Trade Statistics for August 2025
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R4.0 billion in August 2025. This surplus was attributable to exports of R171.3 billion and imports of R167.4 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
Joint Statement by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO)
SARS and the OTO note with concern the recent article published by Sowetan regarding the rising number of SARS eFiling profiles reportedly hijacked by cyber-fraud criminals, resulting in significant financial losses for taxpayers. At the time of the article’s publication, the OTO had not yet released the draft report for public comment, and the article contained a number of factual inaccuracies.
The two organisations are established in law to fulfil distinct yet mutually reinforcing roles for the sole benefit of taxpayers and the tax finance system for the country.
Half Year Revenue Payment
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) encourages all taxpayers who are due to make payments to do so by the earliest available date to avoid unnecessary delays, penalties and interests for late payment.
Trusts Filing 2025/2026
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) reminds trustees and the public of the official filing season for trusts that runs from 20 September 2025 to 19 January 2026.
SARS clarifies issues around social influencers
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted information circulating in public regarding taxation of social influencers. SARS wishes to clarify its position with respect to this category. SARS’s legal mandate is to collect all revenue that is due to the state, improve tax compliance, and facilitate legitimate trade.
SARS Narcotics Bust Report – Operation ‘Irene’
On 3 September 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) led a collaborative intelligence-driven operation that resulted in the detention and seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value of R56 million.
Trade Statistics for July 2025
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R20.3 billion in July 2025. This surplus was attributable to exports of R184.3 billion and imports of R164.0 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
SARS works with the Tax Practitioners segment to strengthen voluntary compliance
In pursuing SARS’s strategic objective to work with and through stakeholders to improve tax ecosystem, Commissioner Kieswetter and his team held a consultative meeting with the Recognised Controlling Body Forum. This is a platform for strategic engagement between SARS and Recognised Controlling Bodies (RCBs). SARS sees this engagement crucial to its Higher Purpose: to help build a capable state and uplift South Africans.
SARS releases the preliminary trade statistics for June 2025
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R22.0 billion in June 2025. This surplus was attributable to exports of R170.7 billion and imports of R148.6 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
Filing Season 2025 gets under way from 21 July to 20 October
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is excited to announce that 5.8 million taxpayers received Auto Assessments this year, which is up from 5 million in 2024. Importantly, 99.6% of Auto Assessments issued to date have remained unchanged by taxpayers. Equally impressive is that R10.6 billion in refunds due to taxpayers have already been paid within 72 hours.
