Latest news with #Kieswetter
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SARS launches 2025 tax filing with enhanced auto assessments and speedy refunds
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened the 2025 tax filing season. Individual taxpayers can file returns from July 21 to October 20, while provisional taxpayers have until January 19, 2026. This year marks a significant expansion of SARS' auto assessment process, with 5.8 million taxpayers receiving automated assessments – up from 5 million in 2024. Of these, 99.6% have not been changed by taxpayers, reflecting accuracy and trust in the system. SARS has already paid out R10.6b in refunds within 72 hours of assessment. ALSO READ: SARS disrupts illicit fuel trade with operations across three provinces The auto assessment process uses third-party data to evaluate taxpayer returns without requiring further input from most individuals. Taxpayers only need to take action if their information is incomplete, which they can correct via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter praised the ongoing digital transformation of SARS, calling the auto assessment process 'a game changer' that aligns with the vision to 'make tax just happen'. He added that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science continues to reduce the need for in-person visits to SARS service centres. Following the auto assessment period, which ran from July 7 to 20, the broader tax filing season is now underway. Most online submissions receive an assessment outcome in less than five seconds, with SARS using advanced AI to detect risks and prevent fraudulent refunds. Digital engagement with SARS continues to rise. More than 10.2 million unique users accessed the SARS eFiling platform or the MobiApp since July 4. SARS handled over 2.1m queries digitally – 1.1 million via the SARS Online Query System, 707 000 through WhatsApp, and 290 000 with the Lwazi Chatbot. To ensure a smooth filing season, SARS urges taxpayers to file accurate information promptly. ALSO READ: SARS enhances eFiling for 2025 season Only refunds over R100 will be automatically paid into taxpayers' verified bank accounts within 72 hours of assessment. Taxpayers who owe SARS should pay promptly or make arrangements to avoid penalties. SARS also warned the public to remain vigilant against scams. SARS reminds taxpayers that it will never send clickable links via SMS or email to request sensitive information. Report suspicious messages to [email protected], and the latest scam alerts are available at Kieswetter emphasised the convenience of digital platforms and advised taxpayers to avoid unnecessary visits to service centres. He encouraged all taxpayers to use eFiling and other digital services for quicker and more secure compliance. For more information, visit or contact SARS via WhatsApp on 0800 117 277, or dial 1347277#.
The Citizen
23-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tax season opens with expanded auto assessments, faster refunds
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened the 2025 tax filing season. Individual taxpayers can file returns from July 21 to October 20, while provisional taxpayers have until January 19, 2026. This year marks a significant expansion of SARS' auto assessment process, with 5.8 million taxpayers receiving automated assessments – up from 5 million in 2024. Of these, 99.6% have not been changed by taxpayers, reflecting accuracy and trust in the system. SARS has already paid out R10.6b in refunds within 72 hours of assessment. ALSO READ: SARS 2025 Tax Season: What's new on eFiling The auto assessment process uses third-party data to evaluate taxpayer returns without requiring further input from most individuals. Taxpayers only need to take action if their information is incomplete, which they can correct via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter praised the ongoing digital transformation of SARS, calling the auto assessment process 'a game changer' that aligns with the vision to 'make tax just happen'. ALSO READ: Get ready: SARS tax season starts July 7 He added that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and data science continues to reduce the need for in-person visits to SARS service centres. Following the auto assessment period, which ran from July 7 to 20, the broader tax filing season is now underway. Most online submissions receive an assessment outcome in less than five seconds, with SARS using advanced AI to detect risks and prevent fraudulent refunds. Digital engagement with SARS continues to rise. More than 10.2 million unique users accessed the SARS eFiling platform or the MobiApp since July 4. SARS handled over 2.1m queries digitally – 1.1 million via the SARS Online Query System, 707 000 through WhatsApp, and 290 000 with the Lwazi Chatbot. To ensure a smooth filing season, SARS urges taxpayers to file accurate information promptly. ALSO READ: EMPD brokers peace between taxi drivers and scholar transport operators Only refunds over R100 will be automatically paid into taxpayers' verified bank accounts within 72 hours of assessment. Taxpayers who owe SARS should pay promptly or make arrangements to avoid penalties. SARS also warned the public to remain vigilant against scams. SARS reminds taxpayers that it will never send clickable links via SMS or email to request sensitive information. Report suspicious messages to [email protected], and the latest scam alerts are available at Kieswetter emphasised the convenience of digital platforms and advised taxpayers to avoid unnecessary visits to service centres. He encouraged all taxpayers to use eFiling and other digital services for quicker and more secure compliance. For more information, visit or contact SARS via WhatsApp on 0800 117 277, or dial 1347277#. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
