SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRESS STATEMENT

30 MAY 2006

EFILING FOR INDIVIDUALS GOES LIVE

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is pleased to remind South African taxpayers that by midnight tomorrow, Wednesday 31 May 2006, a free electronic facility goes live through which individuals can submit their income tax returns via the internet for the first time.

Earlier today SARS briefed and demonstrated this efiling service to members of the Portfolio Committee on Finance in Parliament.

Potentially some 2.7 million individuals who earn a basic salary of more than R60 000 per annum or a basic salary with allowances will be able to submit their tax returns through the internet. In these instances the taxpayer would be in possession of an IT 12S or IT 12SS income tax return from SARS.

This is the first phase of eventually extending the electronic submission (filing) facility to all individuals and businesses.

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 (There is a 48 hour turnaround time to acknowledge registration by SARS)
• 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.

It should be noted that:

• SARS may under certain circumstances still require the submission of original documents for purposes of verification
• Taxpayers must retain all supporting documents for a period of five years should they be required by SARS for audit purposes

SARS will issue these assessments electronically.

eFiling will provide an opportunity for taxpayers to change basic personal details like residential and postal addresses.

• What are the benefits to the taxpayers who submit their returns electronically?
• Taxpayers are assured of data accuracy thereby enhancing the quality of assessments.
• Improved turn around time for the processing of assessments.
• By replying to a few questions upfront, a customised return will be presented for completion thereby eliminating questions that are not relevant to the individual taxpayer.
• The determination of Travelling expenditure and Capital Gains Tax will be automatically calculated from the taxpayer?s information.
• SARS will support the introduction of this service with online instructions and a dedicated call centre: 0860 709 709 with effect from 1 June 2006.

Taxpayers can register for this service at www.sarsefiling.co.za

ENDS

ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA