The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is encouraged by the display of corporate leadership today by Sasol and its CE, Pat Davies, regarding tax compliance.
After a brief meeting, SARS Commissioner, Pravin Gordhan, and Pat Davies witnessed the submission of tax returns by Sasol employees. Mr. Davies also encouraged Sasol employees to become or remain tax compliant by completing and submitting their income tax returns on time.
The deadline for submitting income tax returns is 31 October 2007.
"In this year's Budget Speech the Minister of Finance reminded us that 'human life has equal worth'. Rank in an organisation has no relevance when it comes to being good fiscal citizens. All employees, including myself, have an equal obligation to be tax compliant," Davies said.
As part of this year's Filing Season activities, SARS has been engaging big employers to assist their employees on-site with completing their income tax returns. Whilst this approach is convenient for employees, the employer is also not unduly affected by employees having to be away from the workplace to visit a SARS office.
The meeting between Commissioner Gordhan and Davies forms part of SARS's ongoing commitment to support companies and their employees with meeting tax obligations.
SARS officials have been present at various Sasol offices over a number of days to assist employees with completing their returns. These include the plants in Sasolburg and Secunda that employ thousands of people.
"Sasol today has set a good standard for the rest of corporate South Africa by illustrating that tax compliance must be part of good corporate fiscal citizenship," Commissioner Gordhan said.
To date SARS has received close to 2 million income tax returns. The extension of taxpayer services continues to encourage the rate of submission of returns.
[Photos are available on request]
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA