Unlocking financial control this tax season

THE chill of midwinter has settled over South Africa, and while most people are focused on beating the cold, there's another familiar season quietly sweeping in: tax filing. But what if, instead of bracing yourself for stress or paperwork, you saw your tax return for what it is, a chance to take control of your financial story?

- FERNE NAGY

A tax return isn’t just paperwork; it’s a financial tool. It allows individuals to recoup costs that they’ve already incurred in the course of earning their income. If you're not claiming what you're allowed to, you're leaving money behind.”

Tax isn’t a once-off event. It’s a moment to review, realign, and unlock real value. And in today’s digital world, the right mix of human insight and tech-savvy support has never been more important.

Tax in the age of AI and automation

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has made advances in automation, most notably through Al-powered auto-assessments. In 2024 alone, over 4.8 million taxpayers received pre-filled tax returns.

It’s fast. It’s easy. But it’s not foolproof.

AI only sees what it’s been fed. It can’t interpret your full financial picture like side hustle earnings, unreimbursed business expenses, or retirement top-ups. And when the data’s incomplete, your return is too. Technology is a powerful enabler, but without human insight, it can cost you.