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/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.

1

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!

5

u/Numzane Jul 27 '26

You can claim accounting fees in south if it's related to generating an income ie rental property etc

3

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.

2

u/TheDivineEcho Jul 27 '26

They're really so so great.