Freelancer & Provisional Taxpayer Checklist (IRP6 + ITR12) | 2025/2026 & 2026/2027 | Editable PDF

Declare. Deduct. Dominate. Before SARS asks.

Are You a Provisional Taxpayer? If You're Not Sure, You Probably Are.

You earn freelance income. Side-hustle income. Rental income. Commission not subject to PAYE.

You can be employed AND be a provisional taxpayer. Having a payslip does not automatically exclude you.

And if you haven't been filing IRP6 returns, SARS will find you. When they do, the penalties are not gentle:

• 10% late payment penalty on the unpaid amount
• Interest from the due date
• Up to 20% underestimation penalty

The Freelancer & Provisional Taxpayer Checklist tells you exactly what to file, when, and with what evidence.

What's Inside

📋 Section A: Provisional Taxpayer Status

• Confirmation checklist for provisional taxpayer status
• Registration requirements
• Deadline tracker for the three payment dates

📋 Section B: Business Income Records

• Income statement / profit and loss statement
• Bank statements (1 March to 28 February)
• Invoices issued to customers
• Client payment records
• Foreign platform income (PayPal, Upwork, Fiverr, YouTube)
• Exchange rate records
• Rental income schedule
• Investment income records

📋 Section C: Business Expense Records

• Expense receipts for all business costs
• Home office schedule, floor plan, and measurements
• Internet and phone bills with business-use percentage
• Laptop and equipment invoices with wear-and-tear
• Software subscription receipts
• Travel logbook with odometer readings
• Vehicle expense records
• Professional fees and industry memberships
• CPD and training receipts

📋 Section C2: Occupation-Specific Deductions for Freelancers

• Medical Professionals & Locums
• Teachers & Tutors
• Engineers & Technical Consultants
• Sales & Commission Earners
• IT Consultants & Software Developers

📋 Section D: Provisional Tax Calculation

• Estimated taxable income
• Estimated tax liability
• Safe harbour check
• Tax reserve calculation
• Method comparison for travel claims

📋 Section E: Before You Submit

• Income declaration check
• Deduction support check
• Banking details verification
• Outstanding returns check
• Outstanding tax debt check
• 5-year retention reminder

📋 Section F: After You Submit

• IRP6 submission confirmation
• Payment proof saved
• Next deadline diarised
• ITA34 saved

📋 Declaration

• Signature and date lines

Who This Is For

• Freelancers and consultants
• Side-hustlers earning income outside PAYE
• Rental property owners
• Commission earners
• Directors of private companies
• Anyone who received a provisional tax notice from SARS

What You Get

• ✅ Editable PDF with fillable checkboxes
• ✅ Deadline tracker for 2026/2027 payments
• ✅ Occupation-specific deduction references
• ✅ 2025/2026 & 2026/2027 tax years
• ✅ Instant digital download

Guarantee

If you use this checklist and don't feel more confident about your provisional tax status, email us within 7 days for a full refund.

Disclaimer

General information only — not tax advice. Always verify current SARS requirements with SARS or a registered tax practitioner before filing.