Sars misses revenue collection target
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has missed its revenue collection target of R1.3 trillion for the 2018/2019 financial year.
This is a deficit of R14.6 billion.
Acting commissioner Mark Kingon briefed media on the preliminary revenue outcome for last year in Brooklyn on Monday.
“For the financial year ending on 31 March 2019, Sars collected an amount of R1,287 trillion against the 2019 budget estimate of R1.3 trillion.
“The main sources of revenue that contributed to the R1.287 trillion were personal income tax, value added tax, company income tax and customs duties.”
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The latest revenue announcement comes less than a week after it was announced that Edward Kieswetter will be the new permanent commissioner.
The revenue service has been without a permanent head for a year, since the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to axe Tom Moyane.
Kieswetter will have his work cut out for him with the revenue service crippled by low staff morale since Moyane’s reign.
Sars employees belonging to the Public Servants Association (PSA) and National Education Health and Allied Workers (Nehawu) embarked on strike action last week.
Initial demands were a 11.5% wage increase.
However, the PSA has since accepted a wage settlement from Sars - which will see members get a 8% wage increase.
Sars is still locked in negotiations with Nehawu and would not comment on the issue.