Month: February 2024

9 February 2024 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is committed to assisting taxpayers and traders to fulfil their tax obligations and remain compliant. In this respect, SARS will host a virtual Webinar for SMME taxpayers and traders where the SARS Digital Channels will be discussed.

The Digital Channels webinar aims to increase the uptake of digital migration and encourage those who are already registered to utilise the channel by providing education to SMMEs on these channels.

In line with our strategic objectives, SARS believes that when taxpayers have clarity and certainty about their tax obligations, they will be in a better position to do to the right thing when it comes to fulfilling tax needs and be tax compliant.

As an important SMME taxpayer and trader, you are invited to join us at the Webinar. You may also extend this invitation to other interested parties. 

The following topics will be covered:

• eFiling for organisations
  • How to register on eFiling
  • How to manage your profile on eFiling
  • Portfolio management
  • Registered representatives
  • Registering/Adding a taxpayer on eFiling
  • Managing groups
  • Activating a SARS-registered representative
  • Inviting a user and delegating rights
  • Tax Compliant Status
• SARS Online Query Services
  • What is SOQS
  • Advantages of SOQS
  • Services on SOQS
• Frequently Asked Questions.

As an important stakeholder, you are invited to join the webinar. You may also extend the invitation to other interested parties.

Webinar details:

Theme:  Digital channels

Date: Thursday, 15 February 2024

Time: 17:00 – 19:00

Platforms: (Virtual) Zoom and YouTube

Register in advance for this webinar on the following link: https://sars-gov-za.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0UBr_IITQOasyVKztm3PBA

Meeting ID:   963 9311 5698

Passcode:  201558

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to log in to the webinar to have your questions answered during the session. The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the SARSTV YouTube channel afterwards. 

YouTube:  https://youtube.com/live/CJafuxMidf8?feature=share

If you have questions about our digital channels, please send an email to DigitalQuestions@sars.gov.za.

 

Source: SARS Tariffs
Invitation to webinar on digital channels

9 February 2024 – The schedules for pop-up branches arranged for Gauteng South from February to June 2024 are now available.

Source: SARS Tariffs
SARS Pop-up branches

7 February 2024 – 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 and technology infrastructure. To provide clarity and certainty, make it easy for taxpayers and traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets must demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.

In accordance with 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 and technology infrastructure are available, robust and secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements and maintenance.

Considering the above, a SARS Digital platform upgrade is scheduled for 7 February 2024 from 20:00 – 23:00. During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on eFiling. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

Source: SARS Tariffs
eFiling platform upgrade on 7 February 2024

6 February 2024 – SARS will introduce enhancements to the Tax Directives process as indicated in the IBIR-006 Tax Directives Interface Specification Version 6.601.  Trade testing is planned to start on 12 February 2024 to prepare for the implementation of the software by end February 2024. In the event that dates are changed, SARS will communicate accordingly.

The Tax Directives Interface Specification is available here and you are encouraged to review it prior to testing.

Please follow these steps to submit test files:

Step 1: Before testing can commence, you will need to email 10 taxpayer reference numbers to ncts@sars.gov.za  to ensure the numbers are active.  In the email subject line, use “Tax reference numbers for Trade Testing”. A maximum of 10 taxpayer reference numbers will be allowed.

Step 2: You will be notified via the same email address to confirm when testing may commence.

For trade testing queries please email ncts@sars.gov.za.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Trade testing dates and software implementation: Tax Directives

2 February 2024 – The AfCFTA is a free-trade area, outlined in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. The AfCFTA is the largest in the world in terms of participating countries since the formation of the World Trade Organisation.

On 31 January 2024, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition launched the implementation of the start of preferential trade by South Africa.

For more information, see the letter to Trade.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement

1 February 2024 – Multilateral Instrument (MLI) synthesised texts:

• Chile
• Finland (updated)
• France
• Hungary
• Mexico
• The Netherlands
• Ukraine

Source: SARS Tariffs
Legal Counsel – International Treaties & Agreements – Multilateral Instrument (MLI)

1 February 2024 – 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 and technology infrastructure. To provide clarity and certainty, make it easy for taxpayers and traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets must demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.

In accordance with 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 and technology infrastructure are available, robust and secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements and maintenance.

Considering the above, SARS Digital platform upgrades are scheduled for Saturday, 3 February 2024 from 20h00 to 02h30 on Sunday, 4 February 2024.

During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on our Tax and Customs Digital Platform.

Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit priority Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest by Saturday, 3 February 2024 @ 19h00.

Source: SARS Tariffs
eFiling platform upgrade on 3 February 2024

1 February 2024 – The facility codes used in Box 30 on the Customs Clearance Declaration (CCD) have been updated:

• The new approved container depot in Durban, Dachser South Africa Pty Ltd details has been inserted; and
• Bidfreight Port Operations (Pty) Ltd in Durban details has been deleted as the facility has been cancelled.

SC-CF-19-A02 – Facility Code List – External Annexure

Source: SARS Tariffs
Customs: Registration, Licensing and Accreditation