28 June 2006
Durban - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) in KwaZulu-Natal today
extended its taxpayer services to one of the biggest employers in the province
and the country to assist workers and encourage them to submit their returns
before the 14 July 2006 deadline.
SARS officials visited the Isipingo plant of the Toyota South Africa south
of Durban to conduct taxpayer education through an industrial theatre
presentation and to assist blue collar workers to submit their returns.
SARS has a dedicated service point on site where any Toyota employee can ask
for advice, assistance, submit a return or register as a taxpayer for the first
time.
In this way Toyota South Africa is setting an example of good corporate
citizenship to their peers by recognising the importance of their employees to
be informed about tax and more importantly, to be tax compliant. The company
employs some 9 500 people at the Isipingo plant of which more than 90 percent
earn more than R60,000 per annum and are therefore eligible to register as
taxpayers.
SARS has conducted similar outreach activities at 51 other workplaces in the
province and will continue to extend its services to shopping centres and other
public places over weekends. More than 15 000 income tax returns have been
captured through these extended service offerings in the province.
To date 87 137 KwaZulu-Natal taxpayers have submitted their returns which is
slightly below last yearâs comparative filing season figure of 99 487.
SARS must reiterate its call to South African taxpayers to submit their
returns as soon as possible before the 14 July deadline to avoid long queues
and the last minute rush to SARS offices. Less than one million returns have
been received at SARS branch offices throughout the country thus far.
For taxpayer convenience the electronic submission facility (e-filing)
remains an alternative for individuals who have internet access. Growth in the
number of e-filing registrations remains strong at 21 672 with more than 6 000
returns already submitted.
Taxpayers who want to make use of the electronic submission facility:
* must have access to the internet (employers are encouraged to make such
internet facilities available to employees),
* must first register for the service on the website, (http://www.sarsefiling.co.za/)
* agree to the terms and conditions for use of this service,
* be in receipt of an IT 12S or IT 12SS income tax return,
* receive income that consists of a basic salary or basic salary plus
allowances.
Taxpayers who choose to file their returns manually are reminded to prepare
the following documentation when submitting their return:
* IRP 5 Certificate from employer,
* Medical Aid Statement,
* Retirement Annuity Contribution Certificate,
* IT3(b) from financial institution,
* All supporting documentation to substantiate claims.
Taxpayers with general filing season enquiries can contact the SARS call
centre at 0860 1212 18. For technical queries regarding e-filing the helpline
0860 709 709 is available.
For Further enquiries please contact:
Adrian Lackay
SARS Communications
Cell: 083 388 2580
Issued by: South African Revenue Services (SARS)
28 June 2006
