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SARS launches WhatsApp channel to check tax status
- 10 July 2024
- SARS Issues
- South African Accounting Academy
The channel is specifically for tax queries related to personal income tax, the service said, and is available on both the mobile and desktop versions of WhatsApp.
SAVE THE WHATSAPP NUMBER
To engage SARS via WhatsApp:
- From your mobile phone: save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, in your contact list;
- From your desktop: Click here to launch the SARS WhatsApp desktop version and follow the prompts.
To initiate an interaction, taxpayers should simply text a greeting i.e., “Hi or Hello”.
SARS will respond with a description of the service offerings and a service request menu.
You can do the following via WhatsApp:
- Request your Tax Reference Number
- Request your Statement of Account
- Request your Return Refund Status
- Request your Audit Status
- Request your Notice of Assessment
To authenticate you successfully, you will need to WhatsApp us from your mobile device number registered on the SARS systems.
For more information, see the Mobile Services webpage and the Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services.
Click here to read more detail:
https://www.sars.gov.za/latest-news/sars-launched-a-self-service-whatsapp-channel/
Relevance to Auditors, Independent Reviewers & Accountants:
- The Income Tax Act is yet another piece of legislation that your clients must comply with, and which you must assess compliance with. If they don’t comply with the relevant laws and regulations, you have certain reporting obligations in terms of NOCLAR (NOn-Compliance with Laws And Regulations) – this could include reporting to management, qualifying your audit opinion, reporting a Reportable Irregularity, etc.
- Individual taxpayers and trusts, must submit their 2024 income tax return to SARS before the relevant deadline date.
- Tax practitioners should inform their tax clients of the penalties & interest that SARS will levy on late income tax return submissions.
- It is important to remain aware of new developments announced by SARS, e.g. their new WhatsApp channel.
Relevance to Your Clients:
- Individual taxpayers and trusts, must submit their 2024 income tax return to SARS before the relevant deadline date.