Tags: tax return efiling deadline, 22 november 2013 tax return deadline, individual tax returns, tax returns, complete your own tax return

If you're anything like me, you leave things till the last minute. Normally I'd do the same with submitting my tax return. But it's just as well I chose to start the process early this year.

It wasn't as straightforward as loading my return, filling in my details and hitting submit. I had all sorts of additional expenses I needed to claim. And I had no idea where to start.

It's just a pity I didn't use this one tool...

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How I should've completed my tax return without any issues
 
If you have a complicated return, or you think SARS might disallow your claims, you have to do what I didn't.
 
If you don't, you could end up filing an incorrect return and then face bigger problems with SARS, like having your claim rejected. Or paying money to SARS when you thought you'd get a refund.  
 
My return wasn't straightforward. I went back and forth with SARS. I eventually got to a point where I could submit my return.
 
Getting all the proof together was a nightmare but nothing compared to the run around SARS gave me once I submitted my return.
 
All I needed to do was open my Tax Returns made simple: How to complete your own Tax return report and I would've had all the answers I needed.
 
It's too late for me, but if you haven't submitted your return yet, it's not too late for you. There are seven ways to make sure your submission is effortless. Here's how...
 
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Tax filing season is open. Read on and discover how SARS will give you a tax discount for:

1. Your doctor's bill the medical aid doesn't want to cover.

2. Your donation to the Blind Dog Association.

3. Investment exemption, so you pocket even MORE of your investment income!

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Seven ways Tax Returns made simple can help you submit your tax return to SARS effortlessly
 
This little gem will give you:

1. A brief introduction to tax. Goodbye stress, goodbye expensive tax consultants!
2. The insider's guide to identifying potential tax deductions.
3. Step-by-step guidance on the six things you need to complete your tax return by yourself.
4. Expert guidance with screenshots from actual tax return forms to show you exactly how to fill in your tax form.
5. Tax tables, SARS contact details and sample forms.
6. Tax deadlines and what to do if you've missed them.
7. And so much more!

If you don't have a copy yet, make sure you get one quickly. You're running out of time to submit your return.
 
If you have a story you'd like to share with us or have published on how you won a case against SARS or were able to a refund you never thought was possible please send it to me at . if your story is published we'll send you a free report on 5 Tax Deductions that'll save you over R110 000 in your company today!
 
Until next time
 
Natalie Cousens
Managing Editor: Practical Tax Loose Leaf service
 
Ps. Do you have burning fringe benefit question you'd like answered? Subscribe to the Practical Tax Loose Leaf today. Over 2 000 of your peers are already benefiting from this service.

Author: Natalie Cousens