30 April 2024 – The PAYE webinar schedule for Kwazulu Natal during May has been published.
Source: SARS Tariffs
PAYE Webinars for Kwazulu Natal
Digital platforms upgrade on 4 and 5 May 2024
30 April 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 :
Friday, 3 May 2024 from 18h00 to 20h00
Saturday, 4 May 2024 from 22h00 to 02h00 Sunday, 5 May 2024 .
During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on our eFiling, Tax and Customs Digital Platforms.
Responses (CUSRES messages) to transactions submitted during this time will be delayed.
Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit priority Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest by Saturday, 4 May 2024 @ 21h00.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Digital platforms upgrade on 4 and 5 May 2024
Media release – Trade statistics for March 2024
30 April 2024 – South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R7.3 billion in March 2024. This surplus was attributable to exports of R164.1 billion and imports of R156.8 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
The year-to-date (01 January to 31 March 2024) preliminary trade balance surplus of R10.8 billion was an improvement from the R5.7 billion trade balance deficit for the comparable period in 2023. On a year-on-year basis, export flows for March 2024 (R164.1 billion) were 15.3% lower compared to R193.7 billion recorded in March 2023, whilst import flows were 15.2% lower having decreased from R184.9 billion in March 2023 to R156.8 billion in the current period.
On a month-to-month basis, exports increased by R2.9 billion (1.8%) from R161.2 billion to R164.1 billion between February and March 2024, whilst imports also increased by R9.0 billion (6.1%) from R147.8 billion to R156.8 billion over the same period. Export flows increased in March, driven by Gold, Coal, and Chemical Wood Pulp. Imports flows increased on the back of sizable increases in the importation of Petroleum Oils (Excluding Crude), Crude Oil, and Banknotes.
Due to ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOCs), the preliminary trade balance surplus of R14.0 billion announced for February 2024 was revised downwards by R0.7 billion, with the final number at R13.3 billion.
See the full media release here.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Media release – Trade statistics for March 2024
Legal Counsel – Interpretation and Rulings – Interpretation Notes 121–140
29 April 2024 – Income Tax Act, 1962
- Interpretation Note 131 – Exemption of income relating to South African ships used in international shipping
Source: SARS Tariffs
Legal Counsel – Interpretation and Rulings – Interpretation Notes 121–140
Maintenance on SARS Third Party Data submissions platforms 26 April 2024
26 April 2024 – Please note that the submissions platforms for both Secure File Gateway and Connect:Direct will be temporarily offline for planned maintenance between 16:00 and 19:00 on Friday 26 April 2024.
Please do not submit any files in the Production or Test environments during this time, as they will not be received or processed. Files already in the system will be paused and will continue processing upon conclusion of the maintenance.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Maintenance on SARS Third Party Data submissions platforms 26 April 2024
Employer Annual Reconciliation period
25 April 2024 – Employer Annual Reconciliation period
The submission period for Employers’ Annual Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) is 1 April to 31 May 2024.
Importantly, these reconciliation declarations (EMP501) must include the latest and most accurate payroll information regarding their employees, and the tax they have deducted covering the full tax year from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2024.
The employer’s annual reconciliation must be submitted by 31 May 2024, so that employee’s auto-assessments and tax returns can be prepared accurately.
For more information, watch the guidance videos below:
Source: SARS Tariffs
Employer Annual Reconciliation period
Mandatory Disclosure Rules
24 April 2024 – The Mandatory Disclosure Rules (MDR) process has been designed to improve compliance within the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). The process aims to identify practices of tax avoidance and opaque offshore structures that attempt to circumvent the reporting.
The functionality can receive and send information on reportable arrangements to improve compliance and the quality of data received within CRS. SARS will be able to receive declarations from local and foreign intermediaries based on prescribed rules, and send out validated reports in line with Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) standards.
A new webpage and eFiling guide have been published:
- Mandatory Disclosure Rules (MDR) on Common Reporting Standards (CRS), Avoidance Arrangements and Opaque Offshore Structures
- GEN-GEN-49-G01 – Administration of Exchange of Information MDR Rules – External Guide
Source: SARS Tariffs
Mandatory Disclosure Rules
Western Cape Mobile Tax Unit Schedule for May 2024
24 April 2024 – The Western Cape Mobile Tax Unit schedule for May 2024 is now available.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Western Cape Mobile Tax Unit Schedule for May 2024
Reminder: Digital platforms upgrade on 26 to 28 April 2024
24 April 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 Friday, 26 April 2024 from 18h00 to 21h00 on Sunday, 28 April 2024.
During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on our Tax and Customs Digital Platforms.
Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit priority Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest by Friday, 26 April 2024 @ 14h00.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Reminder: Digital platforms upgrade on 26 to 28 April 2024
Automation of the Trust dispute process
22 April 2024 – The automated dispute process is now extended to Trusts. A Trust is now able to lodge the relevant dispute (RFR01, RFRE, NOO or NOA) on eFiling or at the SARS Branch. The manual ADR1 form for objections is no longer accepted for Trusts from 20 April 2024.
The Trust dispute process will be the same as the process currently applicable to Personal Income Tax. Suspension of payment will not be included for Trusts at this stage.
Source: SARS Tariffs
Automation of the Trust dispute process
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