SARS

16 January 2025 – Beware of fraudulent activities! Don’t fall for imposters pretending to be SARS sending notifications about refunds on assessments. Always verify the authenticity of such messages on the Scams & Phishing webpage. Stay informed, stay safe! #SARS #ScamAlert.

17 January 2025 – The deadline for Trusts and individual taxpayers who are provisional taxpayers to file their annual income tax returns for the 2024 tax year, is Monday, 20 January 2025.

The 2024 year of assessment refers to the period between 01 March 2023 to 29 February 2024.

A provisional taxpayer is any person who receives income or to whom income accrues, other than remuneration. A Trust is included under the definition of a “person” in terms of the Income Tax Act, no.58 of 1962 and is therefore regarded as a taxpayer. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wishes to thank those taxpayers who have already submitted their annual tax returns and urges taxpayers who are yet to submit their tax returns, to do so before the impending deadline.

Taxpayers including Trusts, are legally obliged to register for the applicable tax, file tax returns, make accurate declarations in their tax returns and make payments due to SARS where applicable. Non-compliance with these obligations is a criminal offence and will attract penalties and interest. Taxpayers must register for eFiling to file their annual income tax return. It is important to note that all Trusts are required to file a tax return annually, including those that are not economically active. The trustees are the “representative taxpayer” of a Trust and are legally liable in their official and personal capacity for meeting its tax obligations, even when using a tax practitioner to administer the tax affairs of the Trust on their behalf. SARS will hold all the trustees of a Trust jointly and severally liable for the tax non-compliance of Trusts. SARS has made it easy for taxpayers to comply through online filing solutions. The personal income tax return (ITR12) and Trust income tax return (ITR12T) may be obtained on eFiling while an appointment with a SARS branch may be made on the SARS website.

Taxpayers are encouraged to refer to the SARS website for further information on their tax obligations at the following links: Trusts, Tax Filing Season and Provisional Tax. The SARS website provides a dedicated Trusts webpage with regular updates on a Trust’s tax obligations, guides and a list of Trust tax registration supporting documents. Video tutorials and webinars on Trust tax compliance may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/@sarstax.

Issued by the South African Revenue Service

17 January 2025 – Income Tax Act, 1962

Guide to the Urban Development Zone (UDZ) Allowance (Issue 9)

20 January 2025 – Income Tax Act, 1962

Draft Interpretation Note 54 (Issue 3) – Deductions not allowed – Corrupt activities fines and penalties and fruitless and wasteful expenditure

21 January 2025 – The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, Mr. Edward Kieswetter, will host a commemoration of the 2025 International Customs Day (ICD). SARS will observe ICD under this year’s theme “Commitment to Enhancing Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity as Our Core Focus,” as communicated by the World Customs Organization.

The global community celebrates ICD annually on 26 January in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council, which took place on that date in 1953.

Please join us on:

Date: Friday, 24 January 2025
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
YouTube Link: https://youtube.com/live/es3yYsuiI8M?feature=share

21 January 2025 – The state provides state warehouses for the safekeeping of goods. These are managed by Customs. The purpose of this list of unentered goods is to notify the importer, exporter and any other person that has interest in the goods that the goods have been taken up into the State warehouse and if they remain unentered they will be disposed in accordance with the provisions of the Customs & Excise Act.

See the latest Customs Weekly List of Unentered Goods here