Question:
I have paid income tax for about three years, but never registered. I was unaware of the need to register with SARS as tax was deducted from my salary every month.

What impact will this have on me for the future?

Answer:
Many people are under the impression that they do not need to register with SARS if they work for a company and tax is taken from their salary cheque. This is not the case. Everyone earning above R60 000 per year must register with SARS.

The good news is that you will not get penalised. You must, however, register with them as soon as possible. All they will do, is ask you for the IRP5 forms from your employer going back to when you started.

If you have already registered with them and then stop sending in returns they will notify you by mail and if you fail to respond they will issue summons. So always make sure that they have your correct postal address.

If you are earning additional income (for example rental income) you must also register as a provisional tax payer.