/ 8 July 2004

Tax return deadline extended

Tax returns can still be handed in on Saturday, the South African Revenue Services (Sars) announced on Thursday.

Sars offices throughout the country will remain open on Saturday to accommodate taxpayers who are unable to file their tax returns during the week.

Any return received on Saturday will be deemed to have been received by the official Friday (July 9) deadline.

Those wanting to apply for extensions would also get a break, Sars said.

Sars offices will still consider individual requests for extensions until Saturday July 10, although the official deadline for extensions was June 30.

Sars expects a last-minute rush of tax returns for the 2003/04 tax year in the next two days, which is why it decided to extend the deadline.

Those who do not submit tax returns will face serious consequences, Sars warned. — Sapa