28 November 2007
Taxpayers and tax practitioners have overwhelmingly embraced the new income
tax assessment process introduced this year to simplify and ease the burden of
tax compliance.
At the end of 31 October 2007 deadline, 3,2 million taxpayers had filed
their tax returns. This is a 20 percent increase on last year and the first
time we pass the three million returns mark.
Tax returns for the current year (2007) numbered more than 2,3 million, an
increase of six percent; and is another record. The filing of outstanding
returns also reached record numbers with 872 000 returns filed.
The biggest success story of the 2007 filing season campaign so far had been
the uptake of South African Revenue Service (SARS) eFiling. We are encouraged
by the rate at which taxpayers and practitioners have adopted electronic filing
with more than 940 000 returns having been issued via eFiling and already more
than 250 000 filed. This is an increase of 600 percent on last year.
SARS still expects about one million tax returns to be filed this season.
This can only be done via SARS eFiling and must be done by 31 January 2008.
Taxpayers who have not yet registered for eFiling should do so at
www.sarsefiling.co.za before the end of the year as we are anticipating very
high network and call centre volumes during January as taxpayers rush to meet
the deadline. Ideally people should at least register for eFiling now even if
they opt to file later.
With regard to the processing of returns, SARS would like to advise that
where the information supplied by taxpayers matches the information in SARS's
possession, taxpayers can expect reduced turnaround times in receiving their
assessment and, where applicable, refunds. However, where the information does
not correlate, SARS will investigate further, including requesting that
taxpayers submit copies of their supporting documents for review.
SARS has also introduced two new forms to speed up and simplify the
objection process. The first, a Request for Correction, is completed by
taxpayers who have made an error on their return or believe SARS to have made
an error. The second form, a Notice of Objection, is used when the information
is accurate but the taxpayer disputes SARS's assessment. Both these forms are
available for download from www.sarsefiling.co.za and can be mailed to SARS or
dropped off at the nearest branch.
As we continue to roll out the new assessment process and are getting better
at providing better service to taxpayers, we are acutely aware of the important
role employers have in this tax administration process. The provision
information about employees accurately, timeously and electronically to SARS is
vital in offering honest taxpayers with the best response time.
We will be engaging with employers over the coming months to work out
systems and procedures to streamline relations with SARS especially where the
provision of taxpayer data is concerned for both this year and preparations for
next year.
Issued by: South African Revenue Services
28 November 2007
Source: South African Revenue Services (http://www.sars.gov.za)
