Provisional tax payments is not a separate tax but pre-payments of income tax for a specific tax year.
These pre-payments ensure that the tax load is spread over the tax year and can avoid a nasty surprise when SARS calculates (assesses) the final income tax liability for that specific tax year.
- There are three provisional tax deadlines:
- Submission of the first provisional tax return (IRP6) is compulsory for provisional taxpayers even if no provisional tax is payable. Submission of the first IRP6 and payment of provisional tax (if applicable) is due within 6 months of the start of the tax year.
- Submission of the second provisional tax return (IRP6) is also compulsory for provisional taxpayers even if no provisional tax is due. Submission of the second IRP6 and payment of provisional tax (if applicable) is due within 12 months after the start of the tax year.
- Submission and payment (if applicable) for the third provisional tax return (IRP6) is voluntary. The due date for the third IRP6 depends on the date on which the tax year ends.
- SARS provides guidelines to assist taxpayers in estimating the amount of provisional tax due.
- If provisional tax was overpaid, the excess amount will be refunded to the taxpayer with interest. However, SARS will do the refund only after the final income tax liability for that tax year has been calculated (assessed) by SARS and the amount of the final income tax liability is less than the sum of the provisional tax payments for the relevant tax year.
- Underpayment of provisional tax will result in the imposition of (avoidable) penalties and interest by SARS.
If you need professional assistance with the calculations, submission or payment of any of the above returns or would like more information on the penalties and interest that can be imposed if you miss one or more of the above deadlines, please do not hesitate to contact any SARS office.
This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or ommissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice.
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