Deadline to submit annual income tax returns looms

The deadline to submit annual income tax returns is looming.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is urging non-provisional taxpayers to file their income-tax returns before Monday, 20 October.

SARS said it's made every effort to simplify and support the filing process through enhanced digital platforms, auto assessment, and accessible helplines. 

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has extended his appreciation to the 80% of taxpayers who had filed before the deadline.

This includes about 6 million taxpayers who have been auto assessed and received their refunds within 72 hours.

With only four days left, the commissioner has warned that failure to submit a return by deadline is a serious offence, and non-compliance can lead to administrative penalties and interest charges.

The revenue service said many taxpayers wait until the last minute to file their returns, hoping to meet the deadline but rushing invites errors, misjudgements, unnecessary stress, and long queues at SARS branches.