Media Releases

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17 September 2019 - SARS Commissioner determined to act on Nugent report
SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has told Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance (SCOF) that SARS has made substantial progress in implementing the Nugent Commission (Commission) recommendations.
13 September 2019 - SARS response to gender-based violence and violence in general
In responding to the current state of violence in our country, SARS Commissioner Kieswetter sent out this note to staff.
2 September 2019 - SARS to help persons with hearing impairments
To celebrate Deaf Awareness Month (September), SARS will work together with different organisations and municipalities that support persons with hearing impairments in South Africa, to assist them with their tax affairs.
30 August 2019 - Trade Statistics for July 2019
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for July 2019 recording a trade deficit of R2.88 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
27 August 2019 - VAT fraudster sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
A Welkom businessman who defrauded SARS by using trust instruments and other legal entities, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday 23rd August 2019.
26 August 2019 - Joint media statement between SARS & Mr Hlengani Mathebula
Following interactions and information exchange between SARS and Mr. Mathebula, both parties agreed to end the employment relationship.
26 August 2019 - SARS section 69 confidentiality clause
SARS has noted media reports and speculations on the passing on of Bosasa CEO, Gavin Watson.
23 August 2019 - Clarification Note on Donations Tax
The purpose of this clarification note is to briefly set out what would constitute a donation and be taxed, as well as the impact of paying an amount without it being a donation.
21 August 2019 - Further executive placed on precautionary suspension
SARS placed a further executive, Ms. Mmamathe Makheke-Mokhuane on precautionary suspension pending the finalization of a disciplinary process in respect of serious allegations of misconduct.
19 August 2019 - Burst water pipe at SARS Mbombela branch
SARS wishes to announce that its Mbombela branch in Mpumalanga, has a burst water pipe which is adversely affecting branch operations.
31 July 2019 - Key executives on precautionary suspension
SARS has placed key executives on precautionary suspension and extended the suspension of another executive today on 31 July, 2019 pending the finalization of a disciplinary process in respect of serious allegations of misconduct.
31 July 2019 - Trade Statistics for June 2019
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for June 2019 recording a trade surplus of R4.42 billion.
30 July 2019 - Update on Filing Season 2019
To date, the response from South Africa has been great, with over 6 million logins, almost 1.3 million returns requested, and over 1 million returns submitted, of which 900 000 are for the 2019 tax year.
22 July 2019 - R3.5 billion in refunds already paid; taxpayers urged to beat queues and submit online
R3.5 billion in refunds already paid; taxpayers urged to beat queues and submit online
13 July 2019 - SARS eFiling grows in first two weeks of Tax Season
SARS is pleased to announce that there has been an increase of five percent in the uptake of eFiling in the first two weeks of Tax Season 2019.
12 July 2019 - Cape Town Customs officers pounce on suspected drug smuggler
SARS Customs officers based at the Cape Town International Airport have confiscated heroin valued at approximately R1 million after receiving a tip-off.
8 July 2019 - SARS has noted media report
SARS has noted the Sunday Times article about the SARS Commissioner, Mr. Edward Kieswetter in his role as Chair of the Technology Innovation Agency.
3 July 2019 - SARS is working on a fix to a specific eFiling issue
SARS is aware of a problem that some taxpayers are experiencing.
1 July 2019 - Tax Season opens for eFilers and users of SARS MobiApp
Deputy Finance Minister, Dr David Masondo, and SARS Commissioner, Mr Edward Kieswetter, have launched Tax Season 2019 for taxpayers who use the updated digital channels, eFiling and the SARS MobiApp.
28 June 2019 - Trade Statistics for May 2019
Pretoria, 28 June 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for May 2019 recording a trade surplus of R1.74 billion.
25 June 2019 - Tax Season opens 1 July for eFilers
SARS is encouraging taxpayers who are required to file income tax returns to use SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to file their returns from 1 July 2019.
14 June 2019 - Customs officials intercept drugs worth R12 million at ORTIA
Customs officials this week intercepted drugs with a combined value of approximately R12 million in three separate incidents at the Oliver Tambo International Airport (ORTIA).
11 June 2019 - SARS welcome Mark Lifman court ruling
SARS welcomes the judgement handed down against Mr. Mark Roy Lifman and 35 applicants in the Western Cape High Court.
8 June 2019 - SARS Customs intercepts drugs from a wheelchair bound 74 year old female traveller
SARS Customs officers intercepted a 74 year old wheelchair bound female traveller with almost R500 000 worth of heroin.
6 June 2019 - Clarification – Filing threshold and dates
SARS has noted that the criteria for taxpayers who may not be required to file an income tax return has been wrongly interpreted.
4 June 2019 - Tax season 2019
SARS has improved online filing and filing at a SARS branch with several exciting innovations for Tax Season 2019
31 May 2019 - Trade Statistics for April 2019
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2019 recording a trade deficit of R3.43 billion.
27 May 2019 - SARS closes Alberton branch due to fire
The South African Revenue Service has closed the Alberton branch following a fire breakout that damaged the 1st floor today, Monday 27 May 2019.
24 May 2019 - End-May deadline for employer declarations fast approaching
Employers are reminded that all Employer Annual Declarations for the period 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019 must be submitted to SARS by 31 May 2019.
