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Chapter 14
Related Sections
1
INTRODUCTION
2
Categories of SMMEs
3
TYPES OF BUSINESSES
4
Sole trader or sole proprietor (Owner)
5
Partnership
6
Close Corporation (CC)
7
Company
8
Co-operatives
9
REGISTRATIONS AS A NEW EMPLOYER
10
Summary of the statutory registrations required for employers
11
Employee’s tax – PAYE
12
Unemployment benefits (UIF)
13
Skills Development Fund and Levy
14
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA)
15
Occupational Health and Safety
16
Formalising the employment relationship with employees
17
INCOME TAX
18
Provisional tax
19
How to register as a taxpayer
20
What happens if you do not pay tax or pay late?
21
SARS eFiling
22
VALUE-ADDED TAX (VAT)
23
VAT vendors
24
Who should register as a VAT vendor?
25
How do you register for VAT?
26
How does VAT work?
27
BUSINESS LICENCES
28
What types of business need a licence?
29
How to get a business licence
30
Does the business licence have to be renewed?
31
What happens if a person sells food and does not get a business licence?
32
Informal trading and hawking
33
EXPORTING AND IMPORTING
34
Permits for exporting and importing
35
Goods that are subject to export and import controls
36
Registering as an exporter and importer
37
ADMINISTRATION SKILLS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
38
Bookkeeping
39
Payroll and personnel records
40
Other important records
41
Filing
42
Filling in forms
43
SUPPORT FOR SMMEs
44
The Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA)
45
Thusong Service Centres
46
National Small Business Advisory Body
47
PROBLEMS
48
Problem 1: What type of business to start
49
Problem 2: Starting a business which needs a business licence
50
Problem 3: Is being a VAT vendor worth it?
51
Problem 4: Drawing up a business plan
52
MODEL LETTER
53
Model letter of appointment
54
CHECKLISTS
55
Checklist: When starting a business
56
Checklist: Business Licence Types

SARS eFiling

Electronic filing (eFiling) through the SARS eFiling website is a way of submitting your tax returns electronically. This method of submitting your returns removes the risks and problems of manually sending in your tax returns.

Before submitting your tax returns, you first need to complete the registration process on www.sarsefiling.co.za. Click on ‘Register’. 

The main benefits for taxpayers of eFiling are that it is simple, much faster and more convenient. The other benefits include:

  • Being able to view all form-related correspondence with sars
  • Being able to view history of payments and forms submitted online
  • Help facilities and online guides
  • Due-date reminders via sms and email
  • Tax forms and payment tracking
  • Electronic confirmation of all transactions
  • Request for extensions
  • Request for tax directives

WHAT IS THE COST?

The eFiling service is offered at no charge. However, normal service charges for Internet Banking payments will apply.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS INVOLVED?

There are three options to register for tax:

  1. Automatic registration for personal income tax

To register on eFiling go to www.sarsefiling.co.za.Click on ‘Register’ and follow the prompts. You can also register for SARS eFiling on the SARS MobiApp and follow the same steps.

When you register for SARS eFiling for the first time and you do not have a tax reference number, SARS will automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. You must have a valid South African ID to register for eFiling.

  1. Register through your employer with SARS eFiling

Ask your employer to register you with SARS. eFiling allows employers to register their employees with SARS for income tax. 

3. Register at a SARS branch office

You can visit a SARS branch, where a service consultant can help you register for tax. Remember to take all important documents such as your original ID document.  

For more information, contact the eFiling Call Centre on 0800 00 7277 [08h00 to 16h30, except Wednesdays: 09h00 to 16h30, and excluding weekends and Public Holidays,  or visit the website: www.sarsefiling.co.za.