The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), highlighting that the agency collected over R900 billion in revenue so far this financial year.
By 30 September 2025, SARS recorded net revenue of R924.7 billion, up R78.6 billion from the previous year, and R18 billion above initial estimates. Nearly half of this growth came from stronger compliance efforts, reflecting a positive trend for the months ahead.
Commissioner Edward Kieswetter expressed support for the Minister’s fiscal roadmap, calling it a clear and practical plan for South Africa’s financial sustainability. He noted that SARS remains committed to boosting revenue collection, improving compliance, and facilitating trade through operational excellence and innovation.
SARS’s compliance programme has also delivered encouraging results, securing R131.6 billion from compliance activities—an increase of R9 billion compared to last year. Debt collections rose to R47.1 billion, up by 7.5%. Kieswetter credited the achievement to the dedication of SARS employees and compliant taxpayers, emphasizing their vital role in strengthening South Africa’s fiscal stability.
Revenue performance remained strong across major tax categories, including Corporate Income Tax (CIT), PAYE, Dividends Tax, Domestic VAT, and the General Fuel Levy.
CIT provisional tax payments reached R164.5 billion, growing by 9.5%, while PAYE collections totaled R371 billion—up by R30.9 billion (9.1%) from last year. Domestic VAT collections increased by R21.1 billion (7.8%), driven by solid performances in the finance, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
SARS also noted improvements in VAT refund management and a 5% growth in General Fuel Levy collections, thanks to increased import declarations. However, the agency acknowledged lower collections in some personal income tax categories, partly due to higher refund payments.
Looking ahead, Kieswetter reaffirmed SARS’s focus on building a smart, modern institution anchored in integrity and trust. He stressed that strong domestic revenue collection remains vital to reducing debt and dependence on external funding.
To further support SARS’s efforts, the government has allocated an additional R7.5 billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (2025–2028). This funding aims to enhance compliance, strengthen operations, and maintain the positive momentum in South Africa’s fiscal outlook.