THANK YOU, SOUTH AFRICA!
Over the past month, South Africans from all constituencies have come out to support the South African Revenue Service. Without exception, you have all rallied to the clarion call for the appropriate funding of SARS. On behalf of SARS, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the unqualified support you have given the organisation. Your encouragement and recognition of our privileged work make us proud. We cannot afford to take taxpayers and traders for granted. We are firmly committed to work even harder to serve you!
Our work contributes almost 90% of government revenue and that speaks to our higher purpose to make a difference in the lives of all. Your contribution helps to transform the lives of citizens and especially the most vulnerable among us. I know paying tax is not a painless exercise. I, personally, at times think of the many other ways I could spend my personal tax contribution. But I am quickly reminded that the taxes we contribute make a meaningful difference to a little girl and boy to get the chance of a decent education. A village or township Gogo, who often supports an extended family, can look them in the eyes and feed them when she receives her pension. A young mother can take care of her children and be safe from destitution. The privileged and rich can insure themselves against natural disasters, ravaging pandemics, and service failures. The poor and most vulnerable have nothing else but the social security and services government provides.
In more than 30 years since our freedom, honest taxpayers and traders have contributed R23.3 trillion to our young democracy. We should never take SARS for granted. The administrative efficiency and effectiveness of the tax and customs administration, despite limited economic growth, have meant that as a nation we are not what economists classify as a “heavily indebted poor country”. As a result, we can exercise our sovereignty substantively.
SARS will always act without fear, favour, or prejudice in discharging our work. Our conviction is that most taxpayers and traders are honest, and if we help them to understand their obligation, and work hard to make the fulfilment of that obligation easy, they will comply. In their name, we will also continue to prosecute those who break the law or do not comply.
THANK YOU for paying your taxes during the past financial year. Your contribution has enabled us to announce a revenue result of R1,855,090 bn, while improving compliance from 62.85% to 66.29%.
Many women and men at SARS have been with us for their entire working lives. Their single-minded commitment and diligent service have ensured that our democracy could be funded. I salute, honour and deeply appreciate their work.
Once again, THANK YOU SOUTH AFRICA!
Edward Kieswetter
SARS Commissioner
