Pretoria - A large number of South African taxpayers have decided to get a head start on their claims just one month into the 2010 tax collection season.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) says it received 761 231 tax returns from individual taxpayers since the tax season began on 1 July.
"At the same time last year SARS had received 584 742 individual tax returns, which means that 176 489, or 23% more taxpayers have filed this year compared to the same time last year," SARS spokesperson Adrian Lackay said on Wednesday.
Of those who submitted their returns, 746 555 were electronic submissions while 14 676 were manual submissions. According to SARS, over 600 000 of the returns have been returned.
Commissioner Oupa Magashula attributes the speedy filing of returns to an improved compliance culture by taxpayers who have noticed the benefits of filing their returns early. The benefits of filing early include quicker refunds to taxpayers.
"I would like to thank all taxpayers who have filed early and trust that other taxpayers will also heed our call to file now and avoid the congestion that occurs as the various deadlines approach," said Commissioner Magashula.
The deadline for postal submissions for provisional and non provisional taxpayers is on 30 September 2010, while the deadline for electronic submissions through SARS branches and eFiling for non provisional taxpayers and trusts is on 26 November 2010. The deadline for electronic submissions through SARS branches and eFiling for provisional taxpayers and trusts is on 31 January 2011.
Taxpayers requiring assistance can contact the Revenue Services on 0800 00 72 77.
