SARS adamant: no deadline extension

20 November 2009 - 17:23
By Jacaranda 94.2 FM Newsteam

SARS has again said it will not extend its deadline for the public to submit their tax returns.

With the deadline for submitting tax returns just hours away, numerous people say they are still experiencing problems to submit their tax return forms on e-filing.

The South African Revenue Service says it will not extend today's tax returns deadline, despite the complaints.

Spokesperson Adrian Lakay says so far - they've received more than 3.3 million submissions. He adds there are 5 million people registered as individuals on their tax base. Lackay says yesterday they set a new record by capturing and receiving 160 thousand returns - both on e-filing and at the branch offices.

He says that people had almost five months to submit their returns. “Our experience has shown that if you make the tax season six months, seven months or even eight months, people will still come at the last minute to submit their returns.

“The reality is a deadline must take effect and that deadline is today. If you don’t submit the return you will face the penalty associated with late-payment or with non-compliance,” he said.

This morning, people across trhe country piled up at various SARS branches to submit their returns. See pictures below: