29 December 2016 – Trade Statistics for November 2016
Published Date: 29/12/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for November 2016 recording a trade balance deficit of R1.09 billion. The year-to-date deficit (01 January to 30 November 2016) of R14.61 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R59.28 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
28 December 2016 – SARS Customs seize 10 935 pairs of sneakers worth R8,7 million
Published Date: 28/12/2016SARS Customs made a massive seizure of suspected counterfeit sneakers to the value of R8,7 million at Lebombo border post early on Monday morning.
23 December 2016 – Tax fraud syndicate member sentenced to 30 years
Published Date: 23/12/2016The last member of a 16-member syndicate that systematically defrauded SARS of approximately R26 million over a period of seven years was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on Tuesday, 20 December 2016.
22 December 2016 – SARS Customs makes massive currency bust of R 9,2 million
Published Date: 22/12/2016ARS Customs made a massive currency bust of 660 000 US dollars to the value of R9,2 Million at OR Tambo International Airport on Monday.
20 December 2016 – SARS warns of scams during festive season
Published Date: 20/12/2016Taxpayers, including corporate organisations, are warned to be on the lookout for scams and fraudulent activities during the festive period.
13 December 2016 – Bolivian man found with 5.340kg coke hidden in bag
Published Date: 13/12/2016SARS Custom officials intercepted a Bolivian male passenger carrying cocaine that weighed 5.340kg with an estimated value of R1 536 318 at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday.
7 December 2016 – eFiling system down on Friday 9 December from 15:00
Published Date: 07/12/2016SARS wishes to inform taxpayers that its eFiling system will be unavailable on Friday 9 December 2016 between 15h00 and 22h00 due to a substantial IT system upgrade and maintenance.
5 December 2016 – SARS busts drugs over R6.8-million in 5 incidents
Published Date: 05/12/2016SARS Customs officials and detector dogs intercepted four drug mules trying to smuggle cocaine estimated at more than R4.2-million in four separate incidents at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.
1 December 2016 – SARS leadership is accountable
Published Date: 01/12/2016With dismay, the South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) has noted today’s media reports where the SARS’ leadership is unjustifiably accused of lack of accountability.
30 November 2016 – Trade Statistics for October 2016
Published Date: 30/11/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2016 recording a trade balance deficit of R4.41 billion. The year-to-date deficit (01 January to 31 October 2016) of R14.35 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R59.50 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
28 November 2016 – Preliminary outcome of the 2016 tax season
Published Date: 28/11/2016SARS received 5.74 million returns by the close of tax season for non-provisional taxpayers on Friday, 25 November 2016
24 November 2016 – Tax Season: SARS sounds final day alert for tax returns
Published Date: 24/11/2016The clock is ticking as Tax Season hits its final day mark.
24 November 2016 – Two men arrested for R110-million vat fraud scam
Published Date: 24/11/2016A business man and his accountant were arrested for claiming R110-million VAT refunds for a non-existent business in Cape Town this morning (24 November).
21 November 2016 – Tax Season: 4 days to go!
Published Date: 21/11/2016Non-provisional taxpayers have four days to file their tax returns before Tax Season officially closes for this category of taxpayer on Friday, 25 November 2016.
20 November 2016 – SARS Customs busts 10.4kg cocaine valued at R2.9-m
Published Date: 20/11/2016ARS Customs officials intercepted a female passenger from Brazil with 10.405kg cocaine worth R2 993 519.00 at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
17 November 2016 – SARS walk for tax in Soweto to mark 6 day countdown
Published Date: 17/11/2016SARS employees will take part in the final leg of the Walk for Tax Thank You campaign in the heart of Soweto on Saturday, 19 November 2016.
16 November 2016 – High Court rules in favour of SARS’ urgent application against Lekgotla Trifecta Consortium
Published Date: 16/11/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) welcomes the ruling by the High Court today in favour of its urgent application against Lekgotla Trifecta Consortium (LTC), suspending the performance of any further debt collection services by LTC in terms of the Master Service Agreement or Service Request Agreement.
