- Urgent notice to taxpayers and tax practitioners – 14 January 2009
Wednesday 14 January 2009 — Many taxpayers in the country have again waited for the last 2 weeks of the Tax Season to submit their income tax returns to SARS
- Seizure of illicit goods – 15 January 2009
Pretoria, 15 January 2009 — A joint operation today between Customs officers from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and investigators from the Department of Environmental Affairs (the “Green Scorpions”) in Gauteng uncovered various illicit goods and smuggling networks
- Joint Media Statement by the South African Revenue Service and the Banking Association of South Africa – 29 January 2009
SARS and the Banking Association of South Africa today signed an Accord that establishes a framework for co-operation between the parties in order to improve levels of tax compliance, discourage impermissible tax avoidance arrangements and enhance service
- South African Trade Statistics for December 2008 – 30 January 2009
Trade deficit decreases in December 2008 from R12.1 billion to R9.0 billion mainly due to a month-on-month reduced imports of machinery, base metals, vehicles and motor vehicle parts, and a month-on-month increase in exports of precious metals and stones, and vegetable products.
- Reporting South African Trade Statistics – 2 February 2009
Pretoria, 2 February 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) recognizes the apparent anomaly in the monthly reported trade statistics. We thank all those who brought this matter to our attention.
- Special Announcement: Revised South African Trade Statistics for the calendar year 2008 – 4 February 2009
Pretoria, 4 February: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced on Monday 2 February 2009 that it would issue a revised report on trade statistics on Wednesday 4 February 2009. This revised statement clarifies the treatment of temporary imports of gold for the purpose of refining into South Africa.
- SARS cautions taxpayers on fraud scams – 9 February 2009
Pretoria, 9 February 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) would like to caution taxpayers against a number of scams currently underway which seek to defraud taxpayers of money or to obtain their bank and other personal details
- 17 February 2009 – Special Task Team formed to tackle trafficking of contraband through airports – 17 February 2009
17 February 2009 – Special Task Team formed to tackle trafficking of contraband through airports
- SARS busts VAT fraud syndicate – 17 February 2009
Pretoria, 17 February 2009 — Another VAT refund fraud scam was uncovered with the arrest in Kimberley yesterday16 February 2009 of five Ivory Coast nationals for their alleged in involvement in a syndicate.
- SARS reminds taxpayers with car allowances to record their odometer readings – 26 February 2009
Pretoria, 26 February 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) would like to remind all taxpayers who receive a car allowance to record their odometer readings on Saturday 28 February 2009.
- South African Trade Statistics for January 2009 – 27 February 2009
Pretoria, 27 February 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2009 that record a trade deficit of R17.4 billion.
SARS and the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) have agreed on a methodology on the calculation and publication of the trade statistics with regards to the temporary importation of gold. For the sake of clarity SARS and the SARB have agreed to publish trade data without temporary imported gold being reflected.
- SARS simplifies tax system for small businesses with launch of Turnover Tax – 4 March 2009
Pretoria, 4 March 2009 – In an effort to cut red tape and reduce the administrative burden on small businesses, the South African Revenue Service has launched an exciting new tax system which will dramatically lower the time and cost of submitting tax returns
- Arrangements for the 2008/09 financial year-end – 5 March 2009
Pretoria, 5 March 2009 — The 2008/09 financial year for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) ends on 31 March 2009
- Tax Season 2009: SARS releases draft income tax forms for public comment – 9 March 2009
Pretoria 9 March 2009 – As part of our on-going consultation process to improve our service, SARS today released draft versions of all income tax forms for the 2009 Tax Season for comment and feedback from taxpayers and practitioners.
- Announcing the preliminary outcome of revenue collection for the 2008/09 financial year – 27 March 2009
Pretoria, 27 March 2009 – Please be advised that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Trevor A. Manuel, will on Wednesday 1 April 2009, around midday announce the preliminary outcome of revenue collection figures of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
- SARS announces abolition of Stamp Duty – 31 March 2009
PRETORIA 31 March 2009 – The South African Revenue Service is pleased to announce the abolition of the Stamp Duty Act (77 of 1968) with effect from midnight on 31 March 2009.
