Now that SARS can start penalising taxpayers who only have one outstanding tax return, tax season has become far more stressful than it was before. For this reason, it’s important to have all your supporting documents available when you’re filing a return. One of those documents is an IT3B certificate. Not every taxpayer needs this document. But if you have savings or investments, not having this document will delay filing your return and result in penalties. Since SARS adds penalties monthly, even having a minor delay like not attaching an IT3B certificate can be costly. So, if you’re asking, “where do I get my IT3B tax certificate from?” like many South Africans, you can find those details below.

What is Your IT3B Certificate?

An IT3B certificate is a certificate you receive from a financial service provider that summarises the interest and dividends you’ve generated from investments. You need to include this when filing your tax return because SARS views this interest as part of your income. As a taxpayer, you may have several IT3B certificates from various institutions depending on how much money you’ve invested or saved and so on. However, before you go on the hunt to attain your IT3B certificates, you should understand the different types of income you should be declaring as part of the IT3B.

Local Dividends: This is the amount you have received from the last tax year from dividends paid by JSE listed companies or funds that invest in JSE listed companies.

International Dividends: This is the sum of all the interest and dividends you’ve received from offshore investments.

Interest from Savings: You should also declare the interest you’ve earned from savings. However, you don’t need to pay taxes on this interest unless it exceeds the amount applicable for your age bracket.

Taxable Dividends: If you have invested in a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), you will also need to include the distribution generated from these funds.

Royalties: You should include an IT3B certificate if you have received an income from the use of copyrighted material and assets.

How and Where to Download Your IT3B Certificate

Before you download your IT3B certificate, you should be aware of how many certificates you’d need. If you have several investments with different banks and funds, you’ll need to approach each to get the IT3B. Furthermore, you should also ensure that any interest or dividends reflect on your tax return and that you’ve paid tax on this income. Many funds will pay tax on your behalf, but confirm that is the case before assuming.

To make it easier for you to find and download your certificates, you can also log in to your SARS efiling profile and navigate to your latest – or outstanding – ITR12 return. Click on your certificates and see correspondence SARS has sent requesting IT3B certificates. Using this information, you can then download the relevant certificates SARS needs.

Some companies may send you your IT3B certificate when tax season begins. You can upload these documents as supporting documents on your efiling or take them along if you are filing within a branch. However, if you haven’t received your IT3B certificate, you can follow the steps below.

Downloading Your IT3B Certificate From Your Bank

Since many South Africans have some savings or investments with their bank, you can begin by getting the IT3B certificate for each investment product from your bank.

FNB:

Login to Your Account: To get your IT3B Certificate from FNB, you first need to log in to your online banking profile.

Navigate to My Bank Accounts: Click on “My Bank Accounts” on the top navigation menu. Then, once you’ve been redirected, select the account you need to access for an IT3B.

Click on Menu: After being redirected to the account, you want to access, click on “Menu” on the left side of the screen.

Select Tax Certificates: On the menu screen, click on the IT3B certificate you need.

Enter Your Email Address: Once you have selected the certificates, enter your email address and click submit.

Nedbank

Login to Your Banking Profile: To start the process, log in to your online banking profile.

Select the Required Account: You will need to navigate to the account that has the relevant IT3B certificate. Then, under features, choose your delivery statement.

Choose the Required Year: Click the year you need the statement for and then download the certificate to your device.

ABSA

To get your IT3B certificate from ABSA, you’ll need to log in to your banking profile and navigate to certificates. Once you’ve accessed these certificates, you can download them from your banking profile.

Standard Bank

Some Standard Bank customers have had difficulty finding a way to download the IT3B certificate. However, you can easily get the certificate by logging into your online

banking profile, navigating to “Statements” in the navigation menu. You will then click on IT3B and retrieve.

Capitec Bank

To get your IT3B certificates from Capitec, use the bank’s mobile app and follow the prompts under “Certificates of Interest” you should then either be able to download the certificate or have the certificate emailed to you.

On your online banking profile, go to “My Banking” and select the fourth option, “I want to view my Certificate of Interest,” from there, you should be able to choose the year you need, followed by the prompt to download the certificate.

Downloading Your Tax IT3B Certificate From Your Fund Managers

Most funds will send you an IT3B statement either at the beginning of the tax season or during the tax season.

However, if you haven’t received this statement, you can follow the steps below to retrieve them.

Old Mutual

If you have an Old Mutual Secure account, log in and navigate to certificates. If you do not have an account, create one and follow the prompts. Once you’re on your user dashboard, find certificates and select the type of certificate you need.

Momentum

If you have any investments with Momentum, they make it simple for you to get your IT3B. Click on this link – which will take you to the “Request for Tax Certificate” page – enter your ID number and the year you require an IT3B certificate for and click submit.

Allan Gray

To initiate the process, log in to your Allan Gray online profile. Once on your profile, click on the Investment Report Button. The option to get a detailed transaction history or statement summary should appear. Select the one you need. Then, select the year and the account you need to access, followed by “Go.” Then click download.

