Month: June 2024

With Filing Season for the 2024 tax year set to commence in July, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that the pool of taxpayers who will be auto-assessed will increase to about 4.8 million this year compared to about 3.8 million taxpayers last year.

This as the revenue service announced 15 July 2024 as the start of the Filing Season for provisional and non-provisional taxpayers who are required to file a tax return.

Auto-assessments for an expanded pool of taxpayers will run from the 1 -14 July 2024.

‘In line with the strategic objective of making it easy and simple for taxpayers to meet their legal obligations, SARS is proud to announce that the pool of taxpayers who will be auto-assessed will increase to about 4.8 million this year compared to about 3.8 million taxpayers last year.

‘Taxpayers who agree with the auto-assessment do not have to do anything. If a refund is due, it will be paid within 72 hours. If tax is due to SARS, the taxpayer must make the payment by the due date,’ SA
RS said.

If a taxpayer does not agree with the auto-assessment, they should make all applicable changes and file their return the normal way via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp on or before 21 October 2024, the closing date for non-provisional taxpayers.

‘Taxpayers whose contact details, including an email address and cell phone number, as well as banking details, have changed must update these details on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to facilitate an easy and seamless Filing Season. The update of this information goes a long way to preventing fraud and identity theft,’ SARS said.

SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, has assured taxpayers that SARS remains committed to its goal of making Filing Season for standard taxpayers an invisible process that requires little or no action from the taxpayer, due to the use of big data, machine learning and algorithms.

‘The large number of digital platforms available to taxpayers reinforces the trend of a decreasing number of taxpayers needing to visit branches and wait in
queues,’ Kieswetter said.

Compliance

The Commissioner has urged taxpayers to be transparent and accurate when filing their tax returns to enable a constructive relationship with SARS.

‘The use of technology and data has enhanced SARS’ ability to detect instances of non-compliance. Taxpayers must not inflate their expenses and under-declare their income to obtain impermissible refunds. Not including rental income is an example. Such actions will make the taxpayer potentially guilty of fraud.

‘It is expected that in the first two weeks of July and the first two weeks of October, as many taxpayers rush to engage SARS, there may be instances where taxpayers may need to wait longer than usual to be serviced,’ said the Commissioner.

The filing season for Trusts commences on 16 September 2024 – 20 January 2025.

Taxpayers who are auto-assessed but who wish to claim the solar tax rebate must complete their tax return and file it in the normal way.

Contacting SARS

More information on the solar tax rebate is av
ailable on the SARS website at sars.gov.za.

Taxpayers can also contact SARS through the SARS Online Query System. The SARS Online Query System is an easy-to-use online platform on SARS’s website (https://tools.sars.gov.za/soqs).

Taxpayers can use this service without going into a SARS branch or calling SARS. The SARS Online Query System enables taxpayers to:

Submit a payment allocation query.

Request your tax reference number.

Submit supporting documents if SARS asked you to do so.

Report a new estate case.

Update registered representative.

Request your tax compliance status.

Verify your tax compliance status.

Check if a taxpayer is due for an auto-assessment, which can only be done once the auto-assessment process starts on 1 July.

Additional information in the form of questions and answers can be found on the SARS website Tax Season | South African Revenue Service (sars.gov.za).

Taxpayers can also engage SARS through the Lwazi Chatbot or the?Live Agent function on eFiling and the SARS MobiApp.

‘SARS thanks compliant employers and third-party data providers who met their 2024 submission deadline. Accurate and timely information provided in this process greatly facilitates a seamless and easy transaction for employees with SARS during Filing Season.

‘Those employers and third parties who are non-compliant make transacting with SARS challenging for their employees and will be pursued for transgressing the law,’ the revenue service said.

Taxpayers can learn more about how to use SARS’ digital platforms, by visiting the SARS TV YouTube channel for detailed video tutorials, or by visiting the SARS website (www.sars.gov.za).

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has assured Gauteng residents and businesses that Rand Water is working around the clock to ensure that its planned maintenance programme is completed as quickly as possible.

This after some areas experienced severe disruptions to their water supply.

Rand Water’s the infrastructure maintenance project has been scheduled to run from 22 June to 29 July 2024.

‘Rand Water’s planned maintenance programme that is currently underway has resulted in a partial reduction in the amount of water that it can supply to Gauteng municipalities. Unfortunately, the situation has been exacerbated by several major breakdowns, which have occurred at the same time as the planned maintenance.

‘These breakdowns include an electrical power failure at Rand Water’s Zwartkopjes Booster Pumping Station which occurred on 26 June. This has since been repaired and the pumping station is running at full capacity. In addition, on 25 June, the City of Johannesburg experienced a major burst pipe,
which affected its ability to supply the Illovo Reservoir. This has also since been repaired,’ the department said on Friday.

As has been previously indicated by the department, the supply-demand relationship for treated water in Gauteng is very tight.

This is largely because demand for water has risen due to rapid population growth in Gauteng.

