Pretoria - With the end of the 2016 tax season fast approaching, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is extending operating hours at its branches.
“SARS is doing its bit to ensure that taxpayers meet their tax obligations with some SARS branches extending working days to Saturdays for the next two weekends – 12 and 19 November 2016,” SARS said on Thursday.
Tax season will end on 25 November for non-provisional taxpayers.
The branches that will operate on Saturdays from 8am to 1pm are Alberton, Edenvale, Randburg, Rissik Street, Soweto (Orlando East), Vereeniging, Nelspruit, Witbank, Pretoria North, Rustenburg, Durban, Mthatha, Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Bellville and Mitchells Plain.
The branches that will open on Saturdays will exclusively be focusing on assisting taxpayers with the completion of their income tax returns.
“Taxpayers are advised that branches will operate normal hours during the week,” said the revenue service.
SARS has already received over 4.7 million income tax returns.
eFiling
As the deadline approaches, taxpayers are encouraged to use SARS eFiling to submit their tax returns as it is the quickest and easiest way to submit a return and is available 24 hours.
To register, taxpayers can visit www.sarsefiling.gov.za or visit www.sars.gov.za for information.
eFilers requiring assistance can make use of the free Help-You-eFile service by simply clicking on the Help-You-eFile icon on eFiling and following the prompts to get access to a friendly SARS Contact Centre agent who will help them every step of the way while eFiling.
Help for taxpayers
The revenue service will continue to strive to provide the best services possible to taxpayers, even as tax season closes.
“The ever-increasing SARS footprint now extends to 53 branches nationwide, 21 mobile tax units that service taxpayers in remote areas of the country and increased efficiency at the SARS Contact Centre.”
Taxpayers calling the SARS contact centre, who are too busy to be put on hold, can request SARS to call them back without losing their place in the queue. By following the voice prompts, a SARS agent will return calls and provide telephonic assistance.
On Thursday, SARS expressed its appreciation to taxpayers that have submitted their income tax returns.
“Those taxpayers that have not yet submitted their tax returns are encouraged to do so as soon as possible to avoid the last minute rush.” – SAnews.gov.za
