Taxpayers will be able to file their tax returns online by Monday, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) said on Friday.
Commissioner Pravin Gordhan told reporters in Johannesburg that the new electronic filing system would enable taxpayers to have their assessments done easier and faster.
The e-filing system would also make it possible for Sars to refund taxpayers more quickly.
Gordhan said the new system, which would cost R40-million, came with a security feature that made it difficult for people to manipulate it.
Its total cost included expansion of infrastructure to areas far from towns and cities, and training of staff.
None of the 10 000 people employed at Sars would lose their jobs because of the new system.
He said taxpayers need not submit any supporting documents with their tax returns this year, but should keep them safe for five years in case of queries.
”What is needed is to transcribe information from the documents into the tax-return form,” he said.
Taxpayers had until October 31 to submit tax returns this year and would be given no extension.
In the coming year tax forms would be submitted in July as usual, he said.
Taxpayers wanting to file online should go to www.sarsefiling.co.za — Sapa