READ | Rand Water starts maintenance at Eikenhof and Zwartkopjes

READ | Ekurhuleni residents reminded of Rand Water planned maintenance work

Lesotho Highlands Water Project

‘DWS anticipated this and planned the second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP2) to add more water into the Integrated Vaal River System (which supplies Gauteng with water), and this project was expected to be completed by 2019. While LHWP2 is now under construction, it was started late and is only due to be completed by 2028.

‘The tight supply-demand relationship results in a situation where municipal water distribution systems take a long time to recover from breakdowns. B
ecause the demand is close to, or occasionally exceeds the available supply of water, the water levels in the reservoirs rise very slowly after repairs have been completed.

‘The water is usually gravity-fed from the reservoirs to households, resulting in high-lying areas being worst affected. This explains why the municipalities have been issuing media statements indicating that it is taking time for their systems to recover,’ the department said.

Billing and conservation

To reduce the risk of water supply disruptions in future, the department said municipalities need to improve their billing and revenue collection for water and allocate increased funding to maintenance of their water infrastructure and to reducing leaks in their water distribution systems.

‘There are also investments that they should make in pumps and reservoirs, which can improve their ability to withstand the kind of disruptions described above (Joburg Water is currently implementing such investments).

‘In addition to completing LHWP2
, fixing leaks in municipal water distribution systems, and investing in maintenance and improvement of these systems, there is also a need to improve water conservation and demand management in Gauteng.

‘In this regard, DWS is working with Rand Water, the municipalities in Gauteng, the World Bank 2030 Water Resources Group, organised business, civil society leaders and sector experts to put in place an awareness campaign in Gauteng for water to be used more sparingly,’ the department said.

Rand Water and the affected municipalities will continue to communicate with the public regarding progress with the implementation of the maintenance programme and the provision of alternative water supplies during the Rand Water maintenance period.

DWS, Rand Water and the municipalities continue to meet daily to assess the performance of the water supply systems in order to activate interventions in areas experiencing supply challenges.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The National Treasury has called on stakeholders and provinces to collaborate with it in hosting events to educate the public on the budget process.

This comes after the National Treasury hosted, for the first time, a successful post-Budget engagement during Youth Month that involved unpacking the national budget to children.

The engagement was in collaboration with the Western Cape Commissioner for Children (WCCC).

The main objective of the outreach programme was to raise awareness about national budget information that is readily available, outline the budget process and to develop a child-centred budget document titled the Coolkid’s Guide to the Budget.

‘Public participation in the budget process is essential for transparent and accountable governance. In February, the Minister of Finance tables the National Budget, which includes allocations for children and the youth across various national and provincial departments.

‘By involving the public, especially young people, the government fosters inclusiv
e development, builds trust in its resource allocation, and ensures that the budget process is accessible and understandable,’ National Treasury said on Friday.

The Children’s Budget Engagement targeted children between the ages of 13 to 17 (Grade 8 – 12 learners).

The engagement took place virtually on Wednesday 26 June 2024 while the nation commemorated the month of the African Child as well as Youth Month.

National Treasury officials presented to the children, who in turn engaged and asked questions that were responded to.

Key focus areas included: how the National Treasury makes sure that the budget is spent effectively on realising child rights, the focus of children’s involvement in the decision-making process, and the prioritisation of children regarding Early Childhood Development (ECD), social welfare, health care, and quality education.

‘The National Treasury discussed these topics using creative and colourful infographics and mind-maps that made budget education fun and interactive. The WCCC a
lso developed products displaying their understanding of the budget process; these included a budget recipe poster, and a budget story in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and South African sign language.

‘The Commissioner for Children commended the National Treasury for making the efforts to make budget information available in a child-centred and child-friendly manner. One of the child government monitors said that they love the layout of the pages of the Children’s Budget, they love that it is easy to understand, entertaining, and makes them look forward to learning about the budget.

‘The National Treasury invites other stakeholders and provinces to collaborate in hosting similar engagement events to reach groups that are not necessarily aware of or catered for in the budget documents.

The children’s products can be found on all National Treasury and WCCC social media platforms. The Coolkid’s Guide to the Budget is also available on the National Treasury website (www.treasury.gov.za).

Source: South African
Government News Agency

The Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato has commended the interception of four Lesotho nationals who were in the country illegally and in possession of over R1.4 million in cash at the Qashasnek port of entry.

The arrests were made during a joint operation by the BMA, members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the South African Police (SAPS) after a vehicle was stopped for searching as part of routine check at a Vehicle Check Point (VCP) of a Bi-National operation between South Africa and Lesotho on 25 June 2024.

‘Five Lesotho nationals were in the vehicle and four were found to be previously declared undesirable and had been banned from entering the country in terms of the Immigration Act. The above-mentioned persons were searched and found to be in possession of concealed South African currency worth R1 480 050.

‘The four who did not have the requisite documents were arrested for being in South Africa illegally and a case was opened. The money
which was counted, and underwent counterfeit verifications, was then deposited into the state bank account pending further investigations on the matter,’ the BMA said on Saturday.

The Commissioner commended the crime prevention contributions of BMA officials at Qashasnek port of entry and their detection systems.

“As the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority, I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of our nation. To this end, we have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to criminal activities at our ports of entry.

