Education

Tax Deductions for
Teachers

A reference guide to SARS-allowable deductions commonly claimed by teachers, educators, lecturers, and tutors in South Africa, with legislative references and practical guidance.

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Common Tax Deductions for Teachers in South Africa

The following deductions are commonly available to teachers, educators, lecturers, and tutors under the South African Income Tax Act. Eligibility depends on your specific circumstances, employment type, and whether expenses were incurred in the production of income.

SACE registration fees (mandatory for educators)Section 11(a)
Teaching materials and stationery purchased out of pocketSection 11(a)
Further education — courses, diplomas, workshops directly related to teaching roleSection 11(a)
Home office for lesson planning and marking (if required by employer, used exclusively)Section 23(b)
Computer and printing expenses used for school workSection 11(e)
Educational software and online teaching toolsSection 11(a)

Important: This is general guidance based on the Income Tax Act and SARS Interpretation Notes. It is not professional tax advice. Deductibility depends on your individual circumstances. Consult a registered tax practitioner for complex situations. All SARS section references are based on current legislation and may be subject to change.

SARS eFiling Codes for Teachers

When filing your ITR12 on SARS eFiling, you'll need to select an occupation code and your IRP5/IT3(a) will contain source codes for different income types. Here are the codes relevant to teachers, educators, lecturers, and tutors.

OFO Occupation Code (ITR12)

Select one of these when SARS eFiling asks for your occupation:

  • 2341Primary School Teacher
  • 2342Secondary School Teacher
  • 2310University/Higher Education Lecturer

IRP5 / IT3(a) Source Codes

Common income source codes on your tax certificate:

  • 3601Salary / Wages
  • 3606Overtime

OFO codes are from the Organising Framework for Occupations used by SARS on the ITR12 return. IRP5 source codes appear on the tax certificate issued by your employer or contractor. Codes are based on the current SARS eFiling system and may be updated by SARS periodically.

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