“Tax complexity itself is a kind of tax” (Max Baucus)

NOTE: Bear in mind that although many of the resources mentioned below are addressed by SARS to you as a private taxpayer, there is just no substitute for professional advice and assistance when it comes to matters of tax.

 

“SMME Connect # 1”, the January issue of a new SARS newsletter for SMMEs available here, has focused on the issues around tax compliance in the sector. In the letter SARS acknowledges problems around the pandemic that lead to increased difficulty for SMMEs attempting to meet their tax obligations saying, “We acknowledge that the COVID-19 pandemic has impaired our ability to be physically ‘At Your Service’ as we had to limit the number of taxpayer visits at SARS branches and promote digital channels”. It adds, however, that the bulk of the problem comes from the fact that business owners in the sector either find their obligations difficult to understand, or are not aware of their obligations, and just what is required of them.

In acknowledging the problem SARS has also stated that its direct aim is to make the processes simpler, increase knowledge around requirements and ultimately to bring all SMMEs up to date on their tax compliance. This is what the letter, aligned with a new initiative called Vision 2024, sets out to correct.

 

Aligned with “Vision 2024”?

In March 2020 SARS introduced their new Vision 2024, which they said was an attempt to update the goals and services of SARS in order to improve efficiency and their ability to collect owed taxes.

“Our Vision 2024 is to build a smart modern SARS with unquestionable integrity admired by Government and public and our international peers. We proceed from the base that all taxpayers are honest and if we make it easy and seamless, compliance will increase simultaneously,” SARS said in a statement at the time.

In line with this, SARS’ new newsletter endeavours to not place blame for past non-compliance. The issue in fact begins with a number of startling stats on the SMME sector in the time of the pandemic. SARS says “95% of SMMEs reported a decrease in revenue attributed to the consumers’ inability to earn income” and that “90% of SMMEs are either struggling or temporarily closed”. The purpose of these stats is for SARS to say, “We understand your plight and aren’t out to get you.” It goes on to state that “When you comply with your tax obligations, you place your business at an advantage by eliminating the potential cost of non-compliance and administrative penalties.”

 

What are the changes?

In order to simplify the system and make it easier for SMMEs to meet their tax obligations SARS has introduced a number of new measures, initiatives and system upgrades.

The first step is to confirm your “tax compliance status.” This can be done by acquiring a tax compliance pin. The process for doing this is illustrated on a simple YouTube video. The pin can then be used by your accountant over the next 12 months to verify your compliance status.

In addition, SARS has also introduced an online query system designed at assisting taxpayers to raise queries with SARS without going into a SARS branch or calling the contact centre. The query system allows taxpayers to fill in a form and, amongst other things, request a tax number, submit supporting documents, submit a payment allocation, report new estate cases, register a tax representative, make tax compliance status requests and verify tax compliance status.

SARS has also introduced a new “Enhanced Debt Management” process, which will allow taxpayers to arrange debt repayments directly through eFiling for four separate tax types: Personal Income Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Value-Added Tax and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE). Previously, taxpayers could only make payment arrangements via a debt collector who had been appointed by SARS, in person at a SARS branch, utilising the debt management regional email addresses, or on the My Compliance Profile (MCP) on eFiling.

The new Enhanced Debt Management Process easily allows individuals and companies to catch up on outstanding administrative penalties and taxes from a number of different pages on the site and gives them the ability to:

1. Initiate and simulate a payment arrangement, with an instalment plan of up to 36 months,
2. Supply the reason for the request and preferred method of payment,
3. Attach mandatory supporting documents where required,
4. Submit the request if they meet qualifying criteria.

These new facilities come with a reminder for business owners to also submit their own income taxes, which are a requirement in law that can affect the business’ compliance status.

Communication and social media

Finally, SARS has also updated their communications generally, with the newsletter only being one of three communication tools to educate people on their obligations. While the best solution remains conferring with a professional for all possible tax solutions, SARS’ new YouTube channel, which covers such diverse topics as, Understanding Tax Compliance Status, Illicit Trade and Counterfeit Procedures, Value-Added-Tax, Turnover Tax, Registration, Licencing and Accreditation and more, will certainly help the modern SMME owner to better understand their responsibilities when it comes to taxes.

SARS has also encouraged SMME owners to follow the service on social media through the following channels: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.