South African Revenue Services (SARS) says a new record has been set for the number of taxpayers who submitted returns in the first month of tax season.
“Early bird taxpayers have exceeded all expectations and set a new record by submitting 872 928 returns to SARS in the first month of tax season 2011.”
The revenue service says this is 266 384 more than the 606 544 returns that were submitted during the same period last year, representing a 44% increase in taxpayer compliance.
So far, SARS branches have assisted 290 106 taxpayers to file their returns (33.2%) while 567 952 returns (65.1%) have been submitted via eFiling. Only 14 871 returns (1.7%) were submitted by post or drop box.
Quick calls
SARS says its contact centre fielded close to 743 000 calls during July, with the highest number of calls on one day being 42 733 calls on Monday, 25 July.
“During July 2010, the SARS contact centre fielded about 588 000 calls, which means an increase of 155 000 calls during July 2011.”
It adds that the contact centre resolved 94% of the 743 000 calls on first interaction.
”SARS believes the significant increase in early filing reflects a growing recognition among taxpayers of the benefits of filing early, honestly and electronically.”
It says that among the benefits of early and electronic submission is the rapid payment of refunds to those who are due rebates. It has paid out close to R2.6 billion in refunds to individual taxpayers so far this tax season, with over 80% being paid into taxpayers' bank accounts within 48 hours of submission.
The average time to receive an assessment is less than 24 hours after electronic submission.
Extended assistance
To assist taxpayers in the compliance drive, all SARS branches will be open from 07h30 to 18h00, which is an extension of two-and-a-half hours per day, says the service.
”In addition, the following branches will be open on Saturdays as from 13 August from 08h00 to 13h00 (for the submission of income tax returns only): Bellville, Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth, George, Durban, Umtata, Pretoria, Randburg, Rissik Street (Johannesburg), Roodepoort.”
SARS will also activate a number of service points at selected shopping malls across the country to assist taxpayers to submit their returns.
Taxpayers who use eFiling or go to SARS's branches where consultants capture their returns digitally, have until Friday, 25 November, to submit.
Provisional taxpayers who file via eFiling have until Tuesday, 31 January 2012, to submit returns.
Taxpayers who need assistance can call the SARS contact centre on 0800 00 7277.
Share