Publication of the Annual Tax Statistics for 2020
Published Date: 31/12/2020The South African Revenue Service, with support of the National Treasury, have published the 13th annual edition of the Tax Statistics.
Trade Statistics for November 2020
Published Date: 28/12/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for November 2020 recording a trade surplus of R36.72 billion.
Closure of SARS offices from 24 December 2020 to 4 January 2021
Published Date: 22/12/2020We wish to inform members of the public that all SARS offices will be closed from Thursday 24 December 2020 until Monday 4 January 2021.
Concourt ruling confirms SARS’ right to withhold taxpayer information
Published Date: 15/12/2020The Commissioner of South African Revenue Service (SARS) Mr Kieswetter welcomes the unanimous judgment of the Constitutional Court handed down by Judge Madlanga on 15 December 2020 in Public Protector v CSARS and others.
Request to minimize visits to SARS offices
Published Date: 15/12/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted with appreciation the address by His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, on 14 December 2020 on the second wave of the corona virus (COVID-19) that has engulfed our country.
Appointment of SARS Commissioner as Vice-Chairman of Global Forum
Published Date: 14/12/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner, Mr Edward Kieswetter, has been appointed as Vice-Chair of the Africa Initiative by the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.
Arrest of SARS officials for alleged corruption
Published Date: 14/12/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted with deep concern the arrest on 3 December 2020 of an employee, Mr Sello Lentsoane, for alleged corruption.
Government agencies destroy illegally imported vehicles
Published Date: 08/12/2020A joint government task force will today crush a number of illegally imported second-hand vehicles.
SARS welcomes judgement relating to Public Protector Report
Published Date: 07/12/2020SARS welcomes the Full Bench judgment of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in the matter relating to the Public Protector Report on an Investigation into Allegations of Violation of the Executive Ethics Code by Mr Pravin Gordhan.
Taxpayers must not be duped by criminals
Published Date: 07/12/2020SARS would like to warn taxpayers to be wary of persons posing as tax practitioners or tax experts who promise them that they could secure a refund from SARS.
Trade Statistics for October 2020
Published Date: 30/11/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2020 recording a trade surplus of R36.13 billion.
SARS Commissioner elected vice-chairperson of African tax forum
Published Date: 17/11/2020The General Assembly Meeting of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has elected the Commissioner-General of the Togolese Revenue Office, Mr Philippe Tchodie, as the new Chairperson of the ATAF Council.
SARS reparation process to be conducted with dignity and confidentiality
Published Date: 17/11/2020The media has requested confirmation that a SARS letter to Adv. Muzi Sikhakhane SC dated 16 November 2020, which was regrettably posted on social media, is authentic.
SARS will discontinue the use of cheques
Published Date: 12/11/2020Following the decision by South African banks to discontinue cheques as a form of payment, SARS has decided not to accept cheques as a form of payment at Customs ports of entry from 14 December 2020 and at banks from 1 January 2021.
Time running out for online tax return filers
Published Date: 12/11/2020SARS reminds individual taxpayers who are required to file an income return that they have until Monday 16 November 2020 to submit returns via the online platforms, namely the SARS MobiApp or eFiling.
SARS wins court case involving illegal fuel imports
Published Date: 11/11/2020The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has upheld the seizure by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of the horse and trailer used for the transport of fuel unlawfully imported into South Africa.
Trade Statistics for September 2020
Published Date: 30/10/2020Pretoria, 30 October 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for September 2020 recording a trade surplus of R33.51 billion.
SARS welcomes revenue announcement
Published Date: 28/10/2020SARS welcomes the commitment made by the Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni to reduce the budget deficit and achieve higher economic growth when he presented the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament earlier today.
SARS right to liquidate a taxpayer to recover debt
Published Date: 16/10/2020SARS welcomes the North High Court decision in the matter between the Commissioner for the SARS and Zikhulise Cleaning Maintenance and Transport Service on 14 October 2020.
