Ramaphosa lauds SARS for improved tax collection of over R1.5 trillion

CYRIL RAMAPHOSA|

LAST week, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced in its preliminary tax revenue collection outcome that it had collected over R1.5 trillion between April 2021 and March 2022.

This a 25% improvement over the previous year and a 15% increase over the last year prior to the COVID pandemic.

Over the same period, SARS also paid out its highest amount in tax refunds since it was established 25 years ago. 

A competent tax revenue collection agency is at the heart of building a capable state. 

Tax revenue propels our nation’s development. The money collected by SARS finances service delivery and infrastructure.

Through the R17.8 trillion that SARS has collected since its establishment in 1997, we have been able to build more social infrastructure like clinics, schools and hospitals, upgrade and build new roads, and support society’s most vulnerable through social grants and other measures. 

When tax revenue