When Konsise built its ITR14 submission offering, it had two choices:
- Make up its own ITR14 structure; or
- Follow the SARS instructions for the ITR14 structure
The choice was obvious to us . . . so why wasn’t it obvious to the other software companies?
SARS’ Clarity & Direction
SARS eFiling is the digital backbone of South Africa’s tax system. This online platform is now the default way for taxpayers, including companies, to file all tax returns, submit supporting documents, and even make corrections. It was designed to reduce paper submissions, boost efficiency, and help SARS match returns with risk profiles or supporting documentation in real time.
SARS’ ITR14 form is very specific, and SARS is very helpful to the software companies responsible for large volumes of submission values to SARS.
Forearmed with the knowledge of SARS’s specificity, it seems obvious to us that parity with eFiling is beneficial for the user who is used to interacting with the current (and future) eFiling configurations… but our competitors chose otherwise!
Of course, it is much easier to build the ITR14 your own way, like other software companies have done, and easier means cheaper in the software development world . . . but easier is usually a shortcut.
Why We Built the ITR14 the Same as SARS eFiling
For Konsise, the pursuit of “Right” triumphs over “Done” every time, embodying the company’s unwavering commitment to PRECISION.
We developed our ITR14 offering to match the SARS eFiling experience… exactly. This wasn’t just about ticking boxes but about making life easier for every company tackling corporate tax compliance.
It makes sense to follow a template that works. When rules, systems, and submission standards keep changing, familiar territory is not only comfortable but can also help avoid costly mistakes.
ITR14 submission is Phase 1 of a 3-Phase Rollout
The ITR14 submission form is the “last mile” in the corporate income tax process, in tandem with submitting support documents. The 3-Phase Rollout is:
- Phase 1 – The ITR14 Form is all about building a parity with eFiling for the submission of the ITR14.
- Phase 2 – importing the trial balances from multiple data sources, including DraftWorx and CaseWare;
- Phase 3 – implementing all the supporting schedules which will form the TackPack. This is an increasing necessity to defend ITR14 submissions from SARS scrutiny.
Because the Konsise ITR14 Form is phase 1, it means that those companies that fictionalised the format of their ITR14 forms, both the import and the schedules, become complex to place and allocate correctly. The secret to a good import and calculation engine is a great foundation, so Konsise founded its ITR14 on the exact eFiling structure.
The Evolution of the ITR14 and Keeping Up with SARS
Having our ITR14 structure match SARS is not just a snapshot; it’s a moving picture. Every year, SARS and global tax standards add new expectations. Recent reforms have increased focus on beneficial ownership, foreign company schedules, and accurate sector classification. These changes are not arbitrary; they reflect growing demands for transparency and better risk management.
We monitor these trends by reviewing the evolution of the ITR14 Form, highlighting how tax authorities have modernised their processes and requirements for South African companies.
The SARS eFiling system is the reference point for these updates. When it incorporates new technical checks or supports digital document uploads for mining schedules or foreign operations, our users immediately see the same capabilities.
Conclusion
Choosing to build our ITR14 system to echo SARS eFiling wasn’t just a design decision—it solved real needs. We help reduce errors, speed up learning, guard sensitive business data, and prepare our clients for regulatory changes before they hit. Every year, the rules get more complex, but the submission process doesn’t have to.
If you want to understand more about the history of ITR14 form changes or to stay current on all the latest updates for ITR14 returns, we’ve got resources ready for you. Compliance with SARS is not optional, but it doesn’t have to be stressful when the tools fit the task
