More than 2.7 million taxpayers have submitted their tax returns since the opening of tax season in July 2017, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) said on Tuesday.
“SARS wishes to thank all 2 794 952 taxpayers who have submitted their returns timeously. This is an increase of 3.6% compared to last year’s figure this time. As at 1pm today, SARS had already received 18 017 tax returns for this morning alone,” said the revenue service.
By Monday, SARS had paid over R62.1 billion in refunds to taxpayers. Of this amount, R49.8 billion in VAT refunds was disbursed and R12.3 billion in Personal Income Tax refunds.
The SARS contact centre to date has handled 1.69 million calls of which 324 651 have been call-back and help-you-eFile requests.
As at the start of Tax Season to date, 49.28% of taxpayers have used the SARS eFiling channel to file their returns while 50.9% filed at a branch.
Over 2.5 million taxpayers have visited a SARS branch countrywide as of 1 July 2017.
SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane also expressed appreciation to taxpayers and the team of over 14 000 SARS employees committed to providing excellent service.
“As SARS we are thankful for the level of compliance amongst taxpayers, who make it possible for the State to carry out its mandate. Also, we are proud of the passion, commitment and dedication displayed by SARS employees to provide excellent service throughout the country,” he said.
Commissioner Moyane also reminded taxpayers that efiling is the quickest and easiest method of meeting one’s tax obligation.
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba launched this year’s tax season at the Orlando East branch in Soweto on 3 July. It was the first time that this was done in a township in the 20 years of SARS’ existence.
Documents for tax filing
Taxpayers, who are yet to file their returns, must have the following documents ready when visiting a branch:
Your banking particulars
Your IRP5/IT3(a) certificate(s)
Certificates [IT3(b)] that you received for any investment income
Details of medical expenses paid by you and not covered by your medical scheme
Medical aid certificate for details of medical aid contributions made that do not appear on your IRP5/IT3(a) certificate(s)
Completed confirmation of diagnosis of disability form (ITR-DD), if applicable
Information about your retirement annuity contributions
Details of business travel (if you received a travel allowance or want to claim against a fringe benefit for an employer provided vehicle)
Information about foreign tax credits withheld
Financial statements, if applicable e.g. business income
Any other relevant material relating to income you received or deductions you want to claim.
Contact Centre
Taxpayers can opt to contact the SARS contact centre to resolve any tax queries or to obtain any tax information they may require, instead of travelling to a branch. The SARS contact centre can also assist taxpayers to register on efiling and submit a tax return online. The Contact Centre can be reached on 0800 00 7277.
SARS eFiling MobiSite
The SARS eFiling MobiSite allows taxpayers to file their individual Income Tax Return (ITR12) via eFiling from their mobile phone’s Internet browser. Once in the internet browser, enter the address https://sarsefiling.mobi to access the SARS eFiling MobiSite. The site is configured with software that can be used by blind and partially-sighted taxpayers.
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