18-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SARS refunds R10.6 billion to 5.8 million auto assessed SA tax payers
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has hailed a significant milestone in its digital transformation drive, confirming that 5.8 million taxpayers were issued auto assessments this year – an increase from 5 million in 2024. According to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, 99.6% of these assessments remained unchanged by taxpayers, underscoring the growing accuracy and public trust in the automated system. So far, R10.6 billion in refunds have been paid to qualifying taxpayers – within 72 hours of assessment. That's an average refund of R1 828. 'Auto assessment has truly been a game changer,' Kieswetter said. 'We are delivering faster, more efficient services that remove the need for in-person visits, making it easier for taxpayers to comply.' SARS auto assessment is a system where SARS pre-fills tax returns using third-party data, such as salary, medical aid, and retirement contributions. For most taxpayers, no action is required, unless they need to add missing information via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. The auto assessment period ran from 7 to 20 July 2025, ahead of the manual filing season opening on 21 July. SARS also reported a dramatic increase in the use of digital platforms: 10.2 million unique logins to SARS platforms since 4 July 2.1 million digital queries processed 1.1 million handled via the SARS Online Query System (SOQS) 707 000 via WhatsApp 290 000 through the Lwazi Chat Bot 'Ultimately, our aim is to make the best service to be no service at all,' Kieswetter said, reiterating SARS's vision to make tax compliance seamless and digital-first. Auto-assessments : 7–20 July 2025 : 7–20 July 2025 Individual Taxpayers : 21 July – 20 October 2025 : 21 July – 20 October 2025 Provisional Taxpayers and Trusts: 21 July 2025 – 19 January 2026 Most online submissions now receive an assessment outcome in under 5 seconds, supported by AI-driven risk detection tools that help block fraudulent or impermissible refunds. With the growing use of online services, SARS is also warning taxpayers to remain alert for scams. They stressed that SARS will never send clickable links via email or SMS. Phishing attempts should be reported to phishing@ SARS reminded those who owe tax to make payment arrangements promptly to avoid penalties and interest. Only refunds over R100 will be automatically paid into taxpayer accounts. As the 2025 filing season officially begins, SARS is encouraging all taxpayers to use digital channels rather than visiting physical service centres. 'There is no need to queue. Use our digital tools to get assessed and stay compliant,' Kieswetter concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
AI powers Sars efficiencies, says Kieswetter at G20 Zimbali meet
But regulators caution against unchecked risk. Edward Kieswetter says Sars has used machine learning and AI to assess 65% of taxpayers without requiring them to submit a tax return. Picture: Moneyweb The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has had great success with its tax collection efforts, thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) – and the absence of overly rigid regulation of new technology. 'We are on a path that has no [precedent] and therefore one must balance the development of policy and practice,' said Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter on Thursday, when representatives of central banks, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) took part in a roundtable discussion about the role of AI in financial systems. The discussion was a side event of the G20 Finance Track meeting, which is taking place at the Zimbali Resort in KwaZulu-Natal. 'If policy gets too far ahead of practice, we may in fact suppress the experimentation and the exploration of new technology,' Kieswetter notes. He says Sars has already used machine learning and AI to assess 65% of taxpayers – nine days into the tax filing season – without requiring them to submit a tax return. 'We've drawn only on third-party data and used machine learning, algorithms, and AI to perform the assessment and fraud risk detection.' Twenty years ago, it took Sars six months to assess six million taxpayers. 'This year, they will not have to file. And for the two million who choose to file, they will receive an assessment in under five seconds.' Within the first nine days of the 2025 tax season, Sars had already paid out R12 billion in refunds and raised R3.5 billion in assessments. Kieswetter notes that the use of AI also helped Sars prevent R5.5 billion in impermissible refunds. ALSO READ: Sars makes changes to eFiling for easy use 'New and complex risks' Opening the roundtable discussion on Thursday, South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago warned that while AI holds significant potential for financial innovation and inclusion, it also introduces new and complex risks that make supervision challenging. 