Beginner's Guide to Company And Personal Income Tax Self-Study Course

This course gives beginners a clear, practical introduction to how income tax works for individuals and companies in South Africa. It explains the core building blocks—who is taxed, what is taxable, what can be deducted, how tax is calculated, and what SARS expects in basic compliance—without getting too technical. Learners will leave with a “working understanding” of the difference between personal income tax and company income tax, and how common transactions affect each.

Who will benefit:

• Beginners entering tax, bookkeeping, payroll, or junior accounting roles
• Small business owners who want clarity on personal vs company tax
• Admin staff supporting basic SARS compliance (entry level)
• Anyone needing a foundation before moving into provisional tax, VAT, or more advanced topics

TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• The Income Tax Big Picture — How SARS Taxes People and Businesses
• Individuals vs Companies — Two Different Taxpayers
• Tax Residency and “Where You’re Taxed” (High Level)
• What Counts as Taxable Income?
• Exempt and Non-Taxable Amounts (Common Everyday Examples)
• Deductions — What You Can Claim (and What You Can’t)
• Personal Income Tax — How the Calculation Works
• Company Income Tax — How the Calculation Works
• Provisional Tax — The Link Between Business Profits and Paying Tax During the Yea
• SARS Compliance Essentials — What Must Be Filed and Kept