Also Road: How to Claim From the Road Accident Fund in South Africa

Liberty

Getting your IT3B from Liberty is simple. Visit Liberty’s website and log in to your account. Once on your user dashboard, select “Liberty Policy Servicing,” reenter your username and password, and then choose the fund you need an IT3B for.

If your fund is not on this list, this doesn’t mean you won’t receive IT3B certificates from them. By law, all financial service providers should give you access to this information. Instead, if your fund isn’t on this list, be sure your details are up-to-date. This includes your email and postal address. Most funds will send you an IT3B once a year, and if they don’t have the correct email address on file, you won’t receive the certificate.

To ensure you aren’t caught off-guard this tax season, try to get your IT3B certificates at the beginning of the season.

If you’re unsure if you’ve received any IT3B certificates via email, you can also login to your email provider and, using the search function, enter “IT3B.” A list of emails that contain IT3B should pop up. You can then download these certificates and upload them to the SARS efiling system.

Many South Africans plan to emigrate or find jobs overseas. If that’s the case, you may need a Visa or have to complete emigration paperwork. As part of your paperwork, you will need to provide a police clearance certificate. Even if you don’t plan to work or settle abroad, many employers also require police clearance certificates to be provided as part of the job application. Therefore, if you find yourself in this predicament, following this easy guide on how to get a police clearance certificate in South Africa is your best bet.

What is a Police Clearance Certificate?

The purpose of a police clearance certificate is to show that you don’t have any record of criminal convictions. The document verifies your criminal status – or lack thereof – and proves that you are a sound character. Furthermore, this certificate can also be referred to as a Certificate of Good Conduct, depending on the country you’re emigrating to or the job you’re seeking.

There isn’t any good substitute for a police clearance certificate, so if you need to provide one for a job offer or travel abroad, it’s better to apply for one ASAP to avoid any delays in the process.

How To Get a Police Clearance Certificate at a Police Station

The most commonly used method to get your police clearance certificate is to go to your nearest police station and initiate the process. Both the in-person method and the online method have the same processing time, so you should use the method that best suits your circumstances.

Visit Your Local Police Station

Visit a police station in your vicinity. Not only will this police station send your application for your PCC to the relevant department, but you will also pick up your PCC from this police station. Before you visit the police station, you should consider downloading the PCC application form; that way, you won’t delay the process if the station doesn’t have any.

Ask For The 91A Form.

When you’re at the police station, request a 91A form and have your fingerprints taken on the form after filling in your details.

Pay The Application Fee

You will also be required to pay a non-refundable R150 fee. Be sure you receive proof of payment, as this will need to be attached to the application form.

You may also need to pay additional fees for postage. These fees will also not be refunded.

How To Apply For a Police Clearance Certificate Online

There isn’t exactly an easy way to apply for a PCC online. Instead, it’s a mix of visiting your local police station and mailing a letter to the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management. Nevertheless, it gives you greater control of the process and ensures your documentation reaches its destination. So, depending on how reliable your local police station is, you may want to consider this route.

Complete an Application Form

Before visiting your local police station, you can print the Police Clearance Certificate application form. This form will require you to fill in some of your details, including your ID number, name and surname and other particulars.

The second half of the application form is to be filled in by the station commander or an officer at the police station.

Pay The Fee

Using this DIY method, you can pay the non-refundable R150 fee for a police clearance certificate directly to SAPS via EFT. Use the payment details below when making payment:

Bank: ABSA

Account Type: Cheque

Account Number: 4054522787

Branch Code: 632005

Swift Code: ABSAZAJJXXX.

Reference Number: The letters “PCC” followed by your first name and middle name initials and surname.

You can then attach your proof of payment to the application form.

Get a 91A Form

Once you are in possession of your completed application form, visit a police station to pick up a 91A form and have your fingerprints taken. During this time, you can also ask that the commander of the police station fill in their particulars in the spaces as required.

Send Your Documentation To The PCC Postal Address

After completing the aforementioned process, you will be required to post your documentation to the following address:

The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (For attention: Police Clearance Certificates)

South African Police Service

Private Bag X308

PRETORIA

South Africa

0001

Once your application is received, you will get an SMS confirming receipt in addition to a reference number, which you can use to query the status of your police clearance certificate.

How To Check The Status of Your Police Clearance Certificate

Once you’ve submitted all your documentation, you can check the status of your certificate online. To do that, follow the 2-step process below:

Step 1: Visit The SAPS Portal

You’ll need to visit the PCC Portal, which you can do by clicking here. Currently, they are experiencing a backlog with the processing of clearance certificates, so the status of the certificate may not be as far along as initially forecasted.

Step 2: Insert Your Reference Number or Details

When you’re on the portal, you’ll need to insert either a reference number, also known as an enquiry number. When you’re inserting the number, do not enter the slashes.

Afterwards, you’ll need to enter your South African ID number. If you are not a South African citizen, you can also enter your DOB along with your surname.

Once you’ve inserted your reference number and details, click submit at the bottom of the screen. You should be redirected to a page that will reveal the most recent details regarding the status of your PCC.

Also Read: How to Check Criminal Record Online in South Africa

Should You Use a Third-Party To Get a Police Clearance Certificate?