- South African Trade Statistics for February 2009 – 31 March 2009
Pretoria, 31 March 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics and RECORDED A DECREASE IN THE TRADE DEFICIT FROM R17.4 BILLION IN JANUARY 2009 TO A TRADE DEFICIT OF R571 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 2009.
- Media Statement by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Trevor A. Manuel, MP, on the Prelimanry Revenue Results for the Fiscal Year 2008/2009 – 1 April 2009
PRETORIA, 1 APRIL 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) collected R625.57 billion by midnight on Tuesday 31 March 2009. The preliminary result is 0.34% below the revised February 2009 Budget estimate of R627.69 billion. This represents a 9.2% growth in revenue collection over 2008.
- Media Statement: Appointment of new Deputy Commissioners – 20 April 2009
Media Statement: Appointment of new Deputy Commissioners
- South African Trade Statistics for March 2009 – 30 April 2009
Pretoria, 30 April 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for March 2009 that records a trade deficit of R 512 million.
- Fire at Germiston Branch Office – 6 May 2009
Pretoria, 6 May 2009 — At approximately 6.20 am this morning a fire was reported at the SARS branch office in Germiston on the East Rand
- Appointment of Acting SARS Commissioner – 11 May 2009
Pretoria, 11 May 2009 – Mr. Oupa Magashula will assume the duty as Acting SARS Commissioner from 3pm today.
- Only two weeks left for Employers to submit 2009 PAYE reconciliations – 18 May 2009
Only two weeks left for Employers to submit 2009 PAYE reconciliations
- SARS Service Monitoring Office call centre affected by telephone line failure in Hatfield, Pretoria – 20 May 2009
Pretoria, 20 May 2009 – The South African Revenue Service would like to alert taxpayers who have been frustrated over the past few days in their efforts to contact the SARS Service Monitoring Office (SSMO) that their failure to reach the SSMO is due to severed telephone lines in Hatfield.
- Extended hours as Employer Filing Season deadline approaches. – 27 May 2009
Pretoria 27 May 2009 -The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will be extending its business hours at all its branches to assist with the increase in Employers submitting their payroll records ahead of the 30 May deadline. From today, SARS branches will remain open till 6pm daily and from 8am to 1pm on Saturday 30 May.
- SARS Media Release: South African Trade Statistics for April 2009 – 29 May 2009
Pretoria, 29 May 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2009 that records a trade deficit of R 1.5 billion.
- SARS to introduce streamlining measures for imported goods – 9 June 2009
Pretoria 09 June 2009 – South African Revenue Service Acting Commissioner, Oupa Magashula will address the second Annual Congress of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) at Emperors Palace tomorrow, 10 June 2009 at 10:00 am.
- JOINT MEDIA RELEASE – JOINT INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD AND IMPROPRIETY IN INVESTMENT STRUCTURE – 14 June 2009
PRETORIA, 14 June 2009 – An urgent meeting of South African law enforcement agencies was concluded on Friday, 12 June 2009, to co-ordinate their efforts, clarify their terms of reference and decide on a plan of action for a high level investigation into serious allegations including possible fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and foreign exchange control violation against Mr. Barry Tannenbaum and associated entities.
- SARS Customs seizes R3.6million worth of Ephedrine – 15 June 2009
Pretoria, 12 June 2009 – SARS Customs today seized Ephedrine with a street value of R3, 6 million at OR Tambo International this morning. Ephedrine is regarded as the base for most narcotics and is utilised frequently in the manufacturing of Mandrax. The shipment had arrived from Sao Paulo.
- SARS briefing to the SCOF in Parliament – 22 June 2009
Pretoria, 22 June 2009 — Please be advised that the Acting SARS Commissioner, Mr. Oupa G. Magashula, and members of the SARS Executive, will tomorrow, 23 June 2009, brief the Standing Committee on Finance on the SARS Strategic Plan for 2009/10.
- Penalty letters to employers – 25 June 2009
25 June 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has since yesterday issued penalty letters to about 7 000 employers in the country who failed to submit their payroll information to SARS by this year’s deadline of 31 May.
