Tax Statistics for the year 2023
Published Date: 29/12/2023National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have jointly published the 16th annual edition of the Tax Statistics. The 2023 edition provides an overview of tax-revenue collection and tax-return information for the 2019 to 2023 tax years, as well as for the 2018/19 to 2022/23 fiscal years.
Trade Statistics for November 2023
Published Date: 29/12/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R21.0 billion in November 2023. This surplus was attributable to exports of R185.8 billion and imports of R164.8 billion.
Trade Statistics for October 2023
Published Date: 30/11/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance deficit of R12.7 billion in October 2023 attributable to exports of R170.3 billion and imports of R183.0 billion.
Collective engagement to implement the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework
Published Date: 10/11/2023To keep pace with the rapid development and growth of the crypto-asset market and to ensure that recent gains in global tax transparency will not be gradually eroded, we welcome the new international standard on automatic exchange of information between tax authorities developed by the OECD – the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). The widespread, consistent and timely implementation of the CARF will further improve our ability to ensure tax compliance and clamp down on tax evasion, which reduces public revenues and increases the burden on those who pay their taxes.
SARS thanks millions of compliant taxpayers, whilst cautioning those who are non-compliant
Published Date: 07/11/2023he South African Revenue Service (SARS) thanks all non-provisional taxpayers who have fulfilled their legal obligations by filing their personal income tax (PIT) returns by the end of Filing Season. SARS also thanks taxpayers who made outstanding payments that were due.
SARS welcomes the MTBPS Revenue Announcement
Published Date: 01/11/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) welcomes the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) tabled in Parliament today by the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana, which revised the 2023 February Budget net tax revenue estimate from R1 787.5 billion to R1 730.4 billion.
Trade Statistics for September 2023
Published Date: 31/10/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R13.1 billion attributable to exports of R174.65 billion and imports of R161.51 billion.
SARS apologises to taxpayers
Published Date: 26/10/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS), strives to always clarify and remind taxpayers of their obligation in law, as well as the potential consequences should they not comply. Notwithstanding the legal mandate of SARS to act against taxpayers who fail to comply, it is generally expected that we first remind, and give the taxpayers the opportunity to comply, ahead of SARS commencing legal action.
SARS welcomes veil of secrecy judgment
Published Date: 20/10/2023The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the judgment handed down this week by the KwaZulu-Natal Local Division, dealing with the insolvent estate of Jubilee Plant Hire SA CC (“Jubilee”).
Reopening of SARS branch at Rissik street Johannesburg
Published Date: 17/10/2023The Rissik Street branch of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in Johannesburg that caught fire on 20 September will reopen tomorrow, Wednesday 18 October 2023.
SARS together with law enforcement break the coal syndicates
Published Date: 12/10/2023A massive inter-governmental search and seizure operation across five provinces was carried out today to break the back of a sophisticated criminal syndicate of alleged coal-smugglers, who played a major role in exacerbating the energy crisis and loadshedding.
Court confirms that false returns may attract administrative penalties and criminal prosecution
Published Date: 11/10/2023The Commissioner for South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr. Edward Kieswetter welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to dismiss the appeal of Mr. Ketsise Motloung and Others, with cost.
Constitutional court decision on duty-free purchases
Published Date: 06/10/2023The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr Edward Kieswetter, has welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court in the matter between Nu Africa Duty Free Shops (Pty) Ltd and Others and the Minister of Finance and Others.
Trade statistics for August 2023
Published Date: 29/09/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R13.3 billion in August 2023. This surplus is attributable to exports of R181.3 billion and imports of R168.0 billion.
Fire at Rissik Street office
Published Date: 21/09/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) confirms that a fire broke out at its branch in Rissik Street, Johannesburg, yesterday.
Media statement on the detention of vessels by SARS
Published Date: 20/09/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted the media report of 17 September 2023 by the Sunday Times concerning the detention of five vessels involved in the fuel bunkering supply chain.
Trade Statistics for July 2023
Published Date: 31/08/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R16.0 billion in July 2023 attributable to exports of R174.0 billion and imports of R158.0 billion.
SARS welcomes constitutional court judgment in Regiments Capital matter
Published Date: 18/08/2023The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr Edward Kieswetter, has welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court delivered yesterday (17 August 2023) in a matter involving Regiments Capital (Pty) Ltd.
SARS media statement
Published Date: 05/08/2023SARS Commissioner Kieswetter has noted the media coverage concerning the liquidation of Tariomix.