11 November 2016 – Books reveal hidden cocaine
Published Date: 11/11/2016SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane, praised the vigilance of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Detector Dog Unit when a cleverly concealed cocaine stash was discovered inside books at OR Tambo International Airport today.
10 November 2016 – SARS branches extend operating hours for the tax season deadline
Published Date: 10/11/2016With less than 3 weeks to go before the 25 November Tax Season deadline for non-provisional taxpayers, the South African Revenue Service is doing its’ bit to ensure that taxpayers meet their tax obligations with some SARS branches extending working days to Saturdays for the next two weekends – 12 and 19 November 2016.
8 November 2016 – SARS welcomes concourt ruling on racism case
Published Date: 08/11/2016ARS welcomes the landmark Constitutional Court’s ruling in its favour with regard to its decision to dismiss Mr Jacobus Johannes Kruger for calling his supervisor, Abel Mboweni with the K-word.
31 October 2016 – R5.5-millions busts in two separate incidents
Published Date: 31/10/2016It has been a busy weekend for SARS Customs officials and the detector dog units that intercepted two smuggling attempts in two separate incidents in Durban and Johannesburg over the weekend.
31 October 2016 – Trade Statistics for September 2016
Published Date: 31/10/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for September 2016 recording a trade balance surplus of R6.70 billion. The year-to-date deficit (01 January to 30 September 2016) of R9.95 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R37.19 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
28 October 2016 – Corruption Watch letter
Published Date: 28/10/2016The South African Revenue Service confirms receipt of the letter from Corruption Watch to Commissioner Tom Moyane with a due date of November 2016. We have noticed that the letter has been made public by Corruption Watch.
28 October 2016 – SARS commissioner opens new George branch
Published Date: 28/10/2016SARS Commissioner, Mr Tom Moyane officially opened the new SARS George branch, in the Western Cape today.
27 October 2016 – Hawks incident
Published Date: 27/10/2016SARS has noted the media reports and circulated video material. To the extent that the matter relates to members of the HAWKS the enquiries must be directed to the relevant law enforcement agency.
24 October 2016 – SARS detector dog bust 8kg cocaine at OR Tambo
Published Date: 24/10/2016SARS Customs inspectors in the detector dog unit intercepted a female passenger from Sao Paolo with 8kg of cocaine in a suitcase estimated at R2.3-million at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
23 October 2016 – Detector dog sniffs 7.5 kg of cocaine in hair treatment bottles
Published Date: 23/10/2016SARS Custom official intercepted 7.5kg of cocaine hidden in hair treatment bottles estimated at R2.1-million at a courier company outlet at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
21 October 2016 – Heroin bust of R7,9 Million at Lebombo border post
Published Date: 21/10/2016The South African Revenue Service Detector Dog Unit confiscated Heroin to the value of R7,9 Million at Lebombo border post yesterday. They did this with the help of one of SARS’ narcotics detector dogs.
20 October 2016 – SARS takes urgent court action to terminate Lekgotla Trifecta Consortium contract
Published Date: 20/10/2016SARS wishes to announce that it has instituted urgent proceedings at the High Court to immediately terminate the contract between SARS and LTC.
19 October 2016 – More than 4-million tax returns already received
Published Date: 19/10/2016With just six weeks to go to end of tax season 2016, SARS has already received 4 166 243 individual income tax returns.
14 October 2016 – SARS response to m&g article titled “SARS chief Tom Toyane nephew linked to plum R220 million tax debt collection contract”
Published Date: 14/10/2016SARS has noted the M&G article “SARS chief Tom Moyane nephew linked to plum R220 million tax debt collection contract” which relates to the appointment of Lekgotla Trifecta Consortium (“LTC”) following an open tender process.
11 October 2016 – SARS offices to close at 17h00 on 14 October 2016 due to scheduled it maintenance
Published Date: 11/10/2016SARS wishes to inform taxpayers that its tax and customs offices will close at 17:00 on Friday 14 October 2016 due to a substantial IT system upgrade and maintenance.
