Overview

The 2026 filing season continues to present significant operational and compliance challenges for tax practitioners. From SARS eFiling system outages and verification delays to incorrect auto-assessments, VAT suspensions, beneficial ownership requirements and trust compliance complexities, practitioners are required to navigate an increasingly demanding environment while continuing to deliver efficient client service.

This webinar provides practical guidance and actionable solutions to the most common challenges currently being experienced when dealing with SARS. The session moves beyond legislative theory and focuses on practical workarounds, best practices, escalation procedures and strategies that practitioners can immediately implement within their practices to improve efficiency, manage client expectations and reduce compliance risks during filing season.

Webinar Content

This webinar covers the following key areas:

• Navigating SARS eFiling system overloads, server outages and technical failures.
• Managing auto-assessments and correcting inaccurate third-party data.
• Preparing verification-ready returns and addressing prolonged verification delays.
• Understanding the implications of the increased compulsory VAT registration threshold and voluntary deregistration considerations.
• Responding to VAT registration suspensions and managing high-value diesel refund audits.
• Addressing failed Requests for Remission (RFRs) and utilising alternative SARS channels and escalation pathways.
• Managing Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) applications and historical tax non-compliance.
• Practical provisional tax planning and the use of tax directives for taxpayers with fluctuating income.
• Resolving practitioner profile, taxpayer portfolio and client-linking challenges on eFiling.
• Practical guidance on beneficial ownership filings and ongoing compliance obligations.
• Managing trust compliance challenges and completing the ITR12T accurately.
• Reconciling Statements of Account and resolving payment allocation and balance discrepancies.
• Frequently asked questions, common filing season mistakes, SARS escalation routes and practical tips for improving turnaround times.

Competencies Development

Upon completion of this webinar, participants should be able to:

• Identify and implement practical solutions to common SARS operational and system-related challenges.
• Apply best practices for managing auto-assessments, verifications and supporting documentation requests.
• Advise clients on VAT registration, deregistration and cash-flow implications arising from recent legislative changes.
• Effectively manage disputes, Requests for Remission and escalation procedures with SARS.
• Improve proficiency in handling Voluntary Disclosure Programme applications and historical compliance matters.
• Strengthen practitioner capabilities in managing beneficial ownership filings, trust compliance and taxpayer portfolio administration.
• Reconcile taxpayer accounts more effectively and resolve Statement of Account discrepancies.
• Enhance client communication and expectation management during filing season.
• Apply practical strategies that improve efficiency, reduce compliance risks and support better outcomes for both practitioners and taxpayers.

Presenter

Carmen Westermeyer

Com(Honours Accounting) [UND] CA(SA)

Carmen Westermeyer graduated in 2001 from the University of Natal, Durban (now UKZN), with a BCom Honours degree in Accounting and completed her articles with PwC, where she remained until 2006. She has been a member of SAICA since then.

In 2008, she started her academic career at UKZN, where she performed a number of functions, taking on the role of Academic Leader for Taxation. On leaving academia in 2013, Carmen has been providing training and consulting services to the profession. She has presented on behalf of various professional bodies, such as SAICA, FASSET, CSSA as well as providing in-house training to numerous accounting firms. The topics covered include all aspects of income tax, VAT, estate duty as well as the health levy (sugar tax). In addition, she regularly consults on tax matters as well as assisting with SARS disputes.

She is also the Chair of the SAICA Eastern Region Tax Committee, a member of the SAICA National Tax Operations Committee and is an Accounting Member of the Tax Court.

CPD

Attending this webinar and the successful completion of the online assessment will secure a certificate of completion for 2 hours of Tax CPD.

Event Investment

Free for Tax Technician, Tax Practitioner, Tax Accountant CPD subscribers and Practice Packages. Not a CPD subscriber yet? Click here to register now.

• Regular price:  R460.00
• Group booking discounts available when you register for a group.

Payments & Cancellations

• All payments must be made by EFT or by credit card, at least 3 working days before commencement of an event.
• Kindly note that should payment not be received 2 days after the event, legal action will be taken
• Proof of payment will be requested at registration, if payment does not reflect on Tax Faculty's bank account.
• Cancellations:
  • Only written notice of cancellation will be recognized.
  • If the cancellation occurs more than 4 working days prior to the event no cancellation fee will be charged.
  • If the cancellation occurs less than 4 working days prior to the event a 100% cancellation fee will apply.
• Delegates who book and fail to attend will be liable for the full event fee.
• Tax Faculty`s liability in the case of an event being cancelled will be limited to a refund or credit of the event fee.
• Please click here for the full terms and conditions.