- SARS Media Release: South African Trade Statistics for May 2009 – 30 June 2009
Pretoria, 30 June 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for May 2009 that records a trade surplus of R 2.0 billion.
- SARS Media Release – Launch of Tax Season 2009 for South African Taxpayers – 1 July 2009
Pretoria 1 July 2009 – Today marks the start of the 2009 Tax Season with the opening of the filing period for income tax returns for millions of South Africa’s individual taxpayers and trusts.
From today these taxpayers can begin to submit their income tax returns to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) electronically, or request SARS to issue them with a customised, pre-populated tax return (the paper version) for manual submission.
- SARS Customs ends a strong week with R57 million narcotics bust at ORTIA – 17 July 2009
Pretoria 17 July 2009 – Customs officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Border Control Unit today made a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking when they seized a large quantity of chemicals that are used in the manufacturing of narcotic substances.
- SARS Customs operations yields narcotics bust of R50 million at ORTIA – 18 July 2009
Pretoria 18 July 2009 – Customs officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Border Control Unit today made yet another considerable contribution towards the countries fight against drug trafficking with the seizure of large quantities of chemicals and that are used in the manufacturing of designer drugs.
- Appointment of a new Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service – 30 July 2009
Cabinet today announced the appointment of Mr. Oupa Magashula (47) as the new SARS Commissioner. Magashula has been the Acting SARS Commissioner since 12 May 2009 when Mr. Pravin Gordhan was appointed as South Africa’s new Minister of Finance.
- South African Trade Statistics for June 2009 – 31 July 2009
Pretoria, 31 July 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for June 2009 that record a trade surplus of R3.2 billion.
- Well-known business man arrested for suspected tax fraud – 27 August 2009
Pretoria,27 August 2009 – The SA Police Services Commercial Crime Unit in Welkom yesterday arrested a well-known business man from the Welkom mining industry in connection with suspected tax fraud of R20 million.
- SARS Customs seizes R32 million worth of counterfeit goods and narcotics – 28 August 2009
Pretoria, 28 August 2009 – South African Revenue Services (SARS) Customs yesterday seized 25kg of pure heroine at the OR Tambo International Airport. The narcotics with an estimated street value of R25 million, were declared as a “green coffee extract” and arrived on a cargo flight from India for local consumption.
- South African Trade Statistics for July 2009 – 31 August 2009
Pretoria, 31 August 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for July 2009 that record a trade surplus of R0.4 billion.
- SARS Responding to industrial action – 6 September 2009
Pretoria, 6 September 2009 – SARS met with the negotiating teams from the National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) and the Public Service Association (PSA) at the National Bargaining Forum (NBF) on Saturday and Sunday and tabled a revised wage offer.
- SARS reporting on the Impact of Industrial Action – 7 September 2009
Pretoria, 07 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) can confirm that despite today’s industrial action, all offices across the country remained operational and open for business.
- No revision of SARS wage offer – 8 September 2009
Pretoria, 8 September 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will not make any further concessions to the current wage offer that was tabled to labour unions the past weekend.
- SARS Update on Industrial Action – 9 September 2009
Pretoria, 9 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has evaluated the impact of the 3rd day of industrial action on its operations and can confirms that close to 80% of SARS personnel reported today for duty.
- Bruma Lake counterfeit DVD bust nets three suspects – 9 September 2009
Pretoria 08 September 2009 – Three Pakistani nationals have been arrested for trading in counterfeit DVDs with an estimated street value of R7 million.
- Update on Tax Season 2009 – 16 September 2009
Pretoria, 16 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has received more than 1.5 million tax returns since the filing period for Tax Season 2009 opened on 1 July this year
- Wage Settlement with Unions – 16 September 2009
Pretoria, 16 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the two public sector unions – Nehawu and the PSA – this afternoon concluded a wage settlement agreement at the National Bargaining Forum (NBF).
- SARS Customs seizes marijuana destined for the United Kingdom in Durban – 16 September 2009
Durban, 16 September 2009 – SARS Customs officials stationed at the Durban Mail Centre made a successful seizure of compressed marijuana on Monday. The narcotics weighing 23,8kg, with a street value of R57 000 was destined for the United Kingdom.
