SARS Notice: Employer Filing Season

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued a notice regarding the employer filing season for the interim period ending August 2022. This notice provides important information for employers and stakeholders.

In preparation for the opening of the Employer Interim Reconciliation Filing Season on 19 September 2022, it is important to note that the prepopulated liabilities reflected on the Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) during the period 14 to 16 September 2022 may not be complete. This will only impact employers who had a Revised Declaration (EMP201) processed during this period for a month within the relevant EMP501 reconciliation period.

If you are an affected employer, it is advised that you submit the Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) starting from Monday, 19 September 2022. This will ensure that your filing is complete and accurate.

It is important for employers to comply with the filing requirements during the employer filing season. Failure to do so may result in penalties or other consequences. By submitting the Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501), employers are providing SARS with important information regarding their employees’ tax and other related matters.

The Employer Interim Reconciliation Filing Season is an opportunity for employers to reconcile and submit their employee tax certificates, as well as to declare and pay any outstanding liabilities. This process helps to ensure that employees’ tax affairs are in order and that the correct amount of tax is paid to SARS.

During the filing season, employers are required to submit the following documents:

1. Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501): This form is used to reconcile the amounts declared on the monthly Employer Declarations (EMP201) with the amounts reflected on the employee tax certificates (IRP5/IT3(a)).

2. Employee Tax Certificates (IRP5/IT3(a)): These certificates provide details of the employees’ earnings, deductions, and tax paid during the tax year.

3. Payment Advice (EMP201): This document is used to declare and pay any outstanding liabilities to SARS.

It is important to note that the filing season has specific deadlines that must be adhered to. Failure to meet these deadlines may result in penalties or other consequences. Employers should ensure that they have all the necessary information and documents ready before the filing season opens.

In conclusion, the SARS Notice regarding the employer filing season provides important information for employers and stakeholders. It highlights the need for affected employers to submit their Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) starting from 19 September 2022 if they had a Revised Declaration (EMP201) processed during the period of 14 to 16 September 2022. Employers are reminded of the importance of complying with the filing requirements and meeting the deadlines during the filing season. By doing so, employers can ensure that their employees’ tax affairs are in order and that the correct amount of tax is paid to SARS.