Pretoria, Tuesday, 30 January 2018 — The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is this week host to a global seminar on strengthening the fight against tax evasion. 

The seminar is hosted jointly with the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes, and the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF).  It brings together global tax experts, predominantly from developing countries, to share insights and lessons on issues of beneficial ownership and exchange of information on tax matters. The seminar is part of a global effort to ensure that participating tax authorities have the tools needed to adequately tackle tax evasion.

Throughout the world, tax authorities are facing immense challenges to collect national revenues and ensuring that everyone pays their rightful taxes in the prevailing global economic climate. In such a globalised world, it has become increasingly important for tax authorities to collaborate by sharing information.

Tax evasion negatively impacts on the development agenda and fiscal space of virtually every country in the world, and the absence of crucial information about who ultimately owns and controls companies and other legal entities is a factor that enables tax evasion and money laundering, amongst others. In specific cases, this lack of information about ownership and control has enabled the illicit flow of funds from all countries, but particularly from the developing world.

Tax transparency and exchange of information among tax authorities on the activities of their taxpayers are valuable tools in this fight. They allow tax authorities to obtain information about taxpayers in cases where the revenue authorities might not have been aware of specific (and questionable) cross-border financial transactions.

South Africa has committed itself to the automatic exchange of tax information with revenue authorities of over 50 jurisdictions under the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

The seminar runs from 29 January to 2 February in Pretoria.

Erratum: Individual Provisional Taxpayers are required to submit their annual income tax returns (ITR12) today, 31 January 2018 and not their IRP6 return as was communicated yesterday.  We apologise for the error.

PRETORIA, 30 January 2018 – Provisional taxpayers have until 31 January to file their income tax returns (IRP6) through eFiling. 

A provisional taxpayer is any person who receives income, or to whom income accrues, other than a salary. This includes persons who receive rental income from a property, taxable interest income from investments or other income from a trade.

Taxpayers are reminded that channels such as the SARS mobisite, available at  www.sarsefiling.mobi, are available for easy filing via one’s mobile device.  Late submission will attract penalties. 

Payment deadline

As a separate matter, the deadline of 31 January also applies to payments from individual taxpayers who filed personal income tax returns last year and were assessed to owe SARS money. 

While harsh penalties and interest apply to late payments on the other hand, taxpayers in financial difficulty can approach SARS to defer payment or pay in instalments within qualifying criteria.

Taxpayers who wish to make payment arrangements must go to their nearest SARS branch or call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.

Three main payment channels are available, including eFiling, via a bank or EFT. SARS branches do not accept payments, whether cash or cheque.

Pretoria, 31 January 2018 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) reminds individual provisional taxpayers that 31 January 2018 is the deadline for individual provisional taxpayers to submit their annual income tax returns (ITR12) through eFiling.  Late submission could lead to penalties being charged.

A provisional taxpayer is any person who receives income, or to whom income accrues, other than a salary.  This includes persons who receive rental income from a property, taxable interest income from investments or other income from a trade.

Taxpayers are reminded that channels such as the SARS mobisite, available at  www.sarsefiling.mobi, are available for easy filing via one’s mobile device.  For assistance with the submission of a return via eFiling, taxpayers can call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.

Payment deadline for taxpayers

Today is also one of the important payment deadlines for individual taxpayers who filed their income tax returns last year and received an assessment showing that they owe SARS money.

Midnight is also the cut-off after which interest will be incurred.

Payments can conveniently be made through eFiling or electronic funds transfer (EFT). For EFT payments the standard drop-down list of beneficiary IDs should be used. Payments can also be made over the counter at a bank.

Taxpayers are reminded that no cash payments are accepted at SARS branches.

Payment arrangements

Taxpayers in financial difficulty can approach SARS to defer payment or pay in instalments within qualifying criteria. Taxpayers should bear in mind that they will have to discuss their financial position honestly and openly with SARS.

For more information on payments, taxpayers can call the SARS contact centre on 0800 00 7277 or visit a SARS branch.