The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a record preliminary gross revenue collection of R2.303 trillion for the fiscal year ending March 2025, marking a 6.9% increase compared to the previous year.
After accounting for refunds totaling R447.7 billion—the highest ever paid by SARS and an 8.2% increase from the prior year—the net revenue stands at R1.855 trillion. This net amount exceeds the revised estimate by R8.8 billion and is R114 billion higher than the previous year’s collection of R1.741 trillion.
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter attributed this achievement to the dedication of the organization’s 13,000 employees, stating, “Without the people, we are nothing.” He also emphasized SARS’s commitment to fostering a culture of voluntary compliance and enhancing service offerings to taxpayers.
Despite the challenging economic environment, SARS reported robust collections from sectors such as finance, community services, wholesale, and construction. Additionally, personal income tax collections saw healthy gains, partly due to withdrawals under the “two pot” pension reform implemented last year, which allowed fund members to make partial withdrawals before retirement to assist those in financial distress.
Kieswetter also highlighted concerns regarding refund fraud, noting that SARS prevented the outflow of R146.7 billion in impermissible refunds during the period under review. He reiterated SARS’s commitment to serving South Africans by building a capable state that caters to all, emphasizing the organization’s role as a cornerstone of the nation’s democracy.
This record-breaking revenue collection underscores SARS’s pivotal role in funding South Africa’s democracy and reflects the effectiveness of its strategies to enhance compliance and revenue collection amid economic challenges.
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