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