7 October 2016 – Viagra worth R8-million intercepted at OR Airport
Published Date: 07/10/2016ARS Customs officials intercepted 6 boxes of 80 000 Viagra pills worth R8-million at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
7 October 2016 – Woman busted with R14, 919 606-million at OR Tambo Airport
Published Date: 07/10/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a female passenger to Dubai trying to smuggle over $1-million (R14, 919 606) at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
30 September 2016 – SARS on collective investment schemes and takeovers
Published Date: 30/09/2016SARS has noted recent media reports on planned transactions that would involve shareholders in the target of a high profile takeover disposing of their shares to Collective Investment Schemes (“Schemes”) by way of an asset-for-share transaction under section 42 of the Income Tax Act, 1962.
30 September 2016 – Trade Statistics for August 2016
Published Date: 30/09/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for August 2016 recording a trade balance deficit of R8.56 billion. The cumulative trade balance surplus (01 January to 31 August 2016) of R7.41 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R35.10 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
23 September 2016 – SARS the good news story
Published Date: 23/09/2016We have noted the continued and sustained media attacks on the integrity of SARS and the Commissioner, Tom Moyane, on blanket malicious allegations that cannot be substantiated by facts.
16 September 2016 – SARS appoints senior executives to act in Makwakwa’s position
Published Date: 16/09/2016The South African Revenue Service’s Commissioner Tom Moyane has appointed Mrs. Firdous Sallie, as the Acting the Chief Officer for Business and Individual Tax (BAIT), while Mr. Tau Mashigo, will serve as Acting Chief Officer: Digital Information Services and Technology (DIST) with immediate effect.
12 September 2016 – Male found with R1.5-million cocaine
Published Date: 12/09/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a male passenger who was in possession of a 5kg cocaine package with a street value of approximately R1 438 500. 00 at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
31 August 2016 – Trade Statistics for July 2016
Published Date: 31/08/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for July 2016 recording a trade balance surplus of R5.22 billion. The cumulative trade balance surplus (01 January to 31 July 2016) of R17.40 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R24.67 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
15 August 2016 – Woman bust with 100 Cuban Cigars worth R2-million
Published Date: 15/08/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a Venezuelan female trying to smuggle 100 cocaine cigar tubes, weighing almost 8kg and worth R2.0-million, at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
29 July 2016 – Trade Statistics for June 2016
Published Date: 29/07/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for June 2016 recording a trade balance surplus of R12.53 billion. The cumulative trade balance surplus (01 January to 30 June 2016) of R12.52 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2015 of R22.95 billion. These figures include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
25 July 2016 – 1-million tax returns filed in 21 days
Published Date: 25/07/2016South African taxpayers have submitted 1-million tax returns in 21 days.
6 July 2016 – Heavy drug bust of heroin and cocaine at OR Tambo
Published Date: 06/07/2016South African Revenue Service Customs officials discovered wedding cards en-route to Australia concealing 3,5kg of heroin worth a street value of over R1 million on Monday, 4 July.
1 July 2016 – Walk-for-Tax hits Pretoria for Tax Season
Published Date: 01/07/2016SARS Commissioner, Tom Moyane, and staff hit the streets of Pretoria to launch Tax Season.
1 July 2016 – Zimbabwean clampdown strangles beitbridge border
Published Date: 01/07/2016A group of South African traders staged a protest at the Beitbridge border following a clampdown on trade with South African businesses by the Zimbabwean authorities.
30 June 2016 – Trade Statistics for May 2016
Published Date: 30/06/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for May 2016 that recorded a trade surplus of R18.73 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
27 June 2016 – Get ready, Tax Season 2016 is here
Published Date: 27/06/2016Tax Season 2016 is a mere three days away. From Friday, 1 July 2016, taxpayers can officially commence completing and submitting their 2016 income tax returns.
20 June 2016 – Two passengers swallow 91 cocaine bullets in long weekend drug busts worth R6,5 million by SARS customs
Published Date: 20/06/2016A bizarre concealment of 91 cocaine bullets inside two passengers plus two narcotics busts totalling R6,5 Million were made by SARS Customs at OR Tambo International last week.
13 June 2016 – R9-million cocaine bust in untagged bag at OR Tambo
Published Date: 13/06/2016SARS Customs officials and the detector dog unit intercepted 30kg of cocaine valued at R9 million at OR Tambo International this afternoon.
