Does paying SARS reduce taxable income?

No. It reduces the amount still owing after the tax is calculated.

SARS eFiling · 6 min

How to Pay SARS — eFiling, eWallet, and the Reference

Wrong reference, right amount: the debt stays open and interest runs.27 September 2026 All articles

Pay from the form that created the debt

Open the ITA34 or IRP6 on eFiling and use Payments. The reference is generated for that liability. Banking-app “pay SARS” still needs the taxpayer number and that reference.

Statement lines

A debit described as SARS / eFiling / IRP6 is tax already paid — not a deductible expense. A credit “EFT A SARS” is usually a refund, not freelance income.

Cannot pay in full

Submit the return. Then request a payment arrangement. Filing late plus paying late is worse than filing on time with a plan.

Questions

Does paying SARS reduce taxable income?: No. It reduces the amount still owing after the tax is calculated.

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.

Find the SARS payments and refunds 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 SARS payments and refunds (free)

3 + 3 free estimates