Eswatini Revenue Service

Self Assessment

WHAT IS SELF-ASSESSMENT?

This is a simple mechanism by which taxpayers assess themselves on income that has accrued, been received or made in their favour, in any year of assessment. It is a system whereby the taxpayer is given the responsibility to compute their tax liability.

HOW IS SELF-ASSESSMENT DIFFERENT FROM THE TRADITIONAL ASSESSMENT?

This mechanism provides for taxpayers to furnish their own assessment and submit same to the SRA. The submitted income tax return is then deemed to be an assessment by the Commissioner General; that is, any taxable income so declared by the taxpayer and any tax payable being the respective amounts shown in the return that is submitted by the taxpayer.

The traditional method of assessment requires a taxpayer to submit returns and in the process await a notice of assessment from the Commissioner General, informing the taxpayer of their tax liability.

WHO IS REQUIRED TO SELF-ASSESS?

Taxpayers who are required to self-assess have been gazetted as follows;

Companies under Large Taxpayer Unit;
Individuals under Large Taxpayer Unit; and
Companies registered for Value Added Tax.

Once fully implemented all other taxpayers will be required to self-assess.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF SELF-ASSESSMENT?

Taxpayers are given the role of assessing themselves to determine their tax liability;
Keeping of business records remains a compliance requirement;
Payment are to be made on or before the return submission due date.

ADVANTAGES OF SELF-ASSESSMENT

The self-assessment mechanism has the following advantages:

Taxpayers will have a better understanding and appreciation of tax computations;
Provides better control of taxpayers’ tax affairs as they ensure that their assessments are up to date and reflects the true tax position;
The direct involvement of the taxpayer in the tax computation lead to better financial planning; and
Compliance is enhanced as a result of better financial planning.

TAXPAYER’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER SELF-ASSESSMENT

To be honest when computing their tax liability; penalty is charged for fraudulent declarations.
To submit tax returns on or before the due date. If the last day of submitting of returns falls on a public holiday or weekend, the return must be submitted on the last working day prior to the public holiday or weekend. Late return submission attract late submission penalties.
To pay Provisional Tax on or before the due date. The first payment must be made within six months from the commencement of the year of assessment (July each year) or approved financial year-end date; the second payment must be made not later than the last day of the year of assessment or approved financial year end date; and the third payment must be paid on or before the due date of the tax return. Interest is imposed on late payments.
To reference payments correctly.
To keep full and accurate records of business activity. The records must be sufficient to enable proper return of income; kept in Swaziland; in English or siSwati language; and must be kept for at least 5 years. Failure to keep proper records or failure to keep them for the necessary five years is an offence.

NOTE: Section 39 of the Income Tax Order, 1975 provides for the SRA to carry out administrative assessments (i.e. raising estimated assessments) for taxpayers who do not submit income tax returns within the stipulated time and in the manner prescribed.

SRA’S RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS SUPPORTING SELF-ASSESSMENT INCLUDE: