Tax filing season for individuals began this week, with close to one million taxpayers requesting tax returns.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) says about 220 000 employers have submitted payroll information concerning about 12 million employees and this information will be used to pre-populate your return with data about your salary, your pension and medical scheme deductions and the tax you have already paid.
If your employer has not submitted your details or issued you with an IRP5, you need to visit a SARS branch.
If you haven't yet requested a tax return you can go to SARS's efiling website ( www.sarsefiling.co.za) and use an online wizard to create a tax return; complete and return the Income Tax Return Request form sent to you by mail; visit your nearest SARS branch; or call SARS's new toll-free call centre 0800 007 277.
If you fill in an electronic tax return you need to submit it by January 23 next year. If you want to file on paper, the deadline is November 21.