Personal Tax Durban covers individual income tax: the annual ITR12, auto-assessments, rental income, freelance earnings, travel claims, capital gains and refunds SARS is holding back.
Most people overpay or underclaim on the same handful of items. The fee for getting it right is usually less than what a missed deduction costs.
Your income types, whether you were auto-assessed and whether any past years are outstanding.
Get Quotes From Accountants in DurbanWho Has To File
- Anyone who earned income other than a single salary. Rental, freelance, investment or business income.
- Anyone claiming deductions. Travel, home office, retirement annuity or medical expenses beyond the standard credits.
- Provisional taxpayers. Anyone earning income not subject to PAYE above the prescribed limits.
- Anyone who disposed of an asset. Property, shares or a business interest triggering capital gains tax.
- Anyone with foreign income or assets. Including offshore investments above the reporting thresholds.
For the 2026 year of assessment, auto-assessment notices went out between 1 and 12 July 2026, manual filing opened on 13 July 2026, and non-provisional individuals must file by 23 October 2026.
Deductions Commonly Missed
| Deduction or credit | What to keep |
|---|---|
| Retirement fund contributions | Annual contribution certificate, limited to 27.5% capped at R350,000 |
| Medical scheme fees credit | Scheme certificate showing members and months |
| Additional medical expenses credit | Receipts for qualifying out-of-pocket costs |
| Travel allowance claim | A complete logbook, without which the claim fails |
| Home office | Floor area calculation and proof of the employer requirement |
| Section 18A donations | A valid section 18A receipt from the PBO |
| Rental property expenses | Bond interest, rates, levies, repairs and agent fees |
| Wear and tear on own equipment | Purchase invoices and a usage basis |
Every claim needs supporting documents kept for five years. SARS disallows undocumented claims on verification, which is how refunds turn into assessments.
Situations That Need More Than A Basic Return
- Rental property. Expense apportionment and losses that may be ring-fenced.
- Selling a property. Base cost, the primary residence exclusion and improvements documentation.
- Share incentive schemes. Section 8C timing and valuation are easy to get wrong.
- Working abroad. The foreign employment income exemption is capped, and tax residency is a separate question from where you live.
- Divorce or death in the family. Asset transfers and estate duty interact with your own return.
If you also run a business, the personal and business returns interact. See Accountants Durban for firms handling both.
Personal Tax Durban Prices
Indicative Durban ranges, excluding VAT, per return.
| Situation | Indicative fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salary only, one IRP5 | R450 - R950 | Medical and retirement included |
| Salary plus investments | R750 - R1,600 | IT3(b) and IT3(c) schedules |
| One rental property | R1,200 - R2,800 | Income and expense schedule |
| Multiple rental properties | R2,500 - R5,500 | Per return |
| Sole proprietor or freelancer | R1,500 - R4,000 | Includes a business schedule |
| Capital gain on property or shares | R1,800 - R4,500 | Base cost calculation |
| Foreign income or expatriate | R3,500 - R12,000 | Double tax agreement analysis |
| Prior year returns, each | R750 - R2,500 | Catch-up filing |
| Objection against an assessment | R2,500 - R12,000 | Per objection |
Indicative Durban ranges, not a quotation. Fees rise with the number of income sources and with any years that are outstanding.
Send your income types and compare fees from registered practitioners.
Compare Personal Tax PractitionersFrequently Asked Questions
When must individuals file their tax return?
For the 2026 year of assessment, non-provisional individuals must file by 23 October 2026. Provisional individual taxpayers have until 22 January 2027. SARS publishes the dates in the Government Gazette each year.
Should I just accept my auto-assessment?
Only if it is complete. Auto-assessments use third-party data and cannot include rental income, freelance earnings, travel claims or home office costs. If any of those apply, correct and submit the return.
How much does a personal tax return cost in Durban?
A salary-only ITR12 typically costs R450 to R950 excluding VAT. Adding a rental property takes it to R1,200 to R2,800, and capital gains or foreign income to R1,800 to R12,000.
Can I claim home office expenses?
Only if you meet the section 23(m) and 23(b) requirements: a specifically equipped area used regularly and exclusively for work, and for most employees, more than half the work performed there. SARS tests these claims closely.
Why is my refund delayed?
Usually a verification. SARS requests supporting documents and holds the refund until they are reviewed. Banking detail mismatches and outstanding returns for other years are the other common causes.
Related Accounting Services in Durban
Accountants Durban is a free quote-comparison service. The accounting, tax and audit work is carried out by the independent firms and practitioners that quote you, and your engagement is with the firm you appoint. Ask each firm for its registration details, professional body membership and a written engagement letter before appointing anyone.
Personal Tax Durban. Compare individual tax return fees from registered practitioners covering Durban.
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