24 May 2019 - SARS extends Track and Trace tender timelines
SARS wishes to announce the extension of a tender for the provision of a Production Management and a Track and Trace solution for cigarettes
24 May 2019 - SARS has noted Public Protectors Report
Pretoria, Friday 24 May 2019 – The South African Revenue Service has noted the Public Protector’s Report published on 24 May 2019.
14 May 2019 - Former Customs Auditors Jailed for Corruption
Two former SARS Customs auditors were sentenced to three years direct imprisonment for corruption in Durban last week, 9 May 2019.
13 May 2019 - SARS Beitbridge 198.49 Kg Crystal Meth Bust Estimated at R 2-Million
SARS Customs officers intercepted a female traveller attempting to smuggle 198.49 kg of crystal meth, estimated at R2-million, into South Africa at the Beitbridge port of entry.
1 May 2019 - SARS welcomes new commissioner, Edward Kieswetter
1 May 2019 - Today Edward Kieswetter starts his role as Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
30 April 2019 - Trade Statistics for March 2019
SARS today releases trade statistics for March 2019 recording a trade surplus of R5.00 billion.
30 April 2019 - SARS seeks technology to curb revenue leakages in illicit tobacco industry
Pretoria, Tuesday, 30 April 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has embarked on a number of strategic initiatives to curb revenue leakages emanating from illegal and unethical practices in the illicit economy.
26 April 2019 - SARS & Office of the Tax Ombud sign historic agreement
SARS and OTO signed a historic agreement to forge an effective working relationship that will deliver excellent service to the taxpayer.
18 April 2019 - Customs continues to increase the number of busts year on year: Goods valued at R3.7 billion bust by Customs in the past financial year
SARS has released its latest consolidated Customs busts statistics from 01 April 2018 to 31 March 2019. The total value of all goods confiscated amounted to R3 694 742 928.
8 April 2019 - Relocation of electronic services platform for SARS
SARS will be migrating to a new hosting platform for its electronic services in April 2019. This new and reliable platform features the latest technology on the market, and includes a refresh of SARS’ hardware and software.
2 April 2019 - SARS confirms conclusion of a 3-year wage agreement with NEHAWU and PSA
SARS, NEHAWU and PSA have agreed on a 3-year multi-term agreement with an 8% increase on the Guaranteed Total Packages of employees in the Bargaining Unit for this year, effective 1 April 2019.
1 April 2019 - SARS announces the preliminary Revenue outcome for 2018-19
For the financial year ending 31 March 2019, SARS collected an amount of R1 287.6 billion, against the 2019 Budget estimate of R1 302.2 billion resulting in a deficit of R14.6 billion (-1.1%).
29 March 2019 - Trade Statistics for February 2019
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for February 2019 recording a trade surplus of R3.99 billion.
29 March 2019 - SARS continues to operate
SARS Customs operations at ports of entry, especially borders, have been without major interruptions.
28 March 2019 - Treasury announces new SARS Commissioner
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mr Edward Kieswetter as the Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service with effect from 1 May 2019.
27 March 2019 - Wage negotiations dispute still unresolved
Over the past weekend, SARS had confirmed that it had reached a deadlock in negotiations with the recognised trade unions, PSA and NEHAWU, over salary increases and improvements in conditions of service and benefits for bargaining unit employees.
23 March 2019 - SARS in wage dispute with organised labour
NEHAWU and PSA have served SARS with a 7 day notice to go on strike from 28 March 2019.
12 March 2019 - KZN VAT vendor imprisoned for seven years for VAT fraud
KwaZulu-Natal woman who defrauded SARS of approximately R 4 million, was handed down an effective seven-year jail sentence in the Durban Regional Court last Thursday.
7 March 2019 - Pay outstanding debt by 29 March to avoid penalties and interest
Taxpayers have just over 22 days left to pay outstanding debt by Friday 29 March to avoid paying penalties and interest. Outstanding returns need to be submitted immediately.
5 March 2019 - SARS invites public comment on excise rewrite document
SARS invites public comment on excise rewrite document
28 February 2019 - Trade Statistics for January 2019
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2019 recording a trade deficit of R13.08 billion.
27 February 2019 - SARS intercepts suspected currency smuggler found with R13.7 million
SARS Customs officers intercepted a suspected currency smuggler in possession of 997 750 US dollars which equates to R13 798 882.00 at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday, 25 February.
22 February 2019 - SARS Customs intercepts luggage containing cocaine worth over R3 million
Following months of intense surveillance and observing various flights, yesterday the SARS Customs officers at ORTIA, successfully profiled a suspected drug smuggler.
31 January 2019 - Trade Statistics for December 2018
SARS today releases trade statistics for December 2018 recording a trade surplus of R17.17 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
25 January 2019 - International customs day celebrations
SARS celebrated the International Customs Day (ICD) a day earlier today to honour the men and women who protect the country’s borders and help facilitate trade.
24 January 2019 - SARS concerned about tax evasion allegations at commissions of inquiry
SARS has noted media reports on allegations of tax evasion at the various commissions of inquiries that are underway.
11 January 2019 - OECD, SARS and National Treasury continue partnership to strengthen tax co-operation
Today, the OECD, SARS and National Treasury of South Africa signed a Memorandum of Co-operation (MoC), agreeing to continue to work together in the area of taxation.
10 January 2019 - SARS customs intercepts rhino horn worth over R23 million
Customs officials of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) intercepted a consignment of rhino horns worth over R23 million at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) yesterday.


Last Updated: 31/05/2019 9:51 AM