ADMINISTRATIVE AUTONOMY
1 October 1997 marks the beginning of a new era for SARS, as the long awaited administrative autonomy comes into effect.
From 1 October 1997 the title of Mr Trevor van Heerden will be Commissioner: SARS.
Being an independent organ of State, SARS is registered for VAT at the Pretoria Receiver of Revenue.
The SARS Internet Site will also be launched on 1 October 1997. The initial site content includes Tax Acts and Bills, Memoranda on Tax Acts, all 1997 Media Releases, Practice Notes, Details about SARS, Useful links to tax and other relevant sites, Client Comments/ feedback page and Tax programmes for downloading.
The internet address is: http://www.sars.gov.za
With the official launch of administrative autonomy for the South African Revenue Service we are also launching our new logo and corporate identity. The new Corporate Identity will be gradually phased in, starting with the application of the logo on letterheads, business cards and the web site, followed by forms, signage and other stationery.
The concepts behind our new Corporate Identity are stability, growth and unity. The triangle is formed from two separate parts working together to form one whole. In the same way SARS is formed from two separate units, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise, working together on a common goal. The lettering next to the triangle has forward movement, each letter reaching towards the next, moving towards a promising new future. SA in blue, short for South Africa. RS in green, short for Revenue Service. Blue is the colour of stability, green is the colour of growth. The two are linked by a golden circle which is the symbol of wealth.
Our new logo brings together the symbols of stability, growth and wealth into a promise of a new era of success and prosperity.
Our new Corporate Identity signifies the beginning of the new era of an autonomous SARS. Our aim is to be efficient, friendly, professional and customer-orientated service. SARS strives towards becoming a force to be reckoned with in the financial industries with our total new approach to collecting tax and broadening the tax base and controlling the flow of goods across our borders. The new Corporate Identity forms a small part of the magnitude of important changes happening in SARS; all aimed at serving our country and our clients to the best of our ability and making SARS an approachable customer-orientated organ of the State.
On 1 October 1997, SARS is officially launching the Tax-base Broadening Campaign.
A national task team of 13 members (8 from Head Office and 5 from the regions) was officially established in the beginning of September 1997. All regions have dedicated local teams ready to start from 1 October 1997.
The campaign aims at tracing and registering persons, businesses and employers that are not yet registered for tax purposes.
The campaign will be supported by an extensive communication drive from Communication & Client Service in the form of a Tax Education Campaign. In the Words of Mr Trevor van Heerden, Commissioner: SARS "In the past we concentrated on soft targets. It is now time to widen that base to make certain that everybody contributes. The Tax-base broadening project will be SARS's contribution to the Masakhane Campaign, aimed at ensuring that all South Africans pay their taxes."
Issued by:
Office of the Commissioner
P O Box 402
Pretoria
0001