South Africa's Corporate Tax Compliance Improving, Says SARS Commissioner

by Robert Lee, Tax-News.com, London

25 July 2002

The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Pravin Gordhan has praised the country's corporate taxpayers, revealing that significant improvements in compliance have allowed the government to grant tax relief of around R30 billion over the past three fiscal years.

Speaking at a press conference prior to a function hosted by business monthly Leadership Magazine this week, the SARS Commissioner announced that:

'This improvement is due to the greater willingness of companies to work with the SARS based on mutual respect. It is also as a result of a greater awareness amongst individuals of the benefits of an efficient revenue collection service, as this helps to lower tax rates, improve the provision of governnment services and level the playing field amongst economic role players.'

He added that: 'Improved tax collection has allowed the Minister of Finance to grant tax relief amounting to R30 billion over the past three fiscal years, while at the same time significantly boosting spending on infrastructure.'

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