The South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, says that while most taxpayers are honest and just want to get their tax affairs out of the way, there are still those who refuse to pay.
Edward Kieswetter said that SARS data showed that “tax morality” in the country is increasing, which is slowly translating to increased tax compliance.
Kieswetter pointed out that the revenue collectors’ results were better than expected in 2020, which he attributed to an improved economy combined with improved revenue from compliance activities of more than 30%.
He said that this being done through a combination of SARS building more confidence in the public as well as a very active and focused compliance programme.
He also said that if someone has not submitted a return, SARS will prompt them “gently”.
He said that if someone has not submitted a return then SARS will prompt them ‘gently’.
“Our engagement will always be friendly initially, and if you persist then we will obviously use the other instruments in law that is available to us.”
Kieswetter also said that more announcements will be made surrounding SARS’s plans to target those non-compliant taxpayers in coming months.
SARS has announced the opening of the tax filing season for individual taxpayers which will run from 1 July to 23 November.
Sources: Business Tech
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