[LOCKDOWN] Sars outlines measures to cushion the COVID-19 blow

Commissioner Edward Kieswetter says they have diverted customers to their online channels and contact centres.

The South African Revenue Services (Sars) says to comply with the COVID-19 lockdown measures and in the interest of safety, they have decided to close all their offices.

Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter says they have diverted customers to their online channels, as well as their contact centres.

We have in fact enhanced our offering in record time to provide more online registration and other facilities.

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner - Sars

We only deal under rare exception with taxpayers who have tried everything but still need to come to our offices. We do only an appointment, so we have created an online appointment portal...

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner - Sars

New measures have been introduced to help the businesses and employees survive this period.

Kieswetter details these measures.

Taxpayers who wish to benefit from any of the measures must ensure that they are compliant.

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner - Sars

The first measure is available to every employer who employs qualifying employees. In respect of every qualifying employer, an employer through the employee tax incentive scheme can get a subsidy of R500 per qualifying employee, it is to help put some case into these companies so that they don't have to resort to simply retrenching workers.

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner - Sars

The two other incentives apply to SMMEs with a turnover of up to R50 million and they both intended to provide some cash flow relief which is in the first instance the ability to defer up to 20% of the employees tax liability for the period 1 April to 31 July.

Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner - Sars

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