When is the provisional tax deadline in South Africa?

# When is the Provisional Tax Deadline in South Africa? South Africa has **two provisional tax deadlines** each year: **31 August** for the first payment and **28 February** for the second payment. ## First Provisional Tax Payment The first provisional tax payment is due **six months after the start of your tax year**: - **Individuals and trusts**: 31 August (tax year runs March to February) - **Companies**: Depends on financial year-end, but typically 31 August for February year-end companies - **Payment amount**: Based on your estimated taxable income for the full year ## Second Provisional Tax Payment The second provisional tax payment is due at the **end of your tax year**: - **Individuals and trusts**: 28 February - **Companies**: Last day of their financial year - **Payment amount**: Total estimated tax for the year, minus the first payment already made ## Who Must Pay Provisional Tax? You're liable for provisional tax if your total tax liability (excluding employees' tax) exceeds **R1,000** for the year. This applies to: - Self-employed individuals - Company directors receiving income - Rental property owners - Investment income earners - Anyone with income not subject to employees' tax ## How to Calculate Provisional Tax SARS provides three calculation methods: 1. **Basic amount**: Previous year's assessment plus 8% 2. **Estimated assessment**: Your own estimate of current year liability 3. **Comparable assessment**: Based on comparable period from previous year ## Penalties for Late Payment Missing provisional tax deadlines results in: - **20% penalty** on outstanding amount - **Interest charges** at the prescribed rate - **Additional penalties** for repeated non-compliance ## Filing Your Return Provisional taxpayers have extended filing deadlines: - **Individual returns**: Due by 20 January (following the tax year) - **Company returns**: 12 months after financial year-end Managing multiple clients' provisional tax deadlines can be overwhelming during peak periods. WeekdayApp automatically tracks SARS compliance deadlines for accounting practices, ensuring no critical dates are missed, starting at R199/user/month. ## Important Notes - Payments must be made through SARS eFiling or authorised payment channels - Keep proof of payment for your records - If your estimate is significantly understated, additional penalties may apply - Consider making voluntary payments if your income increases during the year