PRETORIA, Wednesday, 21 AUGUST 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) placed a further executive, Ms.  Mmamathe Makheke-Mokhuane on precautionary suspension pending the finalization of a disciplinary process in respect of serious allegations of misconduct. This brings the number of executives currently on precautionary suspension to five.

The Executives are:

• Mr Hlengani Mathebula, Chief Officer: Governance, International Relations, Strategy and Communications
• Mr Teboho Mokoena, Chief Officer: Human Capital & Development
• Mr Luther Lebelo, Group Executive: Employee Relations
• Ms. Refiloe Mokoena, Chief Officer: Legal Counsel
• Ms. Mmamathe Makhekhe-Mokhuane, Chief Officer: Digital ; Information and Technology Services 

This is part of an ongoing comprehensive review of the whole SARS leadership by the Commissioner in terms of good governance and, further, in response to the report on the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS, the “Nugent Report”. 

Ms. Makhekhe-Mokhuane’s precautionary suspension takes effect immediately. It must be re-iterated, that these suspensions are precautionary in nature and as such do not amount to findings of any wrong doing on the part of the executives concerned. A determination in this regard will only be made on the finalization of the process. SARS requests that the privacy of the individuals concerned and the confidentiality of the employer–employee relationship be respected. SARS will not comment further on the matter until its concluded.

Pretoria, 31 July 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has placed key executives on precautionary suspension and extended the suspension of another executive today on 31 July, 2019 pending the finalization of a disciplinary process in respect of serious allegations of misconduct.

The Executives are:

• Mr Hlengani Mathebula, Chief Officer: Governance, International Relations, Strategy and Communications
• Mr Teboho Mokoena, Chief Officer: Human Capital & Development
• Mr Luther Lebelo, Group Executive: Employee Relations 

This is part of an ongoing comprehensive review of the whole SARS leadership by the Commissioner in terms of good governance, and further, in response to the report on the Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by SARS, the “Nugent Report”. 

The precautionary suspensions take effect immediately. It must be re-iterated, that these suspensions are precautionary in nature and as such do not amount to findings of any wrongdoing on their part. A determination in this regard will only be made on the finalization of the process. SARS requests that the privacy of the individuals concerned and the confidentiality of the employer–employee relationship be respected. SARS will not comment further on the matter until its concluded.

To access this page in different languages click on the links below:

PRETORIA, Tuesday, 30 July 2019 – To date, the response from South Africa has been great, with over 6 million logins, almost 1.3 million returns requested, and over 1 million returns submitted, of which 900 000 are for the 2019 tax year. 
 
By 29 July 2019, SARS had paid R5.5 Billion, with an average turn-around of 7 days for taxpayers that had not been selected for audits, and 21 days for those selected for audits. 
 
SARS also wishes to reiterate that when we opened the latest Filing Season on 1 July 2019, predominantly for electronic filing via its eFiling and Mobile Application platforms, the purpose was to make things easier for taxpayers.
 
In our endeavour to ensure a smooth service, while maintaining cyber security protocols and staying abreast of technology, various changes were introduced this tax filing season for taxpayer’s convenience. These include the following: 

• New security protocols:
• Use of one time pins to ensure secure login.
• User profile and portfolio clean-up.
• Structured security questions with client known data.
• Use of supported internet browsers, like Google Chrome and the phasing out of non-supported browsers such as Internet Explorer.
• Introduction of HTML5 technology:
• To replace the outdated ADOBE forms technology, which most browsers are closing down.
• Cater for visually impaired clients via software compatibility.
• Ease of use using browser and keyboard controls.
• An all new MobiApp:
• Caters for the full submission cycle, including audit and payments.
• Uploading supporting documents.
• Includes a chat bot, Lwazi, that can be interacted with to provide answers to Filing Season and Tax related questions.
• Call Centre interaction with call back capability.
• Self Service Username and Password functionality.
• eFiling registration capability.
• Newly refreshed eFiling site:
   New navigation functionality that puts more power in the hands of the user, for example, requirements like ‘forgotten username’ and ‘password reset’.
   Portfolio management and profile clean-up.
• Redesigned and dynamic Tax Risk Engine that drives specific supporting document requests.
• An efficient Case Selection Engine that matches and pre-populates third party data on tax returns.
• Legal changes, as introduced on an annual basis

Enhanced co-browsing to enable SARS call centre agents, to assist and guide taxpayers with return completion.

