Strategic Finance

Strategic Finance Stratfinn is a financial compliance and advisory practice. Striving to build you a better business,

27/08/2026

🚨 New SARS Biometric Verification:

Have you recently been asked by SARS to verify your identity using facial recognition? You're not alone.

SARS has significantly expanded its biometric verification system to protect taxpayers against identity theft and tax fraud.

What started with new eFiling registrations now extends to a range of transactions, including:
✔️ VAT registrations
✔️ PAYE registrations
✔️ Certain profile amendments
✔️ Banking detail changes
✔️ Identity verification requests
✔️ Various taxpayer and representative updates

Why is SARS doing this? Cybercriminals have become increasingly sophisticated, taking over eFiling profiles, changing passwords and banking details, and diverting tax refunds into fraudulent accounts.

Biometric verification is designed to ensure that only the legitimate taxpayer can authorise these sensitive changes.

How does it work? Using your phone or computer camera, SARS will ask you to complete a quick facial verification. Your live image is securely matched against Home Affairs records and SARS databases before your request is processed.

A few things to remember:

• An outdated Home Affairs photo (particularly on older green ID books) can sometimes cause verification to fail.


• Always use a device with a good camera and stable internet connection.

• Follow the prompts carefully to avoid unnecessary delays.

As SARS continues to strengthen its digital security, biometric verification is becoming a normal part of the tax process. Being prepared can save you time and frustration when dealing with SARS.

Need help navigating a SARS biometric request? Get in touch with our team and we'll guide you through the process.

First Provisional Tax Deadline is Almost HereThe first provisional tax deadline for:• Individuals who are provisional ta...
17/08/2026

First Provisional Tax Deadline is Almost Here

The first provisional tax deadline for:
• Individuals who are provisional taxpayers
• Companies with a February 2027 financial year-end

Deadline: 31 August 2026

Your first provisional tax payment is an estimate of your taxable income for the current tax year. Getting it right can help you avoid unnecessary interest and penalties later.

If your income has changed, you’ve earned rental, investment or business income, or you’re unsure whether you need to submit a provisional tax return, now is the time to review your position.

Don’t leave it until the last minute.

Need assistance with your IRP6? We’d be happy to help.

📧 [email protected]
📞 011 568 4428

06/08/2026

🚨 SARS has spoken on crypto tax. Here's the plain-English version.

Crypto isn't legal tender in SA (Money)- SARS treats it as an asset, which means most crypto moves trigger tax:
💰 Selling for rands → taxable
🔄 Swapping coin for coin → taxable (it's a barter transaction)
🛒 Spending or getting paid in crypto → taxable
⛏️ Mining, staking & arbitrage → taxed as income at market value.

Trader or investor? It matters: 📈 Active trading = income tax (up to 45% income tax) 🏦 Long-term holding = capital gains tax (up to ~18% effective tax rate)

📁 Keep records for 5+ years

🌍 Foreign exchanges are taxed too — SA taxes worldwide income.

Note: this is SARS's draft guide, so rules may still shift- but the direction is clear. Not sure where you stand? Drop us a DM.

New for the 2026 Tax Season: SARS is now on WhatsApp!SARS has expanded its digital services, making it even easier for t...
04/08/2026

New for the 2026 Tax Season: SARS is now on WhatsApp!

SARS has expanded its digital services, making it even easier for taxpayers to manage their tax affairs directly from WhatsApp.

You can now:
• Receive your Notice of Assessment (ITA34).
• Receive your Statement of Account (SOA).
• Upload supporting documents when requested by SARS.

Even better, taxpayers who are auto-assessed and don’t have access to eFiling or email can now receive their ITA34 directly via WhatsApp.

This is the message you will receive
Dear ### Tax No: ###
SARS has sent you an Income Tax Assessment for the 2026 tax year.
View your Assessment on eFiling, MobiApp, WhatsApp (0800117277), or dial *134*7277 #.
For more information, visit the Filing Season webpage.
If you receive correspondence from SARS and aren’t sure what it means or what action to take, we’re here to help.

31/07/2026

"Where has the tax lady been?" 👀

Well... she's been promoted to full-time mom while still somehow remaining a full-time CEO. ❤️

Maternity leave wasn't really an option for her, but a break from social media definitely was.

Becoming a mom is a huge adjustment. Running a business at the same time is another challenge entirely. Trying to film content while navigating both? That one had to give.

"The past few months have been the most rewarding, exhausting, beautiful, and challenging season of my life. I'm still learning how to balance the things I love most, my work and my family, which I'm sure a lot of people can resonate with. I'm really happy to be back here though" Dom

But she's back. 🙌

Expect plenty of tax tips, business insights, and lots of info on whats happening at SARS. I can't wait to reconnect with you all. 💙📚👶

16/07/2026

New for the 2026 Tax Season: SARS Declaration Alert Questionnaire

SARS has introduced the Declaration Alert Questionnaire to help streamline the tax return process and reduce unnecessary verifications/ audits.

Here’s how it works:

• You submit your ITR12 tax return as normal.
• SARS processes your return and issues your assessment (ITA34).
• If the SARS risk engine identifies certain transactions that require clarification, you’ll be presented with a short Declaration Alert Questionnaire.
• This gives you the opportunity to explain specific transactions before your return is selected for administrative verification.

You have three options:

• Complete the questionnaire immediately.
• Complete it later via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp (within 3 days).
• Decline to complete it.

Why is this important?

If you complete the questionnaire, your return may continue through the assessment process without being selected for verification, and eligible refunds could be paid sooner.

If you don’t complete the questionnaire within 3 days, or you decline it, your return will be routed for verification and the normal SARS verification process will apply.

The questionnaire also gives taxpayers the opportunity to identify mistakes and revise their return using a Request for Correction (RFC) before proceeding.

If you’re unsure how to respond to the questionnaire or receive one from SARS, we’re here to help.

Welcome, 2027 tax year, we are ready for you!
02/03/2026

Welcome, 2027 tax year, we are ready for you!

Before year end, don’t just close the books, optimise them.✔️ Get your records up to date✔️ Review every deductible expe...
19/02/2026

Before year end, don’t just close the books, optimise them.

✔️ Get your records up to date
✔️ Review every deductible expense
✔️ Plan income and expenses smartly
✔️ Maximise RA and qualifying contributions
✔️ Run a tax projection

Small moves now = fewer surprises later.

Provisional tax deadline reminder 📅The second provisional tax payment for the 2026 financial year is due on 27 February....
10/02/2026

Provisional tax deadline reminder 📅

The second provisional tax payment for the 2026 financial year is due on 27 February. This is a key deadline for all provisional taxpayers, both companies and individuals with a February year end and plays a big role in avoiding penalties and interest from SARS.

If you need assistance or would like us to assess your provisional tax before submission, get in touch with us at Stratfinn.

A quick reminder for all provisional taxpayers(Individuals and companies with a February year-end):Your second provision...
22/01/2026

A quick reminder for all provisional taxpayers
(Individuals and companies with a February year-end):

Your second provisional tax return for the current 2026 tax year is due by Friday, 27 February 2026, since the last day of the month falls on a weekend.

Start planning early and make sure your figures are accurate and within range. it saves stress (and penalties) later when you suibmit the 2026 IT12 or IT14.

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