9 June 2016 – SARS stops Crystal Meth and Cannabis worth over R9 million at ORTIA
Published Date: 09/06/2016SARS Customs officials found 3kg of Crystal Methamphetamine in unaccompanied luggage at the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) yesterday.
6 June 2016 – SARS busted meth and cocaine worth R9-m over one weekend
Published Date: 06/06/2016SARS Customs officials and the Detector Dog Unit intercepted narcotics valued at approximately R9 million in three different incidents at ports over the weekend.
31 May 2016 – Trade Statistics for April 2016
Published Date: 31/05/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2016 that recorded a trade surplus of R0.43 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
29 May 2016 – Woman busted for R2.1-million cocaine
Published Date: 29/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a woman from Sao Paolo carrying 7kg of cocaine valued at R2.1-million at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
28 May 2016 – Crystal meth worth R7 560 000 million intercepted at OR Tambo
Published Date: 28/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted 25kg of crystal methamphetamine valued at R7,5 Million at OR International Airport last night.
24 May 2016 – Unclaimed bag with R8-million chrystal meth
Published Date: 24/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted an unaccompanied bag from India with 5 plastic bags of Chrystal meth valued at R8.1-million at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday.
23 May 2016 – PAYE deadline for employers – 31 May 2016
Published Date: 23/05/2016SARS wishes to remind employers to submit their 2016 Annual Employer Reconciliations (EMP501’s) for the period 1 March 2015 to 29 February 2016 to SARS by 31 May 2016.
20 May 2016 – A male passenger from Sao Paulo was intercepted carrying 8.40kg of cocaine valued at R2.341-million
Published Date: 20/05/2016A male passenger from Sao Paulo was intercepted carrying 8.40kg of cocaine valued at R2.341-million at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
19 May 2016 – Man found with gold worth R87 093 in a jam jar
Published Date: 19/05/2016SARS Customs officials busted a Congolese male in possession of 136g of gold worth almost R 100 000 at the Cape Town International Airport yesterday, Tuesday at 5.30pm.
16 May 2016 – Lone traveller nabbed with 20 gold bars worth R7-million
Published Date: 16/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a Lebanese male passenger en route to Dubai carrying 17 rectangular gold bars and three circular bars weighing 23kg worth more than R7-million at O R Tambo International Airport yesterday.
26 May 2016 – Man arrested for unclaimed bag with R6-million Ephedrine
Published Date: 16/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted a man that claimed an unaccompanied bag containing 20kg of ephedrine valued at R6-million at the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.
11 May 2016 – Four female Brazilian body packers found with R2.2 million cocaine
Published Date: 11/05/2016SARS Customs officials intercepted four Brazilian women in possession of 8.5kg cocaine estimated at R2 250 000.00 at the Cape Town International Airport on Monday at 11: 40am.
4 May 2016 – SARS busts R10-million currency and cocaine in two separate incidents
Published Date: 04/05/2016South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs officials intercepted a consignment of currency worth R7.9 million at King Shaka International Airport in Durban last Friday, 29 April.
3 May 2016 – Cape woman found with cocaine chocolate bullets worth R1.2-million
Published Date: 03/05/2016SARS Customs officials busted a South African woman in possession of 4kg cocaine worth R1.2-million at the Cape Town International Airport yesterday at 5.15pm.
29 April 2016 – Trade Statistics for March 2016
Published Date: 29/04/2016Pretoria, 29 April 2016 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for March 2016 that recorded a trade surplus of R2.92 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
22 April 2016 – SARS R58-million heroin bust at Lebombo Border
Published Date: 22/04/2016Heroin with an estimated value of R58 million was confiscated at Lebombo border post on Wednesday evening by SARS Customs officials.
20 April 2016 – Cash and carry non-compliance assessments of over R600-million raised
Published Date: 20/04/2016The South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) crackdown on non-compliance has resulted in on-site inspections of over 100 Cash and Carry businesses in Gauteng over the last month.
