14 November 2013 – Inclusion of new data in SA Trade Stats
The Minister of Finance has approved that South Africa’s trade statistics will in future include data in respect of trade with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS countries).
7 November 2013 – Law enforcement officials arrested
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) can confirm the arrest today of seven Customs officials on suspicion of involvement in incidents of robbery and extortion against businesses owned by foreign nationals in Johannesburg. Two members of the SAPS were also arrested today in relation to the same investigation.
5 November 2013 – The Davis Tax Committee Calls For Contribution
Following his 2013 Budget announcement, the Minister of Finance publicised the members of a tax review committee on 17 July 2013. The committee, now known as the Davis Tax Committee (DTC), will examine the role of South Africa’s tax system to promote growth, job creation, sustainable development and fiscal self-reliance. It will take the long term objectives of the National Development Plan into account in its work.
15 October 2013 – SARS Warning to taxpayers on fraudulent tax returns
SARS wants to appeal to all taxpayers to exercise caution if they are approached by “tax advisors” who guarantee them a tax refund on submission of their income tax returns. Anyone who guarantees a taxpayer a tax refund may be misleading them and should be avoided.
01 October 2013 – Minister’s Statement on Tax Ombud
The Minister of Finance has appointed retired Gauteng Judge President Bernard Ngoepe as the Tax Ombud. The appointment is in terms of the Tax Administration Act of 2011. The office is intended to provide taxpayers with a low-cost mechanism to address administrative difficulties that cannot be resolved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
10 September 2013 – SARS Enforcement and Customs Operations for August 2013
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is providing an update to the media and the public on its operations to combat crimes such as smuggling, fraud and abuse of the tax system for the month of August 2013.
29 August 2013 – Joint Media Statement – Settlement between the State and Mr DC King
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) confirms that a settlement agreement was reached between Mr Dave King and the State.
23 August 2013 – Combating Illicit Trade in Clothing and Textiles
SARS considers these as strategic economic sectors that require significant attention given its potential to create jobs and grow the domestic economy. Government has introduced incentive schemes (production incentives will be increasingly grant-based, thus reducing reliance on tax incentives) to boost manufacturing capacity and support job creation.
22 August 2013 – Implementation of the new Customs Systems Modernisation Programme
The National Development Plan (NDP) provides the strategic framework to put our economy onto a new growth trajectory with a strong emphasis on lowering the cost of doing business in South Africa, improving our competitiveness and exports, and linking our products with other emerging markets.
14 August 2013 – Two Million Tax Returns submitted
By 09:00 this morning the South African Revenue Service (SARS) had received over 2 million (2,000,126) income tax returns for the 2013 Tax Season. This compares favourably with the 1,840,834 returns submitted in the same period last year.
