{"id":557,"date":"2026-02-12T12:41:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:41:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sage-new-clone.local\/en-za\/blog\/?p=441"},"modified":"2026-02-12T12:41:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:41:37","slug":"tips-to-make-tax-year-end-easier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tips-to-make-tax-year-end-easier\/","title":{"rendered":"3 tips to make Tax Year-End easier for small business owners"},"content":{"rendered":"<header class=\"entry-header has-dark-background-color entry-header--has-illustration entry-header--has-illustration--generic\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__row row align-center\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"col col-lg-7 col-xlg-6 entry-header__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"component component-single-header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-header__misc text--subtitle text--uppercase text--small\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/category\/strategy-legal-operations\/compliance\/\" class=\"entry-header__link\">Compliance<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-title-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"entry-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 tips to make Tax Year-End easier for small business owners\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"entry-header__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"single-post-details container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"posted-on \"><time class=\"entry-date published\" datetime=\"2026-02-12T12:41:04+02:00\">February 12, 2026<\/time><\/span><span class=\"reading-time\"> min read<\/span>\n\t\t<button\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"social-share-button button button--icon button--secondary js-social-share-button\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-title=\"3 tips to make Tax Year-End easier for small business owners\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/tips-to-make-tax-year-end-easier\/\"\n\t\t\tdata-share-text=\"Please read this interesting article\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__share-label\">Share<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-label\" hidden>Copy Link<\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"social-share-button__copy-tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\" hidden>Copied<\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author has-dark-background-color alignfull\">\n\t<div class=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"co-authors\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-author-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"entry-author\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/author\/vireshharduth\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"40\" height=\"40\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/04\/Viresh-Harduth-Sage-2-350x350.jpg\" class=\"entry-author__image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<span class=\"entry-author__name\">Viresh Harduth<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Many small business owners have their hands full with tax paperwork. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re one of them, the admin probably ranks low on the list of your favourite things to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, filing accurate tax returns and meeting the South African Revenue Service (SARS) deadlines is one of the most important obligations you face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The interest accumulated and penalties payable on late or inaccurate VAT, pay-as-you-earn (PAYE), or company income tax returns can be harsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means it is in every small business\u2019s interests to prepare the relevant submissions on time and ensure they are accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we highlight three ways to get it right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-here-s-what-we-ll-cover\">Here&#8217;s what we&#8217;ll cover<\/h3>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#speak\" data-level=\"2\">1. Speak to an accountant<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#know\" data-level=\"2\">2. Know the deadlines<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#automate\" data-level=\"2\">3. Automate processes and keep electronic records<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Tax saving strategies for small business<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Learn how to navigate the South African tax system, and discover insights on legally minimising tax liabilities as you grow your business.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-f7818258-c05a-411b-9d66-231848d018e6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1338\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1357880802-1338x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1357880802-1338x810.jpg 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"speak\">1. Speak to an accountant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you\u2019re an accountant, it\u2019s wise to seek help from a qualified professional to understand your tax obligations, including annual ITR14 SARS submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ITR14, or Income Tax Return, is a form that SARS requires all registered companies to complete and submit once a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This submission is where you declare your income and expenses so SARS can calculate how much tax your business needs to pay or how much of a tax refund SARS needs to pay to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re operating through a sole proprietor or through a partnership, you can submit your annual ITR12 Income Tax Return and provisional tax submissions yourself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, a registered tax practitioner can help you ensure you\u2019re compliant with SARS regulations and provide advice about reducing your tax bill by maximising the tax deductions you\u2019re entitled to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a firm or a professional registered with recognised bodies such as The South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) or the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), Southern African Institute for Business Accountants (SAIBA) or South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for someone with good references and who has an established base of small business customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"know\">2. Know the deadlines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It would be best if you met some important deadlines each financial and tax year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Registered companies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You must file a compulsory provisional tax return six months from the start of the financial year and another at the end of the financial year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may make a voluntary submission and top-up payment six months after year-end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit your Company Income Tax Return (ITR14) within 12 months of your financial year end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a February year\u2011end, file by 28 February of the following year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Provisional taxpayers (sole proprietors)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Provisional tax (IRP6) dates for individuals: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>1st payment by 31 August.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2nd payment by 28\/29 February.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>optional 3rd\/top\u2011up payment by 30 September (effective date for a February year\u2011end).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Filing Season for individuals normally runs from July to October for non\u2011provisional taxpayers, with provisional taxpayers having until January to file via eFiling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sars.gov.za\/types-of-tax\/personal-income-tax\/filing-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SARS Tax Season<\/a> page each year for exact opening and closing dates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-paye\">PAYE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Submit your EMP201 by the 7th of the following month. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the 7th falls on a weekend or public holiday, submit and pay by the last business day before that date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EMP501 reconciliations: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Interim (1 March\u201331 August) must be submitted from 1 September to 31 October.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Annual (1 March\u201328\/29 February) must be submitted from 1 April to 31 May.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-vat\">VAT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>VAT201 due dates: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Manual submission and payment by the 25th<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>eFiling submission and electronic payment by the last business day of the month.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"single-cta gated-content\">\n\t<div class=\"single-cta__positioner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__wrapper has-dark-background-color\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"single-cta__title h3\">Tax saving strategies for small business<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"single-cta__description\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Learn how to navigate the South African tax system, and discover insights on legally minimising tax liabilities as you grow your business.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#gate-f7818258-c05a-411b-9d66-231848d018e6\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"single-cta__button button button--primary\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>Download your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1338\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1357880802-1338x810.jpg\" class=\"single-cta__image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/09\/GettyImages-1357880802-1338x810.jpg 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 48em) 33vw, 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"automate\">3. Automate processes and keep electronic records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many small business owners still use Excel spreadsheets and paper bank statements, bills and receipts to track their assets, liabilities, inventory, expenses and payments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This approach is time-consuming and prone to error. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And it also means you may end up paying an accountant more to capture and reconcile your transactions in a proper accounting system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can save time and frustration for yourself and your accountant by capturing every transaction in an electronic accounting system as it takes place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sound accounting system<\/a> will make it easy for you to send invoices, track outstanding payments, and monitor expenses \u2013 today\u2019s cloud-based solutions are easy to use and affordably priced on a monthly subscription.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Look for a solution that lets you import transactions from your bank account directly into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-za\/sage-business-cloud\/accounting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accounting software<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will make it easy to generate profit and loss statements when you need to file SARS submissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor&#8217;s note: This article was originally published in February 2024 and has been updated for 2026 to reflect SARS guidance and current deadlines.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover why speaking to an accountant, being clear on deadlines and automating your processes will help at Tax Year-End 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