The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said on Monday that it paid out “an astounding R15.5-billion in tax refunds” to 1.98-million taxpayers end of Tax Season.
It also said that it has “imposed penalties to the value of R1.64-billion on defaulting taxpayers” by the season deadline for non-provisional taxpayers last Friday.
“Taxpayers that have not submitted their returns are urged to do so immediately‚” spokesperson Sandile Memela said.
Other statistics released by SARS include:
- SARS received 5.74-million returns by the close of tax season;
- 4.16 -million submissions by individuals for the 2015/16 tax year;
- 47 000 submissions by trusts for 2015/16 tax year;
- 1.52 million returns for previous tax years from individuals and trusts;
- The SARS Contact Centre handled more than 3.6-million calls;
- The SARS branch offices assisted more than 5.1-million taxpayers;
- SARS processed 99.9% of all returns electronically;
- 92.4% of tax returns were assessed within three seconds;
- 93.28% of refunds were paid to taxpayers within 72 hours;
- 173 000 taxpayers made use of the Help You e-File channel which is 15% higher than in 2015; and
- 44 373 made use SARS’ mobile application to submit their 2016 tax returns. — TMG Digital
By the numbers: SARS Tax Season
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said on Monday that it paid out “an astounding R15.5-billion in tax refunds” to 1.98-million taxpayers end of Tax Season.
It also said that it has “imposed penalties to the value of R1.64-billion on defaulting taxpayers” by the season deadline for non-provisional taxpayers last Friday.
“Taxpayers that have not submitted their returns are urged to do so immediately‚” spokesperson Sandile Memela said.
Other statistics released by SARS include:
- SARS received 5.74-million returns by the close of tax season;
- 4.16 -million submissions by individuals for the 2015/16 tax year;
- 47 000 submissions by trusts for 2015/16 tax year;
- 1.52 million returns for previous tax years from individuals and trusts;
- The SARS Contact Centre handled more than 3.6-million calls;
- The SARS branch offices assisted more than 5.1-million taxpayers;
- SARS processed 99.9% of all returns electronically;
- 92.4% of tax returns were assessed within three seconds;
- 93.28% of refunds were paid to taxpayers within 72 hours;
- 173 000 taxpayers made use of the Help You e-File channel which is 15% higher than in 2015; and
- 44 373 made use SARS’ mobile application to submit their 2016 tax returns. — TMG Digital