SARS welcomes High Court judgment on taxpayer obligations
Published Date: 16/10/2020SARS welcomes the judgment delivered this week by a Full Bench of the Gauteng Division of the High Court that confirms the obligation of an individual taxpayer to be vigilant about the contents of their income tax return.
Time running out to file income tax return at a SARS branch
Published Date: 16/10/2020SARS reminds individual taxpayers who wish to file their personal income tax return at a SARS branch that the final day to do so is next week Thursday 22 October 2020.
SARS employee arrested in sting operation
Published Date: 06/10/2020An employee of the South African Revenue Service working in the Bloemfontein debt management office, was arrested on Monday 5 October following a sting operation by the HAWKS for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a taxpayer.
Racehorse administrator sentenced to 10 years for VAT fraud and theft
Published Date: 01/10/2020SARS welcomes the sentencing of a businesswoman to an effective 10 years imprisonment for submitting fraudulent claims for Value-Added Tax (VAT).
Trade Statistics for August 2020
Published Date: 30/09/2020Pretoria, 30 September 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for August 2020 recording a trade surplus of R38.87 billion.
SARS committed to create employment opportunities for young people
Published Date: 18/09/2020SARS has committed itself to make a difference in providing employment opportunities for young people.
SARS employs over 700 previously outsourced cleaning staff
Published Date: 16/09/2020SARS has taken the unusual step of employing over 700 cleaning staff, who were previously subcontracted, as permanent employees.
Half-yearly employer reconciliations and third party declarations
Published Date: 14/09/2020SARS wishes to announce that the interim employer reconciliation and third party declaration period is now open and closes on 31 October 2020.
Importation of a second-hand vehicle
Published Date: 04/09/2020SARS has noted the judgement handed by the Full Court of the High Court Division Free State, Bloemfontein, which dismissed SARS’ appeal on 27 July 2020.
SARS victory against non-compliance: Cart Blanche matter
Published Date: 04/09/2020SARS warmly welcomes the court’s decision of 31 August 2020, which ruled in its favour in the matter involving Cart Blanche Marketing CC and two others.
Trade Statistics for July 2020
Published Date: 31/08/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for July 2020 recording a trade surplus of R37.42 billion.
New developments in next phase of Individual Filing Season
Published Date: 27/08/2020SARS is continuing on its journey to make this year’s filing season a seamless and easy process to help taxpayers fulfil their legal obligations.
Update on SARS Filing Season (PIT)
Published Date: 20/08/2020In keeping with the core principles of our Strategic Intent, we follow the approach of Voluntary Compliance. This means that we make the assumption that most taxpayers are honest, and want to comply.
Update on the Filing Season (PIT)
Published Date: 07/08/2020Last week, we launched the next phase of Filing Season 2020, namely the filing of individual tax returns. In keeping with the core principles of our Strategic Intent, we follow the approach of Voluntary Compliance.
Trade Statistics for June 2020
Published Date: 31/07/2020The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for June 2020 recording a trade surplus of R46.63 billion.
Bust of rhino horns at OR Tambo International
Published Date: 14/07/2020Customs officials at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) discovered 41 pieces of rhino horn valued at R115.66 million in a consignment declared as “fine art”.
Trade Statistics for May 2020
Published Date: 30/06/2020Pretoria, 30 June 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for May 2020 recording a trade surplus of R15.94 billion.
Filing Season 2020
Published Date: 25/06/2020Our country is enduring the most difficult period in its history. As President Cyril Ramaphosa aptly reminded us on Wednesday 17 June: “For 100 days we have been living in the shadow of one of the greatest threats to global health in over 100 years.”
SARS notes IGI court order of 8 June 2020
Published Date: 09/06/2020The Commissioner of SARS notes that the manner in which the IGI and the Minister of State Security handled the review application affirms his consistent view.
Trade Statistics for April 2020
Published Date: 29/05/2020Pretoria, 29 May 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2020 recording a trade deficit of R35.02 billion.