'Our mandate tends to converge on key fundamentals to safeguard financial stability, to uphold efficient operation of financial markets, and to deliver consumer protection. These are not abstracts, they are tangible promises we've made to our constituents.' Kganyago added that AI brings 'a profound duality – a landscape of immense opportunity interwoven with significant risk'. On one hand, it can enhance risk detection at both the institutional and system-wide levels, improve consumer credit scoring, and deepen inclusion. But these same tools can also amplify market shocks and perpetuate bias. Kganyago emphasised the need for regulators to remain committed to core mandates while adapting to new technologies. 'Technology will change. The tools we use will evolve beyond recognition. But our mandate remains constant – ensuring stability in the value of the monies of the people who are the users of the financial system.' ALSO READ: Sars records increase in taxpayers who filed returns AI adoption in South Africa's financial sector Katherine Gibson, divisional head at the FSCA, provided new insights from a soon-to-be-published joint survey conducted with the Prudential Authority. The survey covered nearly 2 000 institutions across banking, payments, insurance, fintech and more, to gauge how AI is being used across South Africa's financial sector. 'It reveals a sector that is cautiously optimistic about AI's potential, and, as expected, a range in the pace of adoption,' according to Gibson. In 2024, global financial sector investment in AI exceeded $50 billion (R892.7 billion), with projections to surpass $150 billion (R2.7 trillion) annually by 2028. She says locally, fintechs are leading AI uptake, with two-thirds already deploying it. Over 50% of banks have followed suit, while insurance and lending sectors are more reserved, with adoption rates under 10%. 'Banks are investing almost 20 times more than the rest of the sector.' ALSO READ: Economists say they are confident in Sars However, she stresses that with innovation comes responsibility. 'We must ensure that hyper-personalisation does not become a byword for hyper-exploitation and that generative AI chatbots are not mis-selling complex products to consumers who do not understand them.' She warns that some institutions have not implemented transparency safeguards. 'About one fifth of SA institutions reported not using any explainability models or methods for their AI models, which raises questions about transparency and accountability and consumer protection.' For many institutions, South Africa's data protection law (Popia) is seen as the top constraint to AI adoption. Gibson disagrees with the notion that regulation is a barrier. 'These are not barriers to innovation, but essential guardrails to ensure tech serves the public good.' ALSO READ: Sars gets AI to sniff out tax evaders OECD flags risk of market volatility OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann warns that generative AI brings growing threats of financial fraud, scams and cyber attacks – particularly as global financial markets become increasingly connected through similar AI tools. 'The use of AI in financial markets could also increase market volatility for a significant number of participants that rely on similar AI models, leading to a convergence of trade and feedback loops between models,' Cormann cautions. The OECD's most recent risk monitor found that AI use in credit assessments and insurance underwriting can compromise privacy and lead to discrimination. He says competition, rather than concentration, would be key to securing the benefits of AI in finance. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Scammers target tax refunds
'SARS will never ask for personal details.' This reassurance was delivered by South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Edward Kieswetter in an interview with Newzroom Afrika. As anticipation around tax season mounts, so are the fraudulent schemes of scammers – who are targeting taxpayers with links sent via SMS. 'The scam is an SMS indicating that Sars is conducting an audit on a tax refund. The link leads you to a phishing website, aimed at stealing your information,' warned Kieswetter. 'We caution taxpayers not to press through on links that appear via text messages because these will not be coming from Sars.' Once a person has provided fraudsters with their personal information, there is nothing the revenue service can do to reverse the redirected funds. Kieswetter said some banks have phishing detection software, but if a taxpayer's bank account has been fraudulently accessed and the bank fails to pick it up, taxpayers should enquire with their bank. He urged citizens not to share their passwords with friends, family or even tax practitioners, as this act of 'trust' often leads to fraudulent activity. While paid funds are irreversible, Kieswetter confirmed that Sars does launch criminal investigations with the Hawks and SAPS. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
