The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has reported a historic 13.8% climb in tax returns for the 2010/2011 tax year, with the total number of individual tax returns received going beyond the four million mark.
According to a media statement issued by SARS yesterday, the revenue body had received 4 010 980 tax returns for the recent tax year by last Thursday. “This number includes 3.86 million individuals and trusts who submitted their tax returns by the deadline of 25 November last year, as well as provisional taxpayers who have until midnight on 31 January to submit their returns electronically on eFiling.”
At the corresponding time for the 2010 tax season, SARS had received 3 523 707 returns, 487 273 less than this year. SARS says this year's figure is likely to grow even further as provisional taxpayers use eFiling until midnight tomorrow to submit their returns.
Kick-start
This follows a significant and unprecedented kick-start for SARS, which saw “early bird” taxpayers submitting 872 928 returns in the first month of tax season 2011. This translated into a 44% increase in taxpayer compliance compared to the previous year.
SARS said at the time that the significant increase in early filing reflected “a growing recognition among taxpayers of the benefits of filing early, honestly and electronically”.
Imminent deadline
With the cut-off time just around the corner, SARS says those taxpayers who submitted their returns via eFiling by 25 November last year, should take note that the final date for payment of any assessed tax liability is also tomorrow.
“Taxpayers, who after assessment have a tax liability, are granted until 31 January to make payment irrespective of when they submitted their returns. However, should they fail to make this payment by 31 January, interest is levied from the first due date, which is generally 30 days after submission.”
Taxpayers who are not sure if they have an outstanding payment can request an Income Tax Statement of Account via their eFiling profile. Taxpayers can also request a Statement of Account from the SARS call centre on 0800 00 7277.
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