9 May 2006
Pretoria - Finance Minister Trevor Manuel today officially launched the
South African Revenue Service (SARS) Filing Season Campaign for 2006.
The deadline for South African taxpayers to submit their income tax returns
is Friday, 14 July 2006.
SARS will this year issue 5.3 million income tax returns to individuals,
businesses and trusts that are required by law to submit a return and declare
all income to SARS.
As with previous Filing Season campaigns, a highly visible and comprehensive
communications and marketing programme will be complemented by SARSâ efforts to
extend services to taxpayers through taxpayer education, outreach initiatives
and cooperative relationships with business organisations, trade unions and
professional organisations to obtain their support and participation.
The Minister today launched Filing Season 2006 at Barlow World Equipment,
one of South Africaâs big corporations in Isando where he addressed a wide
spectrum of employees.
An important component and service offering to taxpayers this year is an
electronic submission facility SARS will make available on 1 June 2006 for 2.7
million individuals. This service will for the first time be available for
individual taxpayers who earn a basic salary and allowances.
The electronic facility will have a range of benefits to taxpayers which
includes among other things convenience and accuracy with the submission and
capturing of personal information. Taxpayers will be able to submit returns
electronically without having to visit a SARS branch office. SARS will have a
dedicated helpline to assist taxpayers.
Filing Season 2006 will also be guided by the service charter commitments to
taxpayers SARS announced last year. In this regard SARS will endeavour to:
* Process and assess 80 percent of correctly completed and signed income tax
returns within 90 working days during peak periods (July to February)
* Process and asses correctly completed and signed income tax returns within
34 working days from the date of receipt in off peak periods (March to
June)
* Pay refunds due to the taxpayer within 30 working days from the date of
notification of the assessment outcome
* Courteous professional service at all times
* Providing clear, accurate and helpful responses to enquiries
* Be accessible
* Implement the principles of Batho Pele
The charter is also a statement of intent through which SARS undertakes to
uphold and respect the rights of taxpayers, to educate taxpayers about their
tax obligations and to positively influence the compliance climate in South
Africa by adhering to these service standards.
In turn, taxpayers are encouraged to declare all income and to prepare
motivating documents that can substantiate their claims. Taxpayers are reminded
to prepare the following documentation when submitting their:
* IRP five certificate from employer
* Medical aid statement
* Retirement annuity contribution certificate
* IT3(b) from financial institution
* All supporting documentation to substantiate claims
Enquiries:
Adrian Lackay
SARS Communication
Tel: (012) 422 4206
Cell: 083 388 2580
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
9 May 2006