SARS media statement
Published Date: 02/08/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted the statement made by Mr. Julius Malema at the recently concluded press conference of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The statement purports that there was a meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and SARS Commissioner Mr. Edward Kieswetter where President Ramaphosa gave Commissioner Kieswetter an instruction to investigate the tax affairs of those that attended and sponsored the EFF Gala Dinner held on 27 July 2023.
SARS wins court battle against delinquent taxpayer
Published Date: 31/07/2023The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the order handed down on 26 July 2023 by the Kwa-Zulu Natal Local Division, Durban in which the recalcitrant sole member of Tiar Construction CC (in liquidation) (“Tiar Construction”) was ordered to cooperate with the liquidators in the administration of Tiar Construction’s estate.
Trade statistics for June 2023
Published Date: 31/07/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance deficit of R3.5 billion in June 2023, attributable to exports of R167.6 billion and imports of R171.1 billion.
SARS wins court battle against delinquent taxpayer
Published Date: 25/07/2023The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment, which dismissed with costs, two appeals against orders of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria (case no 543/2021); and the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court, Pietermaritzburg (case no 409/2022).
Africa focuses on Tax Transparency to counter tax evasion and illicit financial flows
Published Date: 06/07/2023The South African Revenue Service is hosting the 13th Meeting of the Africa Initiative over two days, bringing together Commissioners-General of revenue authorities across Africa, high-ranking representatives, experts, as well as regional and international organisations and civil society.
Trade Statistics for May 2023
Published Date: 30/06/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R10.2 billion in May 2023 attributable to exports of R184.2 billion and imports of R174.0 billion.
SARS Commissioner Mr Edward Kieswetter elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation
Published Date: 26/06/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) welcomes the election of its Commissioner Mr. Edward Kieswetter as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). The election took place on 24 June 2023 at the organisation’s Council session at the WCO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
2023 Filing season for Individuals and Trusts
Published Date: 23/06/2023In line with the strategic objective of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of making it easy and simple for taxpayers to meet their legal obligations, individuals (provisional and non-provisional taxpayers) as well as trusts may start filing their income tax returns on Friday 7 July 2023 after 8pm.
Destruction of smuggled and illicit cigarettes valued at R43-million
Published Date: 12/06/2023The Customs Division of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) today began to destroy illicit and smuggled cigarettes, valued at R43 million, at the Beitbridge border post.
Joint Media statement on current border congestion
Published Date: 06/06/2023Land border posts are currently experiencing congestion and delays in relation to the cross-border processing of trucks and cargo, with the N4 corridor to Maputo through the Lebombo border post being the most affected.
SARS appoints three deputy commissioners to strengthen leadership
Published Date: 02/06/2023SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, today announced the appointment of 3 Deputy Commissioners, to strengthen his executive team within SARS. This follows an extensive executive search which resulted in the appointment of one internal candidate and two from private sector.
SACU members sign mutual recognition arrangement
Published Date: 31/05/2023Accredited traders in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa will benefit from lower trade costs and quicker turn-around times for imports and exports, because of a Mutual Recognition Arrangement signed today by the five Member States of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).
Trade statistics for April 2023
Published Date: 31/05/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R3.5 billion attributable to exports of R163.8 billion and imports of R160.3 billion, in April 2023.
SARS media statement on the Constitutional Court ruling
Published Date: 30/05/2023Constitutional Court has handed down judgment in the matter involving a request to access certain tax records of the former President of the Republic of South Africa. This request was made in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) and was declined by SARS on the basis that legislation prohibited SARS from acting in any other way.
Employers must adhere to the deadline of 31 May 2023
Published Date: 29/05/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) urges all employers to comply with their legal obligations regarding the annual Employers Filing Season by the deadline of 31 May to avoid penalties, interest and / or criminal charges.
Media statement: Smuggling of cigarettes – Beitbridge Border post
Published Date: 20/05/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs Division intercepted on Saturday 20 May 2023 a truck carrying 440 master boxes of Remington Gold cigarettes, with estimated total value of R9 million, which were falsely declared as Cotton Oil Cake.
Media statement on the African Global Holding
Published Date: 19/05/2023The Commissioner of South African Revenue Service (SARS) Mr Edward Kieswetter welcomed the decision of the Constitutional Court of 17 May 2023 to dismiss the application for leave to appeal the Supreme Court of Appeal verdict by the African Global Holding (Pty) Ltd (AGH).
Media statement on the judgment in the Regiments Capital matter
Published Date: 19/05/2023he Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Mr Edward Kieswetter, said he was pleased to note the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal on 18 May 2023 in the matter of Commissioner for SARS v Regiments Regiments Capital (Pty) Ltd and Others.
SARS detects unusually high number of suspicious VAT registrations
Published Date: 11/05/2023SARS is committed to paying legitimate refunds to qualifying taxpayers as and when they become due. In line with this commitment in the 2022/23 financial year a record R381bn in refunds were paid of which R319bn were VAT refunds.
