Where am I? Fin24.com > Personal Finance > Money Clinic

Extra time for tax returns

Nov 20 2009 18:35

Johannesburg - E-filers and tax practitioners can still submit tax returns on Saturday and Sunday as penalties will only be imposed from Monday, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said on Friday.

"We don't want to call it an extension because our call centre will only operate until 20:00 tonight [Friday] to assist e-filers," said spokesperson Adrian Lackay.

He said this amid concerns that thousands of tax payers willing to file their returns were stuck in long queues across the country, with operations at the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg hindered by a power failure.

In Durban, 900 people were still in queues at 16:00.

Lackay said however that taxpayers inside Sars offices when the branches closed at 6pm would be given a chance to file on Saturday.

Tickets with "unique numbers" will be issued to all those inside the branches at 18:00 and they will be required to produce them before filing on Saturday. Those without tickets will be turned away.

"This is an operational matter to assist taxpayers in queues because they have demonstrated a willingness to submit on time and their willingness to comply with the law," said Lackay.

Although the e-filers have some sort of extended time, they will get no help from Sars officials as the call centre was expected to close from 20:00 on Friday night.

- Sapa

Share this page

Add your comment

(No bad language or hate speech, please)

Comments Order

JS
Nov 26 2009 18:19 Report this comment

I agree with Carol Ann. Megan - SARS do pay interest on amounts owd by them. Please learn the tax act. People have had months to complete their tax return. It is always same thing in SA. People leave things till the last minute and then expect extensions because Gov can't cope with the huge demand. It is your own fault!!! Learn to do things early and not last minute.

trishen
Nov 26 2009 09:58 Report this comment

Sars lost my application had to reapply still waiting for my tax number. Hope i dont get fined

@Carol Anne
Nov 24 2009 14:47 Report this comment

Carol Anne. was your father a sergeant major by any chance...

Megan
Nov 24 2009 00:22 Report this comment

My tax consultant filed my return last week & I was paid within 2 days, which was great. However my husband is still waiting for his money from the previous tax year. Only 20% of the refund was paid to him & SARS lost the majority of our invoices submitted to them as proof of his expenses. We have been battling with this since January. So I agree with Bob- when you owe SARS money they charge you interest but not the other way around

Thandile
Nov 21 2009 21:30 Report this comment

Just a pity that most of the money coming from tax returns will be fraud-ed away or completely wasted on luxury cars for AA oficials, parties, sent to Zimbabwe etc etc.

AMH
Nov 21 2009 20:00 Report this comment

Congratulations are in order to all the SARS employees! Their tiring ordeal is over and they have stayed helpful and patient with all and sundry! Well done!

Carol Ann
Nov 21 2009 15:09 Report this comment

SARS Stick to your guns,FINE THE LAZY PEOPLE. I work full time,run my own business,get home after 6pm,feed my family,clean my house and do my gardening AND STILL MANAGED TO EFILE IN AUGUST.Our country in in a state because of SLAPGAT PEOPLE.Make time to drink and party,but when it comes to SARS, AG THEY WILL EXTEND TO DEADLINE ATTITUDE.TIME OUT GUYS,DO YOUR BIT,I DID.

Petro Cloete
Nov 21 2009 14:11 Report this comment

I tried to login to sars-efiling last evening, but SARS again changed my e-mail address or password so my login was unsuccessful. I called the helpline, was promised that an e-mail would be sent, but till now have not received same. Can somebody help?


Your name
Email
Comment	(500 characters remaining)
	Please enter the text below(Case sensitive)


If you can see the following field, please ignore it, as it is used to verify that you are human.

	Disclaimer Fin24.com encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of users published on Fin24.com are therefore their own and do not represent the views of Fin24.com. All posts are monitored by Fin24.com's editors and grossly derogatory posts will be deleted. The Fin24.com editorial team will delete your comment should you post abusive comments, use vulgar language or make discriminatory observations.