Month: April 2023

4 April 2023 – The Minister of Finance announced in the 2022 Budget on 23 February 2022 that excise duty on vaping tobacco products would be introduced. Nicotine and nicotine-substitute solutions in vaping products will be included in the tax net with a flat excise duty rate of R2.90/ml from 1 June 2023.

The forms DA260 Excise Account for Tobacco Products in which the vaping products will be accounted for excise duty purposes were also amended accordingly to insert the vaping products. Manufacturers of these products are therefore required to apply for and obtain licenses for their manufacturing premises in respect of such products with SARS before 1 June 2023 and to submit their first excise duty account by 28 July 2023. Special storage warehouses in respect of such products should similarly be licensed with SARS before 1 June 2023. For more information, see the letter to Traders.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Taxing of Vaping Tobacco products with effect from 1 June 2023

3 April 2023 – Achieving our Vision 2024 of a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired is of paramount importance. Pivotal to the delivery of our vision are our digital platforms & technology infrastructure. In order to provide clarity & certainty, make it easy for taxpayers & traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets have to demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.

Pursuant to our Vision and Strategic Objectives, which include modernising our systems to provide Digital and Streamlined online services, we are hard at work ensuring that our digital platforms & technology infrastructure are available, robust & secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements and maintenance.

In the light of the above, system upgrades are scheduled for Tuesday, 4 April from 18:00 until 23:00. During this time various services on eFiling may not be available.

Source: SARS Tariffs
eFiling upgrade message

3 April 2023 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to announce its preliminary revenue collection results for the 2022/2023 financial year, which reflects a significant growth trajectory over the past few years.

The revenue collected annually provides 90% of government funding, which indicates SARS’ vital role in providing the resources that government can use for the reconstruction and recovery of the South African economy, as well as contributing to the long-term prosperity of our nation.

As at midnight on 31 March 2023, SARS collected a record gross amount of R2067.8 bn. The net collection after payment of R381.1bn in refunds is R1686.7bn. This is the first time since it was formed that SARS collected more than R2068.bn. The amount paid in refunds is also the largest ever paid since its formation.

See the full media statement here.

Read the Commissioner’s speech here.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Media release – SA continues to reap the benefits of improved revenue collection

1 April 2023 – SARS appointed the new service provider for VAT Refund Administration (VRA) who will provide services as from today, 1 of April 2023. See the webpage for VAT Refunds to Qualifying Purchasers, such as tourists and foreign enterprises for contact details and more information.

Source: SARS Tariffs
New service provider for VAT Refund Administration (VRA)