17 April 2016 – SARS busts mandrax worth R80 million
Published Date: 17/04/2016SARS Customs officials busted drugs to the value of almost R80-million at the Kopfontein border post in North-West province yesterday.
01 April 2016 – SARS announces the preliminary outcome of revenue collection
Published Date: 01/04/2016The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has collected R 1.0699 trillion in taxes. This surpasses the R1.0697 trillion target by R154.07 million set out in this year’s budget speech by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan.
31 March 2016 – Trade Statistics for February 2016
Published Date: 31/03/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for February 2016 that recorded a trade deficit of R1.07 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
17 March 2016 – Customs busts R4-million crystal meth and detain gun
Published Date: 17/03/2016SARS Customs has detained a firearm and seized R4.26 Million worth of liquid crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth) in two different incidents yesterday.
10 March 2016 – SARS Customs seize R21 Million worth of narcotics
Published Date: 10/03/2016While the Russia-Africa Anti-Drug Dialogue was underway in Durban this week, SARS Customs officials have seized an estimated R21 Million street worth of narcotics with the assistance of upgraded state of the art scanning equipment, a highly trained detector dog unit, dedicated SARS Customs officers, and collaboration with the Hawks and the South African Police Service.
1 March 2016 – Clarification on recent media coverage
Published Date: 01/03/2016SARS has noted coverage in the last week by various media houses. SARS would like to respond to the reported issues.
22 February 2016 – R2.5-million drugs bust at OR Tambo International
Published Date: 22/02/2016Drugs worth an estimated R2.5-million were seized at OR Tambo International Airport by SARS Customs officials at the weekend.
15 February 2016 – Man arrested with R4-million drugs
Published Date: 15/02/2016A male passenger who seemed to be in a hurry to bypass customs was busted for possession of 13kg of methamphetamine valued at R4-million at OR International Airport at 6.16am on Sunday.
10 February 2016 – SARS busts R500 000 illicit cigarettes at Groblersbridge
Published Date: 10/02/2016SARS Customs officers intercepted a truck with illicit cigarettes worth over R500 000 at Groblersbridge on Sunday night.
9 February 2016 – R7-million currency bust at King Shaka International Airport
Published Date: 09/02/2016South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs officials intercepted a consignment of currency worth R7-million at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Sunday.
5 February 2016 – Two men in court for R8-Million VAT fraud
Published Date: 05/02/2016TWO men arrested for allegedly defrauding SARS of almost R8-million will appear at the Johannesburg Magistrate court today (Friday 5 February.)
3 February 2016 – SARS busts abalone and ephedrine worth over R10-million
Published Date: 03/02/2016SARS Customs Control officials busted ephedrine and abalone valued at more than R10-million in two separate incidents.
2 February 2016 – SARS continues crack down on non-compliance in cash ‘n carry sector
Published Date: 02/02/2016South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner, Tom Moyane, today announced the launch of random on-site inspections targeted at Cash & Carry businesses.
29 February 2016 – Trade Statistics for January 2016
Published Date: 29/01/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2016 that recorded a trade deficit of R17.87 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
29 January 2016 – Clarification by SARS on recent media coverage
Published Date: 29/01/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) takes note of recent reports in the media pertaining to the organisation. In particular, the SARS Operating Model Review and the leakage of confidential information have garnered media coverage. SARS wishes to present its perspective on the internal restructuring process underway.
29 January 2016 – Trade Statistics for December 2015
Published Date: 29/01/2016The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for December 2015 that recorded a trade surplus of R8.22 billion. This figure includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS).
25 January 2015 – R12-million drug bust at OR Tambo Airport
Published Date: 25/01/2016SARS Customs intercepted a male traveller from Tanzania carrying narcotics worth over R12-million at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday (24 January 2016).
22 January 2016 – Tax returns give insight into economic performance
Published Date: 22/01/2016The National Treasury and South African Revenue Service will host a special workshop on the potential of tax administration records to provide insight into firm growth and performance, and hence economic growth.
6 January 2016 – Dried abalone, heroin intercepted at borders
Published Date: 06/01/2016Customs officials busted heroin and abalone smugglers at two separate locations at Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and Beitbridge border post in Limpopo yesterday.
