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6.2.7 MODERNISING CASE MANAGEMENT
6.2.6 MODERNISING VAT
The initiative to modernise SARS’s Case Management System aims to overcome the limitations of SARS’s current fragmented and outdated technology landscape, which hinders operational efficiency and the user experience. By embedding modern technologies such as AI and data science, SARS plans to shift from a reactive model to a proactive, taxpayer- centric approach, enhancing voluntary compliance through personalised interactions, full case transparency, and faster services. This strategic, phased approach will involve assessing the current state, defining business requirements, identifying future capabilities, designing an implementation roadmap, developing the solution, and continuously improving it. The goal is to create an intelligent, data-driven platform that supports proactive risk management and delivers a seamless digital experience for taxpayers and internal users.
This initiative aims to enhance the taxpayer experience, facilitate voluntary compliance, and eliminate significant administrative inefficiencies and lost revenue by using a globally recognised VAT-modernisation approach. The current VAT system imposes a substantial burden on vendors, making it susceptible to fraud and non- compliance. By adopting a best-practice model, SARS seeks to enhance the taxpayer experience through automated tax-data submission, ultimately automatically assessing VAT liabilities by drawing on trusted data sources across the value chain, as well as harmonised cross-border trade. This initiative will involve close collaboration with SARB and extensive stakeholder engagement for a smooth rollout over the next five years.
6.2.8 MODERNISING CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ADMINISTRATION – ACCELERATE PHYSICAL AND TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AT PORTS OF ENTRY (WITH OGAS)
This initiative aims to resolve inefficiencies in cross-border processes and improve service delivery to traders. It involves enhancing predictive risk analytics, redesigning cross-border e-commerce, and continuing the smart-border roll-out. The project also includes improving customs connectivity among stakeholders and implementing Single Window functionality to make the value chain more visible. For excise, the initiative will introduce a new approach to registration and licensing, transitioning from manual periodic return submissions to automatically populated transaction-based returns. This modernisation effort is aligned with SARS’s strategic objectives and focuses on reducing the administrative burden for taxpayers while improving service quality. Collaboration with the Border Management Agency (BMA) is a key partnership to leverage infrastructure and systems.
SARS Modernisation White Paper 2025/26 – 2029/30
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