SARS has noted the dissatisfaction expressed by a few taxpayers over technical glitches encountered while trying to submit their tax returns.

SARS acknowledges that while many taxpayers have experienced a smooth service, some have experienced difficulties with logging in, not receiving one-time pins, the inability to upload supporting documents, data issues impacting filing, including assessments and tax calculator results.

SARS takes these issues very seriously, and all efforts have been made to resolve them expeditiously and minimize the impact on compliant taxpayers who want to fulfil their filing obligations. 

SARS would like to apologise for the inconvenience to the affected taxpayer, but wishes to emphasise that this is not the general rule.

The process for taxpayers below the income threshold, which was increased to R500 000, with income from one employer and no other deductions, who still want to submit returns, was further enhanced to allow seamless submission, by presenting a simulated tax calculation based on pre-populated third party which could simply be accepted.
 
To date, the response from South Africa has been great. In the event of any problems, taxpayers are urged to phone the SARS Contact Centre no. on 0800 00 7277 or email to webmaster@sars.gov.za. It is SARS’ commitment to resolve all enquiries urgently and speedily.

PRETORIA, Saturday 13 July 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to announce that there has been an increase of five percent in the uptake of eFiling in the first two weeks of Tax Season 2019.

As at yesterday (Friday 12 July), SARS had received over 456 000 personal income tax submissions via eFiling  compared to last year and over 36 600 submissions via the SARS MobiApp.

SARS has put in place Wi-Fi at its branches to convert taxpayers to these two revamped digital channels, eFiling and the SARS MobiApp, in an effort to further improve the uptake of these two digital channels.

SARS reminds taxpayers of the following Tax Season dates. SARS Branch submissions will be accepted between 01 August and 31 October, while eFilers and MobiApp users have until 04 December. 

SARS is aware that some taxpayers are experiencing challenges with the payment of refunds, and the inspection, verification or audit processes. SARS apologises for the inconvenience caused.

We would like to remind all taxpayers selected for either of these processes of our Service Charter commitment which is as follows:

If a current year’s refund is due to you and no other debt is due, all obligations have been met, SARS administrative control processes are adhered to and no inspection, verification or audit is required or has been initiated, we will endeavour to:

• Pay the current filing period’s refund, above R100, within 7 business days of finalising the final assessment.
• If you are selected for an inspection, verification or audit, we will endeavour to:
• Notify you that the return or declaration is subject to verification within 15 business days of submission, if your return is for the current filing period.
• Conclude verification within 21 business days from the date all required supporting documents are received, if your return is for the current filing period.
• Conclude an audit within 90 business days from the date all required supporting documents are received.

With regards to bank interest information, taxpayers need to note that Personal Income Tax Returns will only be pre-populated with this information from 2020. However, this information can be inserted manually for the 2019 tax year.

A number of fixes will be implemented this weekend which will address most of the feedback received from taxpayers.

SARS is working closely with tax practitioners through their Recognised Controlling Bodies (RCBs) and thanks these organisations for their co-operation in helping to deliver an excellent service to taxpayers.

To access this page in different languages click on the links below:

PRETORIA – Monday, 8 July 2019 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has noted the Sunday Times article about the SARS Commissioner, Mr. Edward Kieswetter in his role as Chair of the Technology Innovation Agency.

Mr. Kieswetter has responded to the journalist.

The Commissioner has further stated that matters between an employer and an employee are confidential and he continues to respect the relevant process under way with regard to this matter.

Mr. Kieswetter will allow this process to run its course and will abide by the outcome. In the meantime, he continues to focus on the very important role of running SARS.

To access this page in different languages click on the links below: