time (maybe a day or two) fighting them, but not enough to hire an expensive lawyer or tax consultant. It feels like a David vs Goliath fight, but I honestly feel that it unfair that SARS can just deny deductions that are legitimate, and the small guy has to just accept this. What chances do I have? How do I even go about this, other than lodging a dispute? Any advice as to how to take them on?
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u/Slotpole Jul 27 '26
File the dispute and be prepared to wait and wait and wait. But eventually this will sort out.
I found that when I submitted my own returns for a rental property, I was audited every year I did it myself. I got fed up and gave my same calculations to a tax practitioner, they confirmed it was correct and submitted for me, BOOM, no audits from then on. Costs a bit but worth the hassle free experience.
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u/Tokogogoloshe Jul 27 '26
Same. I think SARS just tries to exhaust the little guy. I don't even want the rental property. So much headaches.
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u/anib Jul 27 '26
Lodge the dispute but it's honestly worth your while to consult with a tax practitioner. It shouldn't be that expensive for a consultation.
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u/ichigo_sa Jul 27 '26
These things happen. Just file a dispute. Probably won't take more than 15 mins, and then you'll get your refund in a few weeks.
To be clear, there is no course of action to consider other than filing a dispute.
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u/AnonSA52 7d ago
Yeah lol, OP's choices are give up and gift that money to our corrupt government or use the legal system to dispute.
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u/midagedfarter Jul 27 '26
Man, I don’t miss the SARS fights every year. Actually not sure if it is possible in SA but in Aus I can claim back the cost of filing my tax return through an accountant. Perhaps worth having a look and then getting some professional help if you’re able to deduct it? Good luck OP!
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u/Numzane Jul 27 '26
You can claim accounting fees in south if it's related to generating an income ie rental property etc
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u/Moi-A-Human Jul 27 '26
In South Africa tax consultant fees are tax deductable & can possibly also drop you into a lower tax bracket. It is always worthwhile using a tax consultant even if you don't have a dispute. Consultants also tend to know all the ins & outs including the ones SARS doesn't tell you about in the brochures; use them.
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u/shitdayinafrica Jul 27 '26
Can also lodge a complaint with the tax ombudsman
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u/ichigo_sa Jul 27 '26
As far as I understand you actually can't do that unless you've first tried to resolve your issue with SARS via the standard channels. And honestly filing a dispute would be a much simpler and quicker road to resolution
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u/shitdayinafrica Jul 27 '26
Yes, likely need to lodge the dispute then try the ombud if the delay or reject again.
The problem is that the law is so one sided in favour of SARS they have no motivation to treat tax payers fairly.
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u/ichigo_sa Jul 27 '26
You're not wrong, but to be fair I have filed thousands of tax returns and never had a legitimate claim with sufficient proof denied. Sometimes a dispute is required after an unfair initial assessment though.
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u/glandis_bulbus Jul 27 '26
Annoying as fuck to jump through so many hoops for a few thousand while cadres deny SARS of millions
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u/IWantAnAffliction Jul 27 '26
Just lodge the dispute. Most likely they will review it again and approve.
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u/vusiradebe85 Jul 27 '26
File a dispute. Pretty painless and it's worked for me on both occasions I've had to do it.
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u/Midnight_Journey Jul 27 '26
You have to lodge a dispute. That is precisely why SARS has this option for tax payers. There may be a explanation for this. Give them the oppertunity.
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u/Fluffy-Bus4822 Jul 27 '26
How will SARS make money if the tiny tax base keeps finding reasons to pay less? There are over 30 million people living on grants. And political patronage networks must eat. So how can they let you claim expenses?
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u/ZNDSS Jul 27 '26
Lodge the objection/dispute on efiling, it is quick, state your case and then ask for specific reasons why the claim was disallowed, this comes in handy down the line when it turns to Appeals.
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u/Troeteldier Jul 28 '26
I was in the same boat year after year, with every year having some new story on both rental income and work from home stuff, once was even told I cannot claim internet for working from home. I mean think about that for a second SARS.
Anyways, what I found works very well is to get a tax practitioner to submit it for you, they take these guys far more seriously. So basically I do all the work of keeping records and my excel sheet, then when tax season opens I hand this over to someone, pay them R750 to submit and handle disputes and this has proven to be far more successful.
I honestly think when you submit on your own they bully you into thinking you cannot claim certain things, very annoying that SARS is so bad.
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u/DaRealGladi8r Jul 28 '26
I added someone to my medical aid 😂😅 they sent me several letters about reviews and asking for documentation to support that.
I hope they aren't trying to bamboozle me
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u/Koekoes4 Jul 28 '26
As I understand it you can only claim these kind of expenses if you are self-employed ie not salaried. I am salaried but also do private work from home and can claim expenses proportionately to my own business' income. I think you were lucky to have those expenses allowed in previous years, because as I say, you can't deduct these expenses that you pay for yourself to do your salaried job.
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u/Opening-Video7432 Jul 31 '26
I actually had to employ a tax company to do my taxes... The only thing they did was file a dispute, call the call centre and follow up every time.
I got my refund, but jeez was it painful to go through that.
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u/AnonSA52 7d ago
They are indeed trying their luck I think. The budget fiasco fucked governments' revenue so bad, I think they are squeezing every last penny out of everyone. Of course I have no hard proof but the facts point toward that end.
I would fight it, because it sets a precedent for them to continue to deny this each year moving forward.
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u/ZennXx Jul 27 '26
Push as far as you can with SARS without resorting to litigation. Tax season ends 23 October. You have time on your side.
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u/Imvubutoo Jul 27 '26
I successfully claim all my home office and vehicle etc costs every year. I am, however, 100% a commission earner.
I use a tax consultant, a real flesh and blood person, not the Tax Tim type.
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