South Africa’s exit from the FATF grey list
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today welcomes the decision by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to delist South Africa from its “grey list” of jurisdictions under increased monitoring. This is a significant moment for our country and a testament to the whole of government approach and its institutions to restore the integrity of our financial system.
SARS welcomes judgment on Mr Lucky Montana
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) welcomes the favourable judgment handed down on 17 October 2025 by the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng (case no. 2023-047735). This decision came as a result of an application brought by SARS for the sequestration of Mr Tshepo Lucky Montana.
SARS urges non-provisional taxpayers to file their Income-Tax returns before 20 October deadline
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) reminds non-provisional taxpayers that the deadline to submit annual income-tax returns is 20 October 2025.
SARS: Narcotics bust operation
The SARS Durban Customs office conducted a collaborative intelligence operation led at the Durban Harbour in the early morning of 12 October 2025. The operation resulted in the seizure of 30 bricks of Suspected Narcotics that were in Reefer Refrigeration Unit of the vessel with the estimated street value of R 65 000 000.
SARS’s response to Mr Lucky Montana’s misleading public statements
SARS needs to state upfront that when this matter arose in 2011 Mr Tshepo Lucky Montana was not a political representative, and this matter can therefore never be about his politics or a political witch-hunt.
Public statement: Alleged claims by Mr L Montana MP as reported in Independent Newspapers on 7 October 2025
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted media reports by Independent Newspapers today wherein it is alleged that Mr Lucky Montana MP has “charged” and “laid criminal charges” against SARS for supposedly “fraudulently doctoring a fake court judgment to justify a hefty tax bill”. Mr Montana further allegedly made public claims against SARS of “maladministration, abuse of power and a politically motivated witch hunt”.
Publication of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman Draft Report into alleged eFiling Profile Hijacking for Public Comment
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) notes the publication of the Office of the Tax Ombudsman’s (OTO) draft report, for public comment, on cases of eFiling profile compromise.
SARS Commits to Expedited Tax-Debt Compromise Process
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is always ready to assist taxpayers to fulfil their legal obligations. Taxpayers who owe tax debt may often find it difficult to settle their debt due to financial challenges. SARS has various mechanisms to collect outstanding debt. To explore this matter further, SARS met with the Recognised Controlling Bodies (RCBs) to look at various ways in which taxpayers can be assisted to pay their debts to the fiscus.
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.
