Introduction to Personal Income Tax (SARS Basics) is a practical, beginner-friendly session designed to help you understand how personal income tax works in South Africa. Whether you’re a first-time taxpayer, freelancer, or young professional, this session will walk you through the essentials—how tax is calculated, how to register with SARS, and how to confidently submit your tax returns using eFiling.

Learn how to make sense of tax brackets, deductions, and your rights as a taxpayer—all explained in simple, relatable terms. This is your opportunity to take control of your taxes and avoid costly mistakes—no prior tax knowledge required. Just bring your curiosity, questions, and a notepad.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Understand how personal income tax works in South Africa

• Know how to register and interact with SARS

• Learn how to submit tax returns via eFiling

• Be familiar with tax brackets, codes, and deductions

• Understand their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers

Target Audience:

• First-time taxpayers

• Freelancers and self-employed individuals

• Entry-level professionals

• Anyone needing a basic understanding of SARS

Session Outline:

1. Welcome & Overview (15 min)

• Introduction of facilitator & objectives

• Brief poll: “What do you know about tax?”

2. Understanding the South African Tax System (30 min)

• What is SARS and how does it work

• Types of taxes: income tax, VAT, PAYE

• Who must pay personal income tax

3. Taxpayer Registration & Tax Numbers (20 min)

• How to register as a taxpayer

• Understanding your SARS profile & tax number

4. SARS eFiling Walkthrough (30 min)

• Creating a SARS eFiling profile

• Navigating the dashboard

• Completing and submitting a tax return

5. Tax Brackets, Codes & Deductions (30 min)

• Current tax brackets explained

• Source codes and what they mean

• Allowable deductions (medical, travel, retirement, etc.)

6. Taxpayer Rights & Responsibilities (15 min)

• Key rights as a taxpayer

• What happens if you don’t file

• Dealing with penalties, audits, and disputes

7. Practical Demo / Case Example (20 min)

• Sample tax return submission

• Interpreting an assessment from SARS

8. Q&A & Wrap-Up (15–30 min)

• Open floor for participant questions

• Key takeaways and resource links

• Feedback and next steps