When It Applies

Not For

• Calculating tax liability, deciding objection grounds, or submitting SARS responses without tailored tax advice.

Documents

• SARS notice
• Assessment
• Statement of account
• Request for relevant material
• Penalty notice
• Tax returns
• Financial statements
• Bank records
• Invoices
• Payroll records
• Practitioner correspondence
• Question list

Timeline

• Immediately: identify the SARS process and next deadline.
• Before consultation: collect SARS notices, tax records, calculations, and adviser correspondence.
• During consultation: confirm route, missing evidence, and fee scope.
• Afterwards: calendar all SARS dates and save proof of delivery.

Tips

• Lead with the SARS deadline.
• Keep accountant and lawyer roles clear.
• Do not submit explanations casually if legal consequences are unclear.
• Save every SARS upload, notice, and statement of account.

Warning Signs

• A SARS deadline is close or already missed.
• There is a collection step, penalty, audit, criminal-risk concern, or large assessment.
• Records are incomplete or controlled by a third party.
• The accountant and taxpayer disagree about what was submitted.