SARS
South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has emphasized the importance of safeguarding tax administrations from across-the-board austerity measures, citing threats to innovation, fiscal integrity, and sovereignty.
Speaking at the 2nd Network of Tax Organisation Technical Conference in Cape Town, Kieswetter highlighted the vital role of digitalization in improving tax compliance and detecting non-compliance while calling for a more prudent approach to budget cuts.
Kieswetter stressed the significance of digitalization and the use of data science and artificial intelligence in revenue collection, compliance, and trade facilitation.
With the growing volume of digital financial transactions and the emergence of central bank digital currencies, tax administrations require continued investment in digitalization to adapt to the changing landscape.
Therefore, Kieswetter urged National Treasuries to avoid across-the-board cuts and prioritize building enabling and productive economic capacity to expand the tax base, preserve fiscal integrity, and maintain sovereignty.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in accelerating the modernization and digitization efforts at SARS. Under the constraints of the pandemic, SARS was prompted to reassess its technology investment and enable employees to work remotely without interrupting taxpayers’ obligations.
However, Kieswetter acknowledged that despite the progress made, SARS still has a long way to go in its digital transformation journey.
The Commissioner highlighted the critical role of funding as an essential enabler of digitalization. Prior to the financial constraints resulting from State capture, SARS led the way in digital modernization.
However, budget freezes in recent years impeded further technological innovation, leaving SARS lagging. While some additional funds have been acquired to restore the modernization efforts, the current level of funding remains significantly inadequate to keep up with the rapidly changing technological environment and the increasing prevalence of tax crimes.
SARS now faces the challenge of not only catching up after years of underinvestment but also accelerating modernization to maintain relevance.
Kieswetter emphasized that digitalization is not a one-time project but an ongoing journey, which demands continued financial support to encourage innovation and prevent regression in comparison to other administrations.
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