Legal and Policy - 23 November 2023

Legal and Policy - 23 November 2023

SARS:

• 21 November 2023 – The external manual, EA-01-M01 eAccount on eFiling, has been withdrawn and replaced with the new guide:

• SE-ACC-07- Manage eAccounts on eFiling – External Guide

All relevant eFiling processes have been revised in their entireties to reflect current system functionalities.

The registration process has been deleted from this document as it is contained in the guide on How to Register for eFiling and Manage Your User Profile.

• 21 November 2023 – The latest Government Connect Newsletter Issue 15 is available. This issue includes information on VAT training for municipalities, managing the Employer account, basic guide to section 18A approval, implementation of two-factor authentication for login to the SARS MobiApp, enhancements to the tax compliance status and online digital fraud reporting.

• 20 November 2023 – The latest Tax Practitioner Connect Newsletter Issue 48 is available. This issue includes information on the basic guide to Section 18A approvals, updates to the guide to submit a dispute via eFiling, implementation of two-factor authentication to login on the SARS MobiApp, enhancements to the tax compliance status, digital fraud reporting and declaration of proceeds from rental income on the Income Tax Return.
• 17 November 2023 – SARS will outsource overdue debt that is older than three years to external third-party debt collectors from November 2023. The external third-party debt collectors will assist with overdue accounts where no active payment or attempts to make payment arrangements have been made. Please see the list of appointed external third party debt collectors and frequently asked questions that may help you in this process.
• 17 November 2023 – The client is no longer required to upload the certificate of accreditation and notify the Client Relationship Manager for prioritisation of a stopped consignment. The Customs Officer must validate the client’s accredited status on the SARS intranet for case to be prioritised.

The related document has been revised:

• SC-CR-A-07-Valuation-of-Exports-External-Policy

• 17 November 2023 – Income Tax Act, 1962, and Securities Transfer Tax Act, 2007

• Binding Private Ruling 398 – Disposal of shares pursuant to a property development arrangement

• 17 November 2023 – Customs and Excise Act, 1964: Publication details for tariff amendment notices R4089 and R4098, as respectively published in Government Gazettes 49721 and 49734 of 17 November 2023, are now available
• 16 November 2023 – Customs and Excise Act, 1964: The tariff amendment notices, scheduled for publication in the Government Gazette, relate to the amendments to –

• Part 1 of Schedule No. 1, by the deletion and insertion of various subheadings under Chapter 48, in order to increase the rate of customs duty on thermal paper rolls of a width not exceeding 150mm from free of duty to 5% – ITAC Report 711
• Part 1 of Schedule No. 1, by insertion of Additional Note 3 to Chapter 70 as well as tariff subheadings 7020.00.10 and 7020.00.90, in order to increase the rate of customs duty on shower enclosures from free of duty to 15% – ITAC Report 693.

Publication details will be made available later

• 16 November 2023 – 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, 18 November 2023 from 22h00 to 00h00.

Responses (CUSRES messages) to transactions submitted during this time will be delayed, however, arrival and exit management functions are available at land border posts for all released declarations and manifests.

Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit priority Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest by Saturday, 18 November 2023 @ 21h00.

NATIONAL TREASURY:

• Media Statement: Bilateral Loan Agreements with the World Bank, KfW and AfDB – 21 November
• FAQ Enhanced Renewable Energy Incentive for Businesses – 20 November

• Speaking notes – Deputy Minister of Finance Dr David Masondo in Mini Plenary 16 November 2023 – 16 November

OECD:

• Statement by the Secretary General on International Tax Cooperation - 22 November 2023
• Media Advisory: Global Forum annual meeting - 22 November 2023
• Multinational enterprises continue reporting low-taxed profit, even in jurisdictions with high corporate tax rates, underlining need for global tax reform - 21 November 2023
• Azerbaijan signs landmark agreement to strengthen its tax treaties - 20 November 2023
• OECD Corporate Tax Statistics to launch on Tuesday 21 November, alongside new working paper on effective tax rates of multinational enterprises - 16 November 2023
• OECD invites public input on proposed changes to the Commentary on Article 5 of the OECD Model Tax Convention and its application to extractible natural resources - 16 November 2023