Navigating the Minefield of Provisional Tax in 2026
Duration: 2 hours
Price: R195.00
Navigating the Minefield of Provisional Tax in 2026
Presenters : Yolisa Dyasi
Overview
Provisional tax has evolved into one of the most high-risk and frustrating compliance areas for tax practitioners. It is no longer just about doing the maths; it is about navigating system glitches and aggressive SARS scrutiny. From the “catch-22” of penalty remission applications to the complexities of foreign income registration, errors are costly, and fixing them is often procedurally blocked.
This video equips practitioners to manage risk proactively, handle systemic blockers, and advise clients with confidence.
Video Content
- “Process Not Followed” Penalty Loop: How to navigate the procedural deadlock where SARS rejects a Request for Remission (RFR) and instructs taxpayers to object, only to reject the Objection (NOO) because “an RFR must be submitted first”, and how to break this cycle for Paragraph 19 underestimation penalties.
- Defensible Estimates & Loss-Making Companies: Practical guidance on filing estimates for companies with assessed losses and when it is appropriate to file a “Nil” return without triggering an audit or underestimation penalty.
- The “Nil Return” Interest Trap: Unpacking the recent trend where SARS charges section 89quat(4) interest on clients who submitted “Nil” provisional returns because PAYE covered their liability, and how to dispute these interest charges.
- Foreign Income & Provisional Status: Clarifying the registration requirements for South African residents earning foreign income and ensuring correct provisional taxpayer registration to avoid non-compliance flags.
- Transitioning Debt to Final Assessment: Understanding how provisional tax debt (and payment arrangements) carries through to the final ITR14 assessment, and managing client expectations regarding immediate payment demands versus six-month relief.
- Handling Assessments: How to deal with situations where SARS demands immediate payment.
- Understanding Provisional Tax Requirements: Clarifying who qualifies as a provisional taxpayer and avoiding common classification errors.
- Key Considerations Before IRP6 Submission: Making defensible estimates supported by appropriate documentation.
- Streamlining the Submission Process: Improving efficiency, consistency, and quality control in high-volume environments.
- Identifying Potential Risk Areas: Recognising red flags that trigger SARS scrutiny, penalties, and audits.
- Provisional Tax and the Audit Process: Managing SARS engagements proactively as provisional tax increasingly becomes an audit trigger.
- Section 89quat Interest: Understanding the financial impact and mitigating exposure through planning rather than objection.
Competencies Developed
After viewing this video, participants are able to:
- Correctly identify and apply provisional tax requirements in line with the Fourth Schedule
- Make and document defensible provisional tax estimates
- Reduce exposure to underestimation penalties and section 89quat interest
- Implement practical systems and controls to improve submission accuracy
- Identify high-risk provisional tax positions before SARS intervention
- Manage provisional tax audits with greater confidence and foresight