Several private companies will help you get your police clearance certificate. However, these are more for convenience, so you don’t have to spend as much time following up. With most of these companies, you will still need to visit a police station to get your fingerprints taken, and these third parties can’t guarantee that your certificate application is processed faster.

Nevertheless, if you’re using a company for other emigration services, they may offer police clearance certificates as part of the package. In that case, you can use those services instead of doing them yourself.

If you have any further questions regarding how to get a police clearance certificate, you can also contact Police Clearance Certificate Offices on 012 393 3928 or email crc-nameclear@saps.gov.za.

Socioeconomic conditions, bad timing, even participating in a march can leave you with a criminal record. However, while the decision to commit a crime may be temporary, the consequences are lasting. To get a job, travel for a job, or apply for a visa, you need to have a clear criminal record. For that reason, you should be looking into clearing your criminal record.

Everything You Need to Know About Clearing Your Criminal Record

Clearing a criminal record is a lengthy process. Just because you have the desire to have it expunged doesn’t mean you can accomplish it. So, before you dive into the process, this is everything you need to know about a criminal record.

What is Considered a Criminal Record in South Africa?

It’s important to note that you don’t need to go to court to end up with a criminal record. You may be arrested on a minor charge and sign an admission of guilt.

Something many South Africans are unaware of is that by signing an admission of guilt – which is usually accompanied by paying a fine at a police station – you receive a criminal record. Therefore, it’s important to distinguish between bail and an admission of guilt. In many cases, police officers will suggest you sign an admission of guilt to avoid having to spend time in jail or a holding cell. However, before you sign this type of document, consider speaking with a lawyer. Because once you sign that admission of guilt – unless you’re being prosecuted under AARTO – you will end up with a criminal record.

Can I Find A Job With a Criminal Record?

Many companies and employment agencies do rigorous checks during the recruitment process. As a result, most jobs require you to have a clear criminal record. However, if the infringement is minor and not related to the job you’re applying for, you could have a discrimination case. According to the Employment Equity Act, if you haven’t lied or withheld information about your criminal past and you meet the criteria for the job, if an employer chooses not to hire you, that’s possibly discrimination.

Can I Travel with a Criminal Record?

Each country has unique entry requirements, which means you will have to verify if your criminal record will be checked before you make any plans when travelling abroad. In some instances, you will need to provide this type of information on a voluntary disclosure form.

However, if you need a Visa to travel or want to emigrate, as part of your application, you will be required to attach a police clearance certificate (PCC). You may not be able to get this certificate if you have a criminal record.

Does a Criminal Record Expire in South Africa?

In South Africa, minor convictions can be removed from your criminal record after 10 years.

How Do I Remove or Clear my Criminal Record?

If it has been ten years since a conviction, or you realise your criminal record prevents you from accessing opportunities, follow the steps below to have your criminal record cleared.

Step 1: Determine if You’re Eligible to Have Your Criminal Record Cleared

Before you can go about requesting that your criminal record be cleared, you should ensure you meet the eligibility conditions. The conditions include:

• Ten years have elapsed since you were convicted for the offence.
• You have not been sentenced or convicted without the option of a fine in the ten years since your last conviction.
• Your sentence was corporal punishment.
• Your sentencing was postponed, or you were cautioned and discharged.
• Your imprisonment was wholly suspended.
• Your sentence was a fine that does not exceed R20,000.
• You can provide proof that you have been removed from the National Register of Sex Offenders or the National Child Protection Register (if relevant)

Step 2: Complete Form J744

If you meet the above preconditions, you can visit the Department of Justice’s website and complete the J744 form. When completing this form, you will need to fill in personal information like your ID number, name, surname, and contact details in addition to details relating to your convictions, including the types of convictions you’ve received and the dates when these convictions took place.

You can download the English version of the J744 form here.

Step 3: Attach Relevant Supporting Documentation

Before you submit your J744 form, you will need to attach a police clearance certificate. To get a police clearance certificate, you will need to pay a R150 fee, visit your nearest police station to have your fingerprints taken and complete the Police Clearance Certificate Application form. You will also need to provide a certified copy of your ID, and proof of payment if you’ve completed an EFT.

You can take these documents to SAPS, and they can post the application form, along with your fingerprints, to the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management, or you can post it yourself using the details below.

The Head: Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (For attention: Police Clearance Certificates)

South African Police Service

Private Bag X308

PRETORIA

South Africa

0001

It should take 15 days to receive your Police Clearance Certificate.

Step 4: Mail The Information

After you have received your PCC, you will either need to hand-deliver your documents or mail your documents to the Director-General for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

If you decide to mail it, you can send it to:

Director-General: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Private Bag X81,

Pretoria,

0001

Also Read: How to Check Criminal Record Online in South Africa

The process takes three months but may take longer if you have any queries that could delay the process. Additionally, the decision to have the convictions expunged are at the discretion of the DG for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. If the outcome is favourable, the DG will send your certificate of Expungement to the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service. After which, you should allow another 21 days before you receive confirmation of the convictions expunged.

But if it is declined, you will receive a confirmation letter detailing why it was denied.

If you have any additional queries regarding having your criminal record expunged, you can email the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development at expungements@justice.gov.za.