Tax Compliance Officer

Short Summary of the purpose of the role :

To ensure the correct and accurate completion of Income Tax Returns, as required by the South African Income Tax system.

Academic Qualifications Required :

Matric with accountancy.

Minimum of 3 years experience in a similar role.

Skills, Competencies and Experience Required :

Skills :

1. Technical knowledge related to job, i.e., knowledge of South African Income Tax.
2. Consistently complete Income Tax Returns correctly and accurately.
3. Effective organisation of daily tasks (time management, planning, administration and reporting skills, meeting deadlines).
4. Client focus – internal and external (responding to client needs, service).
5. Problem-solving.
6. Teamwork.

Experience :

1. Experience in completion of Income Tax returns.
2. Communication (verbal and written).

Required Computer Packages :

1. Microsoft Office and / or Open Office and / or Lotus.
2. Tax Planner.
3. Professional Series (Accfin).

Key Duties and Responsibilities – Key Performance Indicators :

To perform the following functions :

• Generation of Provisional Tax Return list from GreatSoft for Designated clients.
• Ensure that all lists are given to relevant Directors in advance to make notes.
• Assist with the calculation of provisional tax estimates, where required.
• Upon finalisation of all lists, ensure provisional tax letters are generated via eDocs and sent to the client.
• Submission of all Provisional Tax Returns via GreatSoft – upon receipt of signed letter. Ensure all provisional tax deadlines are met.
• Complete Income Tax returns, based on financial statements generated by the Audit and Bookkeeping Departments.
• Complete Income Tax Returns, based on the necessary information obtained from clients, other than those for which financial statements have been prepared for by the Audit and Bookkeeping Department.
• Attach all necessary documentary proof to the completed Income Tax returns, so as to terminate unnecessary queries and revised assessments from SARS.
• Complete Tax returns, forward to PAs to arrange for clients’ signature, and lodge returns with SARS within the shortest possible turnaround time, all other constraints considered, so as to ensure that submission deadlines are met.
• Deal with queries from SARS relating to Income Tax returns completed, at the discretion of the relevant director.
• Monitor the submission of returns for the relevant director(s) ensuring that returns which can be submitted are submitted timely.
• Application to SARS for registration of clients on eFiling, where required.
• Drafting of statements of assets and liabilities, capital reconciliations and tax computations.
• Calculating third and additional top-up payments when required.
• Ensuring finalisation of all verifications or audits.
• Follow-up on all payments and refunds due by / to designated clients on a list.
• Ensure all payments and refund letters are sent to clients timeously via GreatSoft.
• Checking Assessments against original and correct tax calculations to identify differences.
• Informing the Tax Manager of any differences for possible objections.
• Additional assessments to be identified and communicated to Tax Manager to request reasons and possibly object.
• Controlling general administration of key duties and responsibilities and ensuring all required functions are adhered to with relation to eFiling, GreatSoft and eDocs.
• Performing any other tasks, which may be reasonably expected.
• Requesting SARS to remit various penalties for various entities and tax types.
• Application for various tax directives.
• Compliance with the firm’s System of Quality Management (SOQM), policies and procedures.
• Compliance with the firm’s Employee Code of Conduct which consists of the firm’s HR policies, SAICA, IRBA and IESBA Codes of Conduct.

Work Complexity :

Supporting one or more directors.

Level of Independence :

Work independently with limited daily supervision.