Taxpayers urged to avoid last minute rush

Pretoria, 1 November 2017 – Non-provisional taxpayers have 24 days to file their tax returns before Tax Season officially closes for this category of taxpayers on Friday, 24 November 2017. 

This applies to whether non-provisional taxpayers file via a branch or via eFiling. For provisional taxpayers who submit via eFiling, tax season runs until 31 January 2018. 

While branches operate between 08:00 to 16:00 during the week, SARS tax consultants will ensure that all taxpayers are assisted with their tax returns. 

Taxpayers filing their tax returns at a branch can expect an average queue time of 78 minutes, and an average service time of 8 minutes.

Taxpayers are reminded that eFiling is the easiest and quickest way to file one’s tax return and is available 24 hours.

The number of income tax returns received to date has increased to 4 561 877 million. A total of 52.50% were filed at a branch; 47.20% via eFiling, and a very small percentage (0.30%) has been filed manually via post so far.

SARS would like to urge taxpayers to comply with their fiscal responsibility by their income tax returns as well as any outstanding returns to avoid penalties and interest.