Compliance · 7 min
Freelancer Record-Keeping SARS Will Actually Ask For
A colourful spreadsheet is optional. Source documents are not.27 September 2026 All articles
Income file
Invoices with dates and client names, contracts or statements of work, proof of payment that matches the bank, and any IRP5/IT3(a) if a client put you on payroll as 3616. Foreign clients still belong on a South African resident return unless a specific exemption applies.
Expense file
Tax invoices (not only card alerts), lease or coworking terms if you claim premises, asset invoices for wear and tear, and a note of business-use percentage for mixed phones and internet. Mixed retail (Takealot, Checkers) stays out until you can say what the line was.
How long
Keep records for the period the Tax Administration Act requires — treat five years from the date of submission or assessment as the working minimum, longer if an audit is open. Cloud folders beat a shoebox. Encrypt if the folder leaves your machine.
What Taxzi is
A worksheet from statements you uploaded. PDFs are not kept. The worksheet is not a statutory record. You keep the invoices. You file. Confirm record rules on sars.gov.za.
Questions
- Is the bank statement enough?
- It shows money moved. Verification still wants invoices and contracts that explain the lines.
- Does Taxzi store my PDF?
- No. We read it and drop it. Keep your own copies.
Disclaimer: This is general guidance based on the South African Income Tax Act and published SARS Interpretation Notes as at the 2026/2027 year of assessment (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027). It is not professional tax advice. Deductibility depends on your facts. Confirm current figures on sars.gov.za before you file.
Related reading
Tax Tips
Freelancer Tax Guide South Africa - What You Must Know
Tax Tips
Capitec and FNB Statements for Tax — What to Download
Tax Tips
What Documents Do You Need for Your Tax Return?
Deductions
Wear and Tear on a Laptop — Interpretation Note 47, Not the Full Price
Guide
Section 11 Deductions
Guide
Provisional Tax
Guide
Wear and Tear (IN 47)
Profession
Freelancer deductions
Profession
Graphic Designer deductions
Profession
Management Consultant deductions
Find the freelance expense claims in your bank statements
Upload bank statements. Taxzi flags lines that may qualify under SARS rules. Mixed shops stay out until you say what they were. You confirm every claim. This is guidance — not a filed return.
Works with FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, Capitec, Investec and Discovery Bank PDF statements.
Check my statement for freelance expense claims (free)3 + 3 free estimates