Tax Clinic roadshow simplifies compliance while building student expertise

Bringing tax services directly to campus while giving students valuable workplace experience, the Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Accounting Tax Clinic joined forces with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for its annual Tax Clinic Roadshow. The initiative helps staff and students better understand and manage their tax obligations while providing aspiring tax professionals with practical exposure to real-life tax matters.

The TUT tax clinic consultants together with the SARS consultants at the tax clinic roadshow. The Tax Clinic is a community engagement initiative that promotes tax education and awareness. Lecturers from the Department of Accounting, who are also registered tax practitioners, share their expertise with the community and assist taxpayers with a range of tax-related matters. As part of its tax awareness efforts during tax season, the department also recently hosted a webinar highlighting the importance of understanding tax obligations.

Fezile Ncongwane, Head of the Department of Accounting, said the roadshow aims to provide practical tax assistance to the university community.

“The roadshow is designed to make tax services more accessible by providing individuals with direct support to better understand and manage their tax affairs and remain compliant with their tax obligations,” she said.

The Tax Clinic offers services such as submitting tax returns, reviewing SARS auto-assessments, arranging payments for outstanding tax debt, registering for eFiling and recovering login details for existing taxpayers.

SARS consultants assisting TUT stuff members with tax related matters. Beyond supporting taxpayers, the initiative creates valuable learning opportunities for students. The Tax Clinic appointed three student tax consultants who assist community members daily while gaining practical experience.

Ncongwane said the initiative helps bridge the gap between theory and practice while preparing future-ready graduates.

“Through the Tax Clinic, students have an opportunity to develop practical skills such as client engagement, problem-solving and professional communication,” she said.

Fannie Rakosa, a South African Revenue Service representative, highlighted some of the common tax challenges identified during the roadshow, including late tax return submissions.

“What we have identified during the intervention is that a number of employees we assisted had incurred administrative penalties. We have managed to assist them, as well as those who own businesses,” he said.

Rakosa encouraged taxpayers to use SARS digital platforms and WhatsApp services for tax-related assistance and reminded taxpayers to submit their returns before 21 October 2026.

Rotondwa Ratshilindela, Accounting postgraduate student and Tax Consultant, said the experience helped her appreciate the value of applying classroom knowledge in practice.

TUT tax clinic consultants assisting TUT stuff members with tax related matters. “This is my first time being part of the Tax Clinic, and during the roadshow, I have been able to interact with employees and assist them with their tax matters. It has made me realise that what we learn in class can differ when applied in real-life situations,” she said.

Ratshilindela added that the opportunity has strengthened her confidence and interpersonal skills and inspired her to deepen her knowledge of tax.

The roadshow has visited the Soshanguve South, Soshanguve North and Pretoria campuses and will conclude at the Ga-Rankuwa Campus, continuing its mission to improve tax awareness, support compliance and develop skilled future tax professionals.