The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is hard at work ensuring that its digital platforms and technology infrastructure are robust and secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements and maintenance.
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In accordance with its Vision and Strategic Objectives, which include modernising its systems to provide Digital and Streamlined online services, SARS will run upgrades on its digital platforms on Friday, 18 October 2024 from 18:00 to 22:00.
SARS warned that during this period users may experience intermittent service interruption on its eFiling, Tax and Customs Digital Platforms.
Responses (CUSRES messages) to transactions submitted during this time will be delayed, however, arrival and exit management functions are available at land border posts for all released declarations and manifests.
Stakeholders are therefore urged to submit all Goods Declarations (bills of entry) and Road Manifest, especially those deemed priority, by Friday, 18 October 2024 at 17:00.
In a statement on it’s website, SARS added: Achieving our Vision 2024 of a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired is of paramount importance. Pivotal to the delivery of our vision are our digital platforms and technology infrastructure. To provide clarity and certainty, make it easy for taxpayers and traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets must demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.
New SARS WhatsApp channel
Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, SARS has launched a new WhatsApp channel for taxpayers to access information regarding their tax refunds and other tax-related queries quicker than before.
The channel is specifically for tax queries related to personal income tax, the service said, and is available on both the mobile and desktop versions of WhatsApp.
Finally, South Africans are reminded that the closing date for individual taxpayers to submit their tax returns is 21 October 2024, while the deadline for provisional taxpayers is 20 January 2025.
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