{"id":15300,"date":"2025-07-10T17:07:47","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T15:07:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=15300"},"modified":"2026-03-12T10:17:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:17:08","slug":"sars-file-tax-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/sars-file-tax-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Students, Freelancers or Part-Timers Need to File a Tax Return in South Africa?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Filing a tax return is a legal obligation for many South Africans, but not everyone must submit one every year. Students, freelancers, and part-time workers often wonder if they need to file. This article clarifies who must file a tax return in South Africa for the 2024\/2025 tax year, based on income thresholds, types of income, and other criteria set by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>ALSO READ:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/7-mistakes-that-can-get-your-sars-tax-return-audited-in-2025\/\">7 Mistakes That Can Get Your SARS Tax Return Audited in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-must-you-file-a-tax-return\">When Must You File a Tax Return?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>SARS requires individuals to file a tax return if they meet <strong>any one<\/strong> of the following conditions during the tax year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are a South African tax resident and earned <strong>gross income exceeding the tax threshold<\/strong> based on your age:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under 65 years: R95,750<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Between 65 and 74 years: R148,217<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>75 years or older: R165,689<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You carried on a trade or business (including freelancing or self-employment), even if your income is below the threshold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You earned <strong>capital gains or losses exceeding R40,000<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You received income from foreign sources or held foreign assets valued over R250,000 at any time during the year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are a non-resident earning South African-sourced income or capital gains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SARS has specifically requested that you submit a tax return.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-374500972\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-about-students\">What About Students?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many students earn income from part-time jobs, internships, or freelancing. If your total income exceeds the relevant tax threshold, you must file a return. Even if your income is below the threshold, you may want to file a return if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You had tax deducted (PAYE) and want to claim a refund.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You earned income from multiple sources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You want to declare any scholarships or bursaries that are taxable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Students should keep records of all income, including stipends, freelance earnings, and interest from bank accounts. Filing a return can help ensure you receive any refunds due.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-freelancers-and-part-time-workers\">Freelancers and Part-Time Workers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Freelancers and part-time workers are often classified as carrying on a trade or business. SARS requires these taxpayers to file a return regardless of income level because tax may be owed on business profits or other income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you earned income as a freelancer or part-timer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep accurate records of all payments received and related expenses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Declare all income, including cash payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you earned below the threshold but had tax deducted, filing a return can secure a refund.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-2714864051\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sars-filing-dates-and-auto-assessment\">SARS Filing Dates and Auto-Assessment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The 2025 tax filing season opened on 7 July 2025 for auto-assessed taxpayers and runs until 20 October 2025 for individual taxpayers who must file manually. Provisional taxpayers, including many freelancers, have until 19 January 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SARS uses third-party data (from employers, banks, medical schemes) to auto-assess many taxpayers with simple tax affairs. If you qualify for auto-assessment, SARS will notify you, and you may not need to file unless you disagree with the assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-summary-checklist-do-you-need-to-file\">Summary Checklist: Do You Need to File?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Did you earn more than R95,750 (if under 65) or the applicable threshold for your age? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you earn income from freelancing, part-time work, or business activities? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you have tax deducted and want a refund? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you earn capital gains above R40,000? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you hold foreign assets or earn foreign income? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did SARS request you to file? <strong>Yes \u2192 File<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-694940939\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-convenient-compliance\">Convenient Compliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students, freelancers, and part-time workers in South Africa must carefully <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sars.gov.za\/types-of-tax\/personal-income-tax\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">assess their income<\/a> and circumstances each tax year. If you meet any of SARS\u2019s criteria, you are legally required to file a tax return. Filing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sars.gov.za\/tax-rates\/income-tax\/rates-of-tax-for-individuals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ensures compliance<\/a>, allows you to claim refunds, and avoids penalties. For complex situations, consulting a tax professional is advisable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong>\u00a0This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Readers should consult a registered financial service provider (FSP) or a qualified professional registered with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fsca.co.za\/Pages\/Default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)<\/a> before making any financial decisions or tax-related actions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Do you need to File a Tax return?\" width=\"755\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iMoIOFew9Ng?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/iMoIOFew9Ng?si=qzz-x91wJVt6ma6C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">YouTube<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Filing a tax return is a legal obligation for many South Africans, but not everyone must submit one every year. Students, freelancers, and part-time workers often wonder if they need to file. This article clarifies who must file a tax return in South Africa for the 2024\/2025 tax year, based on income thresholds, types of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":15302,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Filing a tax return is a legal obligation for many South Africans, but not everyone must submit one every year. 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