Trade statistics for April 2023
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R3.5 billion attributable to exports of R163.8 billion and imports of R160.3 billion, in April 2023.
SARS media statement on the Constitutional Court ruling
Constitutional Court has handed down judgment in the matter involving a request to access certain tax records of the former President of the Republic of South Africa. This request was made in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and was declined by SARS on the basis that legislation prohibited SARS from acting in any other way.
Employers must adhere to the deadline of 31 May 2023
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) urges all employers to comply with their legal obligations regarding the annual Employers Filing Season by the deadline of 31 May to avoid penalties, interest and / or criminal charges.
Media statement: Smuggling of cigarettes – Beitbridge Border post
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division intercepted on Saturday 20 May 2023 a truck carrying 440 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, with estimated total value of R9 million, which were falsely declared as Cotton Oil Cake.
Media statement on the African Global Holding
The Commissioner of South African Revenue Service (SARS) Mr Edward Kieswetter welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court of 17 May 2023 to dismiss the application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal verdict by the African Global Holding (Pty) Ltd (AGH).
Media statement on the judgment in the Regiments Capital matter
he Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr Edward Kieswetter, said he was pleased to note the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal on 18 May 2023 in the matter of Commissioner for SARS v Regiments Regiments Capital (Pty) Ltd and Others.
SARS detects unusually high number of suspicious VAT registrations
SARS is committed to paying legitimate refunds to qualifying taxpayers as and when they become due. In line with this commitment in the 2022/23 financial year a record R381bn in refunds were paid of which R319bn were VAT refunds.
SARS conducts raid at an unregistered warehouse
Members of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted a raid on an unauthorised warehouse in Vryburg, North-West yesterday, 4 May 2023, confiscating millions of rands worth of illegally manufactured alcohol and bitcoin mining equipment.
SARS media statement – How SARS has changed tax compliance status reporting for transferring funds abroad
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wishes to provide an update with respect to the matter of Tax Compliance Status. As the previous Tax Compliance Status (TCS) solution had been operational since April 2016 and processed substantial and growing volumes of taxpayers requesting 3rd party verification requests, including Foreign Investment Allowance and Emigration, there was need for an enhancement to the system to rationalise and speed it up.
Media statement on the impounded truck with illicit cigarettes
The law enforcement team comprising of South African Revenue Service, South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police acting on a tip-off intercepted a truck carrying illicit cigarettes at Bronkhorstspruit on the early hours of Monday, 1 May 2023.
