SARS Extends Tax Deadline

SARS has extended the deadline for sub-mitting e-filing returns.

Additional time has been set aside for the submission of income tax returns, the SA Revenue Service has said.

Taxpayers using eFiling have until February 5 to submit their income tax returns electronically, SARS said. Until January 23 – the initial deadline – SARS will complete and capture returns electronically at any SARS office.

After that date all returns will have to be submitted electronically via eFiling. “Taxpayers who encounter problems are advised to go to a SARS branch office for assistance.”

From IOL – 15 January 2009

The reason given by SARS for the extension is that the e-filing website has been unable to handle the load of all the people submitting Tax returns. I do suggest that you check with your local SARS office and make sure that this news story is correct (assuming you can get through).