SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRESS STATEMENT

12 JUNE 2006

EFILING GETS ITS 1000TH USER

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to announce that the 1000th South African taxpayer submitted his income tax return by using the electronic online filing facility SARS made available to individuals on 1 June this year.

Mr Edward Baney, a taxpayer from Randburg, Johannesburg, submitted his tax returns through efiling on Thursday, 8 June 2006. He is of the view that "efiling is the best thing SARS could have introduced to taxpayers".

Uptake of the efiling facility during the last 9 days has been very encouraging; averaging about 1 000 registrations per day. By yesterday 8 646 registrations had been captured.

Of this number 6 371 users can already submit their income tax returns online.

Still, SARS must encourage taxpayers to submit their returns early as there is slightly more than a month left before the Filing Season deadline of 14 July 2006. To date a total of more than 515 000 returns were received by SARS from branch offices around the country and through efiling.

This year SARS issued more than 3.4 million returns to individuals and have received back more than one sixth of returns issued. Completing and submitting returns early would mean that taxpayers can avoid long queues and the last minute rush to SARS offices during the final days leading to the deadline.

This phenomenon repeats itself every year and does cause frustrations among taxpayers. The efiling facility was launched for the first time this year to make it more convenient for taxpayers to file their returns and to avoid long queues.

Electronic filing remains available to taxpayers who earn a basic salary of more than R60 000 per annum or a basic salary with allowances.

Taxpayers who want to make use of the electronic submission facility [must]:

• Have access to the internet (employers are encouraged to make such internet facilities available to employees),
• First register for the service on the website, www.sarsefiling.co.za
• Agree to the terms and conditions for use of this service,
• Be in receipt of an IT 12S or IT 12SS income tax return,
• Receive income that consists of a basic salary or basic salary plus allowances.

Taxpayers who choose to file their returns manually are reminded to prepare the following documentation when submitting their return:

• IRP 5 Certificate from employer
• Medical Aid Statement
• Retirement Annuity Contribution Certificate
• IT3(b) from financial institution
• All supporting documentation to substantiate claims

Taxpayers with general Filing Season enquiries can contact the SARS call centre at 0860 12 12 18. For technical queries regarding eFiling the helpline 0860 709 709 is available.

* Please note that the taxpayer, Mr. Baney, gave consent for his details to be publicised and that he is prepared to comment should this be required.

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA