REPORT CARD: The SARS 2023 tax results are IN

After a tricky year for the South African Revenue Service, the SARS 2023 tax results are in. Given all the circumstance, like awaiting the annual report card, we’re surprised the results aren’t worse. We’ve been encouraging and assisting South African taxpayers to submit their tax returns all year and, maybe, just maybe, it’s paid off.

As we’ve reported, the taxman was desperate to see improvement in non-compliance for SARS 2023 tax results. SARS even resorted to sending ‘threatening’ SMSes to remind people to pay their arrears. Something it would eventually apologise for …

SARS 2023 TAX RESULTS

However, there’s some good news for SARS 2023 tax results. This year, one million more non-provisional taxpayers submitted returns versus last year, reports Business Tech.

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In the SARS 2023 tax results, it said it received seven million non-provisional returns from compliant taxpayers on time. Here are the other successes from SARS 2023 tax results:

• R29 billion has already been paid back to taxpayers through refunds.
• 88% of returns were processed online via SARS eFiling and MobiApp.
• 93% of returns were processed in five minutes or less.
• 79% of refunds were processed in 72 hours.
• 4 million taxpayers received auto-assessments.
• 7 million non-provisional taxpayers submitted in time.

FOCUSING ON NON-COMPLIANCE

Clearly, SARS’ investment into digital platforms has paid off. However, it says its newfound digital savvy can also help clamp down on tax non-compliance. SARS applauds the increased compliance, but it remains concerned about the amount of South African taxpayers who have not yet submitted their returns.

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Specifically, SARS wants to remedy the following:

• Taxpayers who have not yet filed a return.
• Outstanding payments due from taxpayers.
• Non-registered taxpayers who are in fact economically active.
• Taxpayers who generate income from investments, rentals, dividends or other businesses.

SARS was quick to say that, “Non-compliant taxpayers are reminded that they do face legal consequences for failing to register, file a return or make payments where applicable. You are urged to rectify your tax matters as a matter of urgency and approach the Voluntary Disclosure (VDP) if necessary.”

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