News

10 July 2024 – As a result of the modernisation of systems and process, the delivery and collection of bonds changed from Alberton to the SARS Head Office in Pretoria with immediate effect.

The address for the delivery and collection of bonds is:

Revenue Accounting
Block D Ground Floor
Lehae La SARS
299 Bronkhorst Street
Brooklyn
Pretoria

Arrangements for delivery/collection of bonds must be made via the following email address: bondvalidations@sars.gov.za.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Customs – Delivery and collection of bonds

9 July 2024 – The KwaZulu-Natal Mobile Tax Unit schedules for July and August 2024 are now available.

Source: SARS Tariffs
KwaZulu-Natal Mobile Tax Unit Schedules for July & August 2024

9 July 2024 – The Eastern Cape Mobile Tax Unit schedules for August to September 2024 are now available.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Eastern Cape Mobile Tax Unit Schedules for August to September 2024

9 July 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 Tuesday, 9 July 2024 from 19:00 to 22:00.

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

Source: SARS Tariffs
eFiling platform upgrade on 9 July 2024

8 July 2024 – SARS Bellville branch has relocated from the Corner of Teddington & De Lange Road to 14 Strand Road, Bellville. From Tuesday, 9 July, taxpayers can visit the branch at the new location. You need to make an appointment to visit a SARS branch.

For more information, see the Bellville branch webpage.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Relocation of SARS Bellville branch

8 July 2024 – Taxpayers can now use WhatsApp to interact with SARS for tax advice and specific personal income tax queries.

To initiate an interaction, taxpayers should simply text a greeting i.e., “Hi or Hello”. SARS will respond with a description of the service offerings and a service request menu.

To engage SARS via WhatsApp:

• From your mobile phone: save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, in your contact list;
• From your desktop: Click here to launch the SARS WhatsApp desktop version and follow the prompts.

You can do the following via WhatsApp:

• Request your Tax Reference Number;
• Request your Statement of Account;
• Request your Return Refund Status;
• Request your Audit Status; and
• Request your Notice of Assessment.

To authenticate you successfully, you will need to WhatsApp us from your mobile device number registered on the SARS systems.

For more information, see the Mobile Services webpage and the Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services.

Source: SARS Tariffs
SARS launched a self-service WhatsApp channel

8 July 2024 – It was previously communicated on 16 November 2022 that SARS intends to withdraw Practice Note 31: “Interest paid on moneys borrowed” (PN 31) for years of assessment commencing on or after 1 March 2023. In the same notice it was also requested that representation be made for legislative amendments in place of PN 31 as part of the Budget 2023 Annexure C process

Following the representations received National Treasury proposed the introduction of section 11G – “Deduction of expenses incurred in the production of interest”, which was taken up in the Taxation Laws Amendment Act No.17 of 2023. The proposed effective date of section 11G is for years of assessment commencing on or after 1 January 2025.

The withdrawal of PN 31 will therefore be delayed and will coincide with the effective date of section 11G.

See Practice note 31/1994 here.

Source: SARS Tariffs
Notice from SARS: Withdrawal of Practice Note 31

5 July 2024 – The Benoni branch is closing permanently with effect from 5 July 2024. Virtual appointments will still be honoured. See all branches in Gauteng here.

Source: SARS Tariffs
SARS Benoni branch is closing down

5 July 2024 – The Traditional African Beer and Alcohol Powder Products policies have been revised as follows:  

• Amended to include alcohol powders in the production of TAB products, resulting in the name change of the documents from Traditional African Beer to Traditional African Beer and Alcohol Powder Products.
• Updated Vis Major losses and its exclusionary items.

The Accounting Period and Submission Rules external annexure has been revised to include alcohol powder products into the Traditional African Beer naming convention.  

Updated documents: 

• SE-TAB-02 – Traditional African Beer and Alcohol Powder Products – External Policy 
• SE-ACC-04-A01 – Accounting Period and Submission Rules – External Annexure 

Source: SARS Tariffs
Excise – Traditional African Beer & Alcohol Powder Products 

Source: SARS Tariffs
If you do not agree with your auto-assessment, just file your return as normal