‘We will rigorously enforce the law and take decisive action against any illegal activities to maintain the integrity of our borders. The Junior Border Guards continue to display great effort in protecting our country. Their dedication and hard work are vital in maintaining the safety and integrity of our nation,” Masiapato said.

Masiapato said that any individuals caught engaging in criminal behaviour, will face the full might of the law.

Source: South African Government N
ews Agency

The Western Cape Division of the High Court has dismissed with costs, an application brought by Ezaga Holdings for an interim order to interdict the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) from reviewing and terminating its contract.

Ezaga Holdings is one of the service providers that has been disbursing allowances to NSFAS beneficiaries.

The application brought by Ezaga Holdings was seeking for an interim order to interdict NSFAS from taking steps in implementing the recommendations of the Werksman’s Report on the appointment of direct payment service providers to disburse allowances on behalf of NSFAS.

‘The 12 June 2024 court order ruled there was no urgency to the application brought by Ezaga, while the review application to review and set aside Ezaga’s contract is being finalised. The order comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) successfully applied to be joined in the matter as a respondent.

‘The SIU and NSFAS successfully argued that the matter was not urgent and fell to be struck of
f the roll for lack of urgency. The SIU and NSFAS welcome the decision of the High Court, as it clears the way for the implementation of investigation outcomes and consequence management to correct wrongdoings and further tighten the controls within the public procurement process.

‘Noracco Corporation, one of the other service providers that have been disbursing allowances to NSFAS beneficiaries, was cited as a respondent in the matter. However, the company filed a counterapplication stating that they agreed with Ezaga Holdings’ application; this was also dismissed with costs,’ a joint statement by the SIU and NSFAS said on Friday.

The SIU’s investigation into the affairs of NSFAS found that the tender process followed to appoint student allowance dispensing service providers was allegedly irregular.

The SIU investigation probed the appointment of Coinvest Africa, Tenet Technology (Pty) Ltd, Ezaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd and Norraco Corporation as service providers to disburse student allowances.

‘The SIU and
NSFAS have applied to the Special Tribunal to review and set aside these contracts and to have the Tribunal declare them invalid and unlawful. The SIU and NSFAS also seek the service providers to be divested of all the profits they accrued due to the impugned tender awarded to them.

‘The SIU is in terms of Proclamation R88 of 2022 authorised to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NSFAS and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State through corruption and negligence.

‘The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during both investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,’ the statement said.

Source: South African Governm
ent News Agency

The peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next has defined our democracy since 1994. This moment is a culmination of a number of things but is symbolised most notably by the Presidential Inauguration. By affirming the oath of office, the incoming President begins a new term of government and swears to work for our country and her people.

On 19 June 2024, against the backdrop of the historic Union Buildings and with the eyes of the nation, the continent and the world upon him, President Cyril Ramaphosa took the oath of office with the words: I, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, swear that I will be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and will obey, observe, uphold and maintain the Constitution and all other law of the Republic.

These words signalled the start of his second term as President, and the beginning of the seventh administration of a democratic South Africa. The symbolism of the inauguration is important as it represents the beginning of a new chapter and signals to the world that
our democracy remains strong.

This inauguration was also the first since 1994 where the President addressed the nation with no one party having a clear majority. ‘The voters of South Africa did not give any single party the full mandate to govern our country alone. They have directed us to work together to address their plight and realise their aspirations,’ he said.

These words by President Cyril Ramaphosa are a potent reminder that our nation has always been at its strongest when we are united in a common purpose. Time after time during the past 30 Years of Freedom, we have shown that our unity remains our greatest strength.

As we look towards the seventh administration, we will as always be guided by our Constitution and democratic principles. The road to the establishment of the seventh democratic parliament begins with the Opening of Parliament Address, which will take place at the first joint sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces. The address is delivered by the President
of the Republic and occurs once every five years after an election.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the Opening of Parliament on 18 July 2024 and will use this occasion to outline the priorities of the 7th Administration. Fittingly, the Opening of Parliament Address will coincide with the United Nations-declared Nelson Mandela International Day, which is celebrated annually to mark the birthday of the founding President of a democratic South Africa.

The Opening of Parliament Address is more than a ceremonial occasion; it is a platform where the President will detail government’s vision and priorities to the nation. Importantly, it sets the tone for the legislative and administrative actions to follow as we begin the hard work to further advance our nation. It also symbolises the functioning of the new parliament, reflecting the continuity and stability of governance.

Continuity and stability has been the hallmark of our democracy since 1994, with each successive administration building on the work o
f the one before. The incoming administration will be guided by existing plans such as the National Development Plan, as well as agreed upon Government of National Unity (GNU) priorities anchored by respect for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights in its entirety, a united South Africa and the rule of law.

The seventh administration, like the ones before it will continue to work to ensure a better tomorrow for all, however we cannot do it alone. We call on all South Africans to join us as we chart a new path. Let us work together and continue to build a society that is truly reflective of the will of the people.

*Nomonde Mnukwa is Acting Director-General of the GCIS

Source: South African Government News Agency