- SARS Customs Durban raids detain 400 tons of goods – 25 September 2009
Durban, 25 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs ended three days of intensive raids in Durban targeting non compliance to the Customs and Excise Act.
- SARS Media Release – South African Trade Statistics for August 2009 – 30 September 2009
Pretoria, 30 September 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for August 2009 that record a trade deficit of R1.98 billion.
- SARS to apply strict new penalties for outstanding tax returns – 14 October 2009
Johannesburg 14 October 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will introduce a system of strict new administrative penalties against non-compliant taxpayers from 23 November 2009
- SARS Customs Cape Town Clothing and Textile enforcement interventions – 19 October 2009
Pretoria, October 16 2009 – SARS Customs concluded three days of successful enforcement operations on Wednesday 14 October 2009, targeting non compliance with the Customs and Excise Act.
- South African Revenue Service would like to caution taxpayers against a new refund phishing scam – 21 October 2009
South African Revenue Service would like to caution taxpayers against a new refund phishing scam
- Phasing out of cash payments at SARS branches – 30 October 2009
Pretoria, 30 October 2009 – Starting on 01 November 2009, the South African Revenue Service is to phase out the receipt of cash at some of its branch offices
- South African Trade Statistics for September 2009 – 30 October 2009
Pretoria, 30 October 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for September 2009 that record a trade surplus of R3.9 billion.
- Release of the Draft Customs Control Bill and Draft Customs Duty Bill for Public Comment – 30 October 2009
Pretoria, 30 October 2009 – Today marks a significant milestone in the ongoing modernisation programme of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) with the release for public comment by 26 February 2010 of a new legislative framework relating to the customs control over people and goods moving across the borders of the Republic and the imposition, assessment and collection of customs duties.
- Release of the Draft Tax Administration Bill for Public Comment – 30 October 2009
Pretoria, 30 October 2009 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases the draft Tax Administration Bill (the TAB) for a first round of public comment by 26 February 2010.
- The Mutual Administration Assistance Agreement in Customs matters signed between Republic of South Africa and Canada – 2 November 2009
Pretoria,30 October 2009 – An Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of South Africa and Canada regarding Mutual Assistance between their Customs Administrations was signed today, Friday, 30 October 2009 by South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Canadian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ms Adéle Dion.
- SARS will not extend 20 November 2009 Tax Season deadline – 11 November 2009
Pretoria, Wednesday 11 November 2009 – The South African Revenue Service has received a number of requests from tax practitioners and their representative associations for an extension to this year’s Tax Season deadline.
- Office hours extended ahead of Tax Season deadline – 16 November 2009
Office hours extended ahead of Tax Season deadline
Pretoria, 16 November 2009 – The South African Revenue Service will from today, Monday 16 November 2009 extend its hours of operation at all branch offices to assist taxpayers trying to meet the 20 November deadline for the electronic submission of tax returns.
- New Operational procedures for 2009 Tax Season Deadline Week – 17 November 2009
Pretoria, 17 November 2009 – Branch offices of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have since yesterday experienced very high volumes in the number of taxpayers who require assistance in filing their income tax returns.
- South Africa to chair new African tax forum – 19 November 2009
Kampala, Uganda, 19 November 2009 – The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service, Mr Oupa Magashula, was elected unanimously today as the chairperson of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) at its inaugural conference in Kampala, Uganda.
- Tax Season 2009 sets phenomenal new records! – 27 November 2009
Pretoria, 27 November 2009 – By the Tax Season deadline on Friday 20 November 2009, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) had received a remarkable, new record number of over 4 million returns for individuals and trusts that were submitted, exceeding the 2008 filing experience by a some 800 000 or 26%!
- South African Trade Statistics for October 2009 – 30 November 2009
Pretoria, 30 November 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2009 that record a trade deficit of R6.7 billion.
- South African Trade Statistics for November 2009 – 30 December 2009
Pretoria, 30 December 2009 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for November 2009 that record a trade deficit of R2.5 billion.