SARS conducts raid at an unregistered warehouse
Published Date: 05/05/2023Members of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) conducted a raid on an unauthorised warehouse in Vryburg, North-West yesterday, 4 May 2023, confiscating millions of rands worth of illegally manufactured alcohol and bitcoin mining equipment.
SARS media statement – How SARS has changed tax compliance status reporting for transferring funds abroad
Published Date: 03/05/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wishes to provide an update with respect to the matter of Tax Compliance Status. As the previous Tax Compliance Status (TCS) solution had been operational since April 2016 and processed substantial and growing volumes of taxpayers requesting 3rd party verification requests, including Foreign Investment Allowance and Emigration, there was need for an enhancement to the system to rationalise and speed it up.
Media statement on the impounded truck with illicit cigarettes
Published Date: 02/05/2023The law enforcement team comprising of South African Revenue Service, South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police acting on a tip-off intercepted a truck carrying illicit cigarettes at Bronkhorstspruit on the early hours of Monday, 1 May 2023.
Trade Statistics for March 2023
Published Date: 28/04/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R6.9 billion in March 2023. This surplus is attributable to exports of R192.2 billion and imports of R185.3 billion.
SA continues to reap the benefits of improved revenue collection
Published Date: 03/04/2023he South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to announce its preliminary revenue collection results for the 2022/2023 financial year, which reflects a significant growth trajectory over the past few years.
Trade Statistics for February 2023
Published Date: 31/03/2023South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R16.1 billion in February 2023 attributable to exports of R154.3 billion and imports of R138.2 billion.
Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and the Public Officers for Ntaba Nyoni Estate and Ntaba Nyoni feedlot provide consent to SARS to make a public statement on their Tax Compliance Status
Published Date: 07/03/2023Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, Ntaba Nyoni Estate and Ntaba Nyoni Feedlot, SARS has received the consent of the Taxpayers in terms of section 69 (6) of the Tax Administration Act no 28 of 2011 (TAA), to make a public statement.
SARS response to PAIA request by Mr John Steenhuisen
Published Date: 06/03/2023SARS confirms that it has responded to the request by the leader of the Democratic Alliance, Mr John Steenhuisen, made in terms of section 18(1) of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) regarding the declaration of a certain traveller.
Release of the 15th Annual Edition of Tax Statistics
Published Date: 03/03/2023National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service have published the 15th annual edition of the Tax Statistics. The 2022 edition provides an overview of tax revenue collections and tax return information for the 2018 to 2022 tax years, as well as the 2017/18 to 2021/22 fiscal years.
Trade Statistics for January 2023
Published Date: 28/02/2023SARS today releases trade statistics for January 2023 recording a preliminary trade balance deficit of R23.05 billion, with exports of R139.4bn and imports of R162.4bn.
Joint operation nets illicit cigarettes worth millions
Published Date: 27/02/2023The South African Revenue Service’s National Customs Enforcement Team working together with the South African Police Service and South African Defence Force over the weekend of 25-26 February intercepted truckloads of illicit cigarettes, based on intelligence received.
New accord further cements collaboration between SAPS/ DPCI and SARS
Published Date: 24/02/2023Enhanced cooperation and collaboration between SAPS/ DPCI (Hawks) and SARS is being bolstered with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding that promotes the exchange of information, joint initiatives and more effective operational arrangements in line with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements.
SARS Customs and SAPS seize 378 kg of cocaine
Published Date: 24/02/2023Customs officers of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service carried out an early morning raid today on a container ship at the Durban harbour and found 300kg of cocaine in one of the containers on board the ship.
SARS continues to show its mettle in revenue collection
Published Date: 22/02/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) accepted the increased revenue collection estimate announced by Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana. In his 2023 Budget Speech, the Minister increased the revenue estimate to R1.69 trillion, an increase of R93.7 billion from the 2022 February Budget statement.
Trade Statistics released for December 2022
Published Date: 31/01/2023SARS today releases trade statistics for December 2022 recording a preliminary trade balance surplus of R5.43 billion attributable to exports of R163.27 billion and imports of R157.83 billion.
Transfer pricing: Intra-Group Loans
Published Date: 17/01/2023The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has today released an interpretation note titled “DETERMINATION OF THE TAXABLE INCOME OF CERTAIN PERSONS FROM INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS: INTRA-GROUP LOANS” which provides guidance on how SARS will determine arm’s length pricing for intra-group loans. The Note also provides guidance on the consequences for a taxpayer if the amount of debt, the cost of debt or both are not arm’s length.
