What’s New at SARS

17 August 2023 – We are pleased to report that the error message ‘Failed to capture details’ on the eBooking system was resolved.

17 August 2023 – Achieving our Vision 2024 of a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired is of paramount importance. Pivotal to the delivery of our vision are our digital platforms & technology infrastructure. In order to provide clarity & certainty, make it easy for taxpayers & traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets have to demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.

Pursuant to our Vision and Strategic Objectives, which include modernising our systems to provide Digital and Streamlined online services, we are hard at work ensuring that our digital platforms & technology infrastructure are available, robust & secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements, and maintenance.

In light of the above, SARS Digital platform upgrades are scheduled for Saturday 19 August 2023 from 22:00 to Sunday 20 August 2023 at 03:00.

During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on our eFiling Platform.

Customs Digital Platform will not be available during this time.

Responses (CUSRES messages) to transactions submitted during this time will be delayed, however arrival and exit management functions are available at land border posts for all released declarations and manifests.

Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit priority Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest by Saturday,19 August 2023 by 21:00.

16 August 2023 – Income Tax Act, 1962: The following Interpretation Notes were updated:

• Interpretation Note 110 (Issue 2) – Leasehold improvements
• Interpretation Note 109 (Issue 2) – Lease premiums
• Interpretation Note 107 (Issue 2) – Deduction in respect of commercial buildings

16 August 2023 – Income Tax Act, 1962: The following Interpretation Notes were archived:

• Interpretation Note 110 – Leasehold improvements
• Interpretation Note 109 – Lease premiums
• Interpretation Note 107 – Deduction in respect of commercial buildings

16 August 2023 – Value-Added Tax Act, 1991: Reference Guides

• VAT Rulings Process Reference Guide (Issue 2)
• VAT Section 72 Decisions Process Reference Guide (Issue 2)

For ease of reference examples of sanitised VAT rulings templates have been included to assist taxpayers wishing to apply for VAT rulings or section 72 decisions. These templates may be customised accordingly.

16 August 2023 – On Thursday, 17 August, the Pinetown branch will open later i.e. from 8:30 instead of 8:00 in the morning due to electrical maintenance by the Mall management. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

16 August 2023 – We are aware of an issue being encountered by certain users, the message is ‘Failed to capture details’. Our teams are working on resolving the issue as soon as possible. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

As a workaround Tax Practitioners are advised to manually type the Tax Practitioner Number and not copy and paste it and/or include any spaces in the number.

15 August 2023 – RFP13/2023: Appointment of suppliers for supply and delivery of inverters, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels (Alternative energy equipment) for the period of three (3) years.

14 August 2023 – RFP29/2023: Appointment of a service provider for the provision of regulatory compliance management software tool

14 August 2023 – We have listened to you and made it easier to book an appointment with SARS. The changes include:

• You can now book a branch walk-in appointment via the eBooking system, where previously this type of appointment could only be booked through the SARS Contact Centre
• Only available timeslots will be displayed from now on, no more ‘timeslot not available’ messages
• Booked slots will be automatically cancelled if supporting documents are not uploaded within 24 hours, thereby freeing up timeslots.

Book your appointment with SARS here.

See the updated eBooking Guide: Book your appointment with SARS.

11 August 2023 – Value-Added Tax Act, 1991:  Value-added tax Notice R.3780​, published in Government Gazette 49104 of 11 August 2023, Amendment of paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 to regulate the exemption of the value-added tax on the importation of arms and ammunition, parts and accessories thereof imported for the purposes of testing and experimenting therewith.

11 August 2023 – Awarded Tenders

The updated successful bids document reflecting contract description, bid numbers, names of the successful bidder(s) and preference points claimed is now available.

11 August 2023 – Achieving our Vision 2024 of a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired is of paramount importance. Pivotal to the delivery of our vision are our digital platforms & technology infrastructure. In order to provide clarity & certainty, make it easy for taxpayers & traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets have to demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.

Pursuant to our Vision and Strategic Objectives, which include modernising our systems to provide Digital and Streamlined online services, we are hard at work ensuring that our digital platforms & technology infrastructure are available, robust & secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements, and maintenance.

In light of the above, eFiling may be intermittently unavailable on Friday 11 August 2023 from 18:00 until 22:00.

11 August 2023 – The SARS branches in Western Cape are open and back to normal after this past week’s taxi strike. Our apologies again for the inconvenience.

8 August 2023 – RFP02/2023: The provision of cleaning consumables, chemicals, and industrial cleaning equipment to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) offices nationwide

8 August 2023 – RFP09/2023: Appointment of the service provider for the provision of electric forklifts for the period of five (5) years

7 August 2023 – The latest VAT Connect Newsletter Issue 16 is now available. This issue includes information on recent amendments, documentary requirements for repossession and surrender if goods, the new dispute resolution process, changes to the VAT registration process, commercial accommodation arranged via Apps and platforms and domestic reverse charge regulations.

7 August 2023 – The following SARS branches are affected by this week’s taxi strike: Bellville, Cape Town and Mitchells Plain. Until further notice and to protect the safety of our staff and taxpayers, the branches will only be able to assist with eBooking appointments. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

7 August 2023 –  The SARS Sibasa branch in Limpopo is closed today Monday, 7 August 2023 due to water maintenance. Staff will assist taxpayers virtually, where possible. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

5 August 2023- SARS Commissioner Kieswetter has noted the media coverage concerning the liquidation of Tariomix.

The allegations of SARS officials, although unclear, of complicity are taken very seriously and are being investigated by the SARS Anti-Corruption Division. If there is any truth to the allegations, SARS will deal with the officials promptly and harshly.

Commissioner Kieswetter wishes to state that he has been briefed on the matter and cautions against media speculation as there are other factors, that relate to the liquidation, which demand investigation and may, potentially, lead to legal proceedings being initiated.

At this time, the Commissioner cannot provide any further commentary except to assure the public that any form of corruption will be thoroughly dealt with decisively.

For further information, please contact SARS at [email protected]