Johannesburg - The SA Revenue Service (Sars) has received
more than two million returns since the tax season began on July 1,
spokesperson Adrian Lackay said on Tuesday.
This represented an increase of 16% on last year's figures.
"During last year's tax season, it took taxpayers 14
weeks to submit two million returns to Sars," said Lackay.
"In addition, it took just 10 weeks for one million tax
returns to be submitted via eFiling this year, compared to 14 weeks last
year."
Lackay said this showed the growing popularity of eFiling as
a free, safe and convenient channel for interacting with Sars.
He said 98% of returns submitted were captured using Sars
electronic filing platforms.
"Judging by the number of returns filed, the message to
taxpayers to file early, honestly and electronically is getting across."
Lackay said Sars would set up service points at selected
shopping malls and libraries around the country for the remainder of the tax
season, to help taxpayers.
Selected Sars offices would also continue to operate on
extended hours from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays.
The deadline for postal submissions (paper tax returns) for
provisional and non-provisional taxpayers is September 30. Taxpayers using
eFiling have until November 25.
Provisional taxpayers who use eFiling have until Tuesday
January 31, 2012 to submit returns.