SARS Explains How Home Office Workers Can Claim Tax From Them
- Reports state that the South African Revenue Service confirmed recently that people will now be able to claim expenses from their home offices
- There are various prerequisites that one needs to meet in order to qualify for the newly reported benefits from the country's revenue services
- Briefly News takes a deep dive into what SARS would be looking for from individuals so that their claims can be successful
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The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has confirmed that individuals are permitted to claim for home office expenses provided they meet specific criteria.
A room needs to be equipped solely for the purposes of the employment roles and responsibilities. The room must be used regularly for work and for only that. With around 50% of the work being completed in the designated home office.
The individual may only maintain a salary from the job based around the home office.
Source: Getty Images
Requirements
The specific home office expenditure mentioned in section 23(b) includes:
- Rent of the property;
- Cost of maintenance
- Other expenses namely:
- Phones;
- Internet;
- Stationery;
- Rates and taxes;
- Cleaning;
- Office equipment and;
- Wear-and-tear.
According to BusinessTech, tax deductions are calculated for the area of the home designated for work purposes on a pro-rata basis. This factors in the square meters of the area of the home office versus the total square meters of your home.
A report by IOL revealed that individuals interested in claiming could visit TaxTim who provide a home office expense calculator.
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SARS targets the wealthy
Briefly News previously reported that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has directed its focus to wealthy South Africans in an attempt to better its revenue compliance and collection. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni announced in his budget speech that there would be a unit established to improve compliance.
This unit will target individuals with detailed financial arrangements and wealth - known as the High Wealth Index (HWI) Unit. The HWI came into effect on 1 April. Following the announcement, new operating models were adopted.
SARS sends letters to individuals who are being scrutinised
SARS reportedly sent letters out to a few of the wealthy taxpayers it plans to watch. The letters detailed future plans for the unit and how it will improve tax collections. It further informed the taxpayers how the unit will monitor their tax portfolios and profiles.
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Source: Briefly News
