Pretoria, 26 August 2010 – As part of its efforts to promote compliance and to get taxpayers to file their tax returns early, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will be setting up points of service at selected shopping malls throughout the country.
In addition to rendering this service at malls, SARS has since the start of the Tax Season on 1 July, visited 787 workplaces throughout the country where employers have requested SARS to come and assist employees with their tax affairs.
According to the SARS Executive for Taxpayer Engagement, Mr Sobantu Ndlangalavu, SARS Outreach Teams have assisted 30 000 employees to register and file on e-Filing through these workplace visits. At the same time, these workplace visits and other points of service engagements have resulted in 15 327 new taxpayers being registered.
To date SARS has received more than 1.3 million returns for the 2010 Tax Season.
“This work of the Taxpayer Services Engagement Unit reflects the commitment of SARS to continually reach out to taxpayers; improve the quality of service they receive and to educate current and future taxpayers about their tax responsibilities,” Mr Ndlangalavu said.
Regional personnel of the unit ensure that the SARS footprint is expanded to where taxpayers and the public may find it difficult to reach a SARS office. Furthermore, SARS wants to be where taxpayers are in order to make it easier for taxpayers to file early and to reduce the number of taxpayers visiting SARS branches.
“Our unit also conducts taxpayer education workshops so as to equip the taxpayer with relevant information about the tax products and services offered by SARS. In this way we help to increase compliance and grow the tax register,” Mr Ndlangalavu said.
From the weekend of 28 August through to November, SARS will be at the following shopping malls:
| City | Shopping Mall | August | September | November |
| Durban | Pavilion (Banking Court) | 28 & 29 | 18–19 & 25–26 | 20 & 21 |
| Durban | Gateway (Opposite Truworths) | 28 & 29 | 18–19 & 25–26 | 20 & 21 |
| Nelspruit | Riverside Mall ( near Pick ‘n Pay, Rhino Court) | 28 & 29 | 18–19 & 25–26 | 20 & 21 |
| Cape Town | Cape Gate Shopping Mall | 28 & 29 | 18–19 & 25–26 | 20 & 21 |
| Rustenburg | Waterfall Shopping Mall (Edgars Court) | 28 & 29 | 18–19 & 25–26 | 20 & 21 |
Taxpayers must bring the following documents to make the process more efficient:
- Income Tax return (ITR12) form;
- IRP5 from employer;
- Medical Aid Certificate;
- Retirement Annuity Contribution;
- Investment Income advices;
- All supporting documentation to substantiate claims; and
- Taxpayers with laptops who have the benefit of mobile internet connection, but encounter difficulties with eFiling are welcome to bring them as assistance will be on hand.
