Tag: Tax Consulting SA

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially discontinued the printing and posting of all system-generated letters, effective 31 May 2025. From this date forward, all correspondence will be delivered electronically via eFiling and other digital platforms. This shift reflects the fact that SARS discontinues printed letters as part of its broader digital strategy.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is no longer the passive revenue service many South Africans remember. With an injection of R3.5 billion from the national budget and the ominous launch of “Project AmaBillions”, SARS has entered its most aggressive enforcement phase in years.

Since the South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced the Crypto Revenue Augmentation Unit, many taxpayers who have traded, invested in or used crypto assets for purchases have received Audit and Request for Relevant Material Notices.

In a tightening economy, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is under increasing pressure to collect every cent it can. This effort is critical to shoring up the South African fiscus. While many compliant businesses play by the rules, it is becoming clear that some large corporations are pushing the envelope too far. Some do so unintentionally, but others proceed with eyes wide open.

In a significant win for taxpayers on the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) “narrow” approach to the ability to claim input Value-Added Tax (VAT), the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) recently ruled in favour of Woolworths Holdings (Woolworths), the group holding company, affirming its right to claim over R8 million in input VAT.

In its drive to meet the ambitious 2025/26 revenue estimate of R1.986 trillion, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made its expectations clear. Timely, transparent and accurate tax submissions are now the new normal. Central to this approach is the expanded use of third-party data. This applies broadly, including trusts and Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).

The Constitutional Court judgement in Greyvensteyn vs Commissioner for SARS and Others has been welcomed by South African Revenue Service (SARS)! Serving to reaffirm the constitutionality of SARS holding individuals personally liable for company debts, the Greyvensteyn judgement emphasises this point. It also supports SARS pursuing recovery from those persons. The judgement highlights the importance of tax revenue collection

A recent Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling should deliver a stark warning to businesses claiming input Value Added Tax (VAT) deductions without a watertight legal foundation. In Aveng Mining Shafts & Underground v CSARS (1192/2023) [2025] ZASCA 20, the SCA sided with South African Revenue Service (SARS) and disallowed almost R17.5 million in VAT input claims.

The shocks, surprises and shortfalls in the initial budget on 19 February 2025 made way for a reworked National Budget. This new budget is marked by cuts, compromises and curveballs. Although Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s first budget attempt was unexpectedly stopped three weeks ago, a higher VAT rate is still on the table.

Burying your head in the sand will not protect you from a tax debt owed to South African Revenue Service (SARS). The imminent threat to your bank balance will not simply "blow over". You will likely resurface to find SARS has attached your savings, leaving you with no legal recourse for recovery.