6 August 2007
Pretoria: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today made available its
income tax eFiling facility to a targeted group of taxpayers to receive
feedback on their experience of the electronic submission facility. We then
opened the facility to a larger pool of taxpayers in order to test the
robustness the system. It was planned that the facility would be opened to all
taxpayers who wanted to file electronically.
This phased approach was adopted to ensure an acceptable quality of service
to SARS e-filers. We are pleased that the eFiling system for income tax worked
in the limited testing environment and that taxpayers had a good experience.
However, when we opened the facility to a wider pool of taxpayers, we received
feedback of performance problems with the system. SARS is now doing further
work and more tests to the internet system to eradicate the problems
experienced by our early income tax eFilers. We prefer to attend to these
issues before opening the eFiling facility for wider use and to ensure the best
possible product for taxpayers.
SARS therefore regrets to announce that the eFiling channel for individual
tax returns will now only be available next week. The normal eFiling facility
for companies including VAT and PAYE is unaffected and these services continue
as normal. The option to download and complete the new IT12S and IT12C income
tax returns via the SARS eFiling website in adobe format also continues to be
available to taxpayers in the same way as when it was launched on 1 August
2007.
Meanwhile it is important to note that all the other channels of filing
returns are available to taxpayers. These include:
* posting manually completed returns in the free envelopes SARS supplied
with the returns
* dropping completed returns at any SARS branch or post office
* adobe forms can be downloaded from http://www.sarsefiling.co.za, completed
electronically, printed and posted or dropped off
* taxpayers can come to SARS offices and be assisted to complete and submit
their forms electronically
* taxpayers may also complete the adobe forms and save it in order to submit it
via the internet when the functionality becomes available next week.
SARS has a track record for setting high and efficient service standards in
its operations. We are therefore not prepared to offer any service where we are
not happy with the quality and cannot guarantee a pleasant experience for all
taxpayers. We expect the eFiling facility to be functional next week.
Enquiries:
Adrian Lackay
Tel: 012 422 4206
Cell: 083 388 2580
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
6 August 2007
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