Media statement by SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter
Published Date: 19/05/2020SARS has learnt with concern, that as of yesterday, 18 May 2020, 2 additional positive COVID-19 instances among staff have been reported. This brings the total number of infections to 7 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Time running out for employers’ submissions and payment to SARS
Published Date: 15/05/2020SARS wishes to remind employers of their legal obligation to submit payroll information to SARS on or before the deadline of Sunday 31 May 2020.
Media statement by SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter
Published Date: 14/05/2020SARS is proud to announce an initiative by its employees to collect money in support of those in need due to the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Statement by SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter at a media briefing held on Tuesday 5 May 2020
Published Date: 05/05/2020So much has changed during the past 2.5 months to bring to a culmination a year that was already characterized with so many challenges ahead of COVID-19 and the investment downgrade.
Trade Statistics for March 2020
Published Date: 30/04/2020Pretoria, 30 April 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for March 2020 recording a trade surplus of R24.25 billion.
Update: SARS preliminary revenue outcome for 2019-20
Published Date: 01/04/2020SARS announced its preliminary revenue collection results in the context of global and local economic weaknesses, compounded by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Trade Statistics for February 2020
Published Date: 31/03/2020Pretoria, 31 March 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for February 2020 recording a trade surplus of R14.15 billion.
SARS pays R2.4 billion in refunds during lockdown
Published Date: 30/03/2020South Africa like many countries in the world continue to battle with the economic and health impact arising from the COVID 19 pandemic.
SARS makes special arrangements for lockdown
Published Date: 26/03/2020SARS is fully aligned and supportive to the overall Containment Strategy of Government, in response the COVID-19 pandemic.
Update: North Gauteng High Court confirms taxpayer information is confidential
Published Date: 26/03/2020On 23 March 2020, the North Gauteng High Court handed down judgment in favour of the Commissioner in the matter between the Commissioner of SARS v The Public Protector.
North Gauteng High Court confirms taxpayer information is confidential
Published Date: 23/03/2020SARS has noted that the High Court has found in favour of SARS
Employers must carry out their duties as agents of SARS
Published Date: 12/03/2020SARS wishes to thank those compliant employers who have carried out all their tax obligations as agents for SARS, in terms of our country’s tax legislation.
SARS takes COVID-19 precautions at branches & ports of entry
Published Date: 08/03/2020SARS has announced that it has taken several precautionary measures in response to risk of infection from the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Lifman case: Supreme Court of Appeal rules in favour of SARS
Published Date: 01/03/2020SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has expressed his appreciation of the judgement of the SCA to dismiss with costs an application for leave to appeal by businessman Mr Mark Roy Lifman.
SARS wins 10-year battle against non-compliant taxpayer
Published Date: 28/02/2020SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has welcomed the court victory against Mr Gary Van der Merwe and various entities he controls after a 10-year court battle which ended up in the Constitutional Court.
Trade Statistics for January 2020
Published Date: 28/02/2020Pretoria, 28 February 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2020 recording a trade deficit of R1.87 billion.
SARS warns non-compliant taxpayers and traders
Published Date: 27/02/2020SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has warned non-compliant taxpayers and traders that the revenue authority will not tolerate any transgressions of tax and customs laws.
Tax fraudsters sentenced in high court
Published Date: 21/02/2020Two Cape Town businesspersons were sentenced to 16 and 17 years respectively direct imprisonment in the Cape High Court earlier today.
SARS takes a big step towards building a smart modern revenue authority
Published Date: 01/02/2020SARS has embarked on a journey to reimagine a future revenue authority where increasingly its work will be informed by data-driven insights, self-learning computers, artificial intelligence and interconnectivity of people and devices.
Trade Statistics for December 2019
Published Date: 31/01/2020Pretoria, 31 January 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for December 2019 recording a trade surplus of R14.85 billion.
SARS Commissioner highlights illicit economy at International Customs Day event
Published Date: 24/01/2020Today SARS hosted an event to celebrate International Customs Day, which is held around the world on 26 January annually.
Illicit trade – a threat to our people and sovereignty
Published Date: 22/01/2020SARS will celebrate International Customs Day (ICD) this weekend by honouring the men and women in its Customs division.
