On Wednesday (12 November), the South African Revenue Service (SARS) hosted a webinar on tax support for people with disabilities to commemorate Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM). The webinar focused on practical tips and advice on claiming tax relief on disability-related expenses for people with disabilities and/or their caregivers.
Here are some of the top tips:
- Ensure you have a valid and correct ITR-DD form (This is valid for 10 years for people with permanent disabilities, but needs to be renewed yearly if you have a non-permanent disability).
- Declare your disability on your tax return with the supporting documents, and don’t worry too much about updating your status online. It is more important that the information reflects on the returns.
- Confirm your condition or illness is considered a disability by SARS, and that your claims align with your disability, i.e. if you don’t have a visual impairment, your handheld GPS can’t be claimed.
- Check the items listed and relevant tax credit limits so that you know what and how much can be claimed.
- All claimed medications need to be prescribed by a doctor; thus, over-the-counter medication can’t be claimed. Continence management and wound care products as well as the costs for a wound care nurse are claimable.
- Track your disability-related travel expenses as these can be claimed (if they fall in the SARS parameters). For example, if you travel far to purchase a new wheelchair, you can claim that expense.
- Small donations from friends, family and organisations should be declared as income, but won’t be taxed as long as it is below the thresholds stipulated by SARS.
- Keep diligent record! You might not need to submit everything when you do your tax return, but you might need the records if you get audited.
If you want to learn more or watch the full webinar, visit the SARS Youtube channel, or watch below:
