Don’t Let Tax Season Catch Your PBO Unprepared
Are you confident your Section 18A certificates meet SARS requirements?
Do you know what changes on 1 March 2026?
Download our comprehensive year-end checklist to ensure compliance and protect your donors’ tax deductions.
What’s Inside This Free Resource
Our Section 18A Year-End Checklist covers everything your PBO needs before the critical February and May deadlines:
Certificate Readiness
- Required organisation and donor details
- Complete donation record requirements
- Mandatory donor information fields
- Certificate issuance best practices
- Mandatory legal statements
- Common compliance mistakes to avoid
IT3(d) Submission Preparation (Due 31 May)
- Required fields for each certificate
- Data quality checks
- Technical preparation steps
New 2026 Requirements
- Income tax reference number mandate (from 1 March 2026)
- Updated in-kind donation rules
- System and process adjustments
Why This Checklist Matters
SARS has tightened Section 18A compliance requirements. Invalid certificates mean your donors lose tax deductions and your nonprofit risks its 18A approval. This checklist ensures you’re prepared for both current requirements and upcoming changes.
Perfect For
- NPO financial managers
- PBO compliance officers
- Nonprofit administrators
- PBO trustees and directors
Complete the form below to receive your Section 18A Year-End Checklist.
Stop Spreadsheet Chaos. Automate Section 18A Compliance.
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✓ Auto-generate compliant certificates instantly
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✓ Improve transparency and reduce admin burden for your NPO
✓ Maintain accurate, POPIA-compliant donor records year-round
Trusted By South African Fundraising Professionals since 2017
Book a free demo today!Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Section 18A certificate deadline?
Certificates should be issued as soon as donations are received. For donations made before 28 February 2026, issue certificates before that date so donors can claim deductions in their tax returns.
What changes on 1 March 2026?
From 1 March 2026, all Section 18A certificates must include the donor’s income tax reference number. In-kind donations require more detailed descriptions and valuations.
When is IT3(d) submission due?
All Section 18A-approved PBOs must submit IT3(d) returns to SARS by 31 May annually, covering all certificates issued in the previous tax year.
What happens if certificates don’t comply?
Non-compliant certificates are invalid for tax purposes. Donors cannot claim deductions, and your organisation risks losing its Section 18A approval status.
How long must we keep Section 18A records?
SARS requires PBOs to retain all Section 18A certificates and supporting documentation for a minimum of 5 years.
About ActiveDonor
ActiveDonor is South Africa’s leading donor management platform built specifically for nonprofit compliance. We help 300+ organisations automate Section 18A certificates, manage donor relationships, and submit IT3(d) returns with confidence.
