Johannesburg - Of the almost 19 million people registered to pay tax in SA, just more than 4 million have already filed.
This is according to a statement from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which says that it has already received 4 166 243 individual income tax returns.
This figure also includes 1 217 428 returns received for previous years of assessment.
Of the returns received, more than 1.4 million returns were submitted via eFiling, while more than 1.5 million returns were submitted electronically at a SARS branch by taxpayers who prefer face-to-face interaction with its trained branch consultants, the agency says.
Of the more than 4 million returns, 91.73 percent were assessed in 3 second, while 97.55 percent – including those assessed in 3 seconds – were assessed in 24 hours.
When it comes to refunds, SARS says 94.33 percent were paid in 72 hours.
However, if a return was flagged and a refund is due, it will only be paid once all outstanding requirements have been met by the taxpayer.
In its statement, the agency encourages taxpayers to submit their tax returns via eFiling as it says this helps avoid standing in long queues at branches. “Most importantly, eFiling is quick, easy and can be done from anywhere as long as you have secure internet access.”
The agency adds those taxpayers who need guidance when filing their returns via eFiling can use Help-You-eFile, an online service which connects taxpayers to a SARS agent telephonically to navigate eFiling together, every step of the way.
It adds the SARS eFiling mobisite and SARS eFiling app is available for techno-savvy taxpayers. The SARS eFiling mobisite has even been enhanced to be made more user-friendly and accommodating for blind and partially-sighted taxpayers.
However, SARS is warning taxpayers to be on the lookout for fraud and phishing scams, through which criminals try to gain access to their banking details by sending emails which pretend to be from SARS.
“SARS will never ask for personal, tax banking or eFiling details (passwords, login information, etc) via phone or email. Taxpayers will also never be asked to log into the eFiling website from a link in an email.”
Because of these scams, SARS has tightened its controls on the tax return process, which it says will prevent incorrect refund pay-outs.
“SARS would like to assure members of the public that not all taxpayers are affected by these additional tighter controls. In fact, these controls are in place to protect the taxpayer and to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes due to the fiscus.”
Tax Season 2016 will end for non-provisional taxpayers on November 25.
IOL