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Date : 03/04/2006
Source: South African Revenue Service
Title: Manuel: SARS preliminary revenue results


Media statement by the Minister of Finance, Trevor A Manuel, on the preliminary revenue results for the fiscal year 2005/06

Pretoria - I am pleased to announce that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has, by midnight on Friday, 31 March 2006, collected R418.116 billion.

This is more than R1 billion above the revised 2006 budget estimate of R417 billion and R45.3 billion more than the original printed estimate of R372.8 billion.

This is an extraordinary effort in the face of a formidable target in an optimistic but changing economic environment. This surpasses all previous performances by SARS.

In his State of the Nation address to Parliament in February this year, President Thabo Mbeki reminded South Africans that this country has entered its ‘age of hope.’ The preliminary revenue result we announce today gives further credence and justification to the mood of optimism and confidence in the country and our ability to fund our ambition for a better life for all South Africans.

The collection of revenue is a key enabler of government’s programme of action to invest in infrastructure, provide more basic services and build our human capability. By contributing R45.3 billion more than we had originally estimated, South Africa’s taxpayers provided the impetus for accelerated delivery and growth while at the same time paving the way for the significant tax relief I announced in February.

This revenue performance is a credit to all South Africans in particular the growing number of tax compliant fiscal citizens who contribute their fair share to the growth and development of our country. The government of South Africa thanks you!

We also want to thank our corporate taxpayers who contributed about two thirds of the R16 billion that was collected on the last day of the financial year.

The initial target of R372.8 billion was based on a set of macroeconomic assumptions that changed significantly for the better during 2005. The actual performance of the economy turned out to be better than these assumptions. One of the consequential benefits was an acceleration of commercial activity on the supply of goods and services on the back of an increased consumption demand. This resulted in an increase in gross domestic product, imports, gross operating surpluses and gross domestic expenditure over this period. In addition, corporate income which slowed down for a substantial part of 2004 and started to accelerate when the initial estimates for 2005/06 were made, grew strongly during 2005.

On the other hand incomes for individuals were subject to different dynamics resulting in lower collection of personal income tax. The revenue outcome for 2005/06 is a fair reflection of current economic conditions as well as improvements in tax administration.

The revenue target was adjusted twice during the financial year in the October Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) and in the budget on 15 February this year. The upward adjustments of the revenue target again tested the capabilities of SARS.

The 15 000 SARS employees continue to serve the people of South Africa with pride and passion. Among them we must recognise the efforts of customs officials who work under difficult conditions at the border posts of this country.

South Africa and its people are now reaping the rewards of an upbeat economy, improved tax compliance and civic responsibility and a steadily improving tax and customs administration.

Specific highlights of this year’s revenue collections are:

1. Personal income tax (including interest)

R125,4 billion was collected, which is below the February 2006 estimate of R126,46 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R117,64 billion. The South African Reserve Bank quarterly bulletin stated that the rate of increase in the compensation of employees slowed from 9.43 percent in 2004 to 8.89 percent in 2005 and the lower collection amount must be viewed within this context.

2. Value added tax

R114,96 billion was collected. This is in line with the February 2006 estimate of R115,0 billion and R8,99 billion above the February 2005 estimate of R105,98 billion.

The increased collection was driven mainly by the growth in real household expenditure, which was seven percent in 2005 compared to an increase of 6.5 percent in 2004. This was the highest annual growth rate in real consumption expenditure by households since 1981.

3. Corporate income tax (including interest)

R88,79 billion was collected. Corporate income tax once again performed much better than expected. This is R2,87 billion above the February 2006 estimate of R85,92 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R69,62 billion.

The better performance is a result of continued strong economic growth and a more comprehensive approach by the large business centre of SARS to improve corporate compliance.

Growth in gross operating surpluses of business enterprises increased by 8.73 percent in 2005 versus 8.28 percent in 2004 and the better performance is mainly in the following sectors: * Financial services
* Insurance
* Telecommunication
* Wholesale and retail trade
* Construction
* Real estate and business services

The efforts of SARS officials to ensure that provisional corporate tax payments reflected the latest profit positions (application of paragraph 19(3), yielded R12,5 billion in 2005/06 versus R7.3 billion in 2004/05. This involved both better and proactive relationship management between SARS and some corporates and where necessary the application of the paragraph 19(3) of the Income Tax Act. In addition specific tracking and active follow ups of large payments ensured the timeous payments of taxes due. Regrettably many companies still under declare their provisional income tax payments.

A number of large companies that were not expected to make any contribution have come out of an assessed loss position during this year contributing a further R1,6 billion.

SARS has proactively detected and successfully challenged a number of aggressive tax avoidance schemes. This resulted in a further R1 billion. Examples of the typical practices includes the incorrect allocation of revenue expenditure to capital accounts, the abuse of share allocation schemes, the inappropriate use of international tax structures as well as aggressive loan financing structures.

4. Secondary tax companies

R12,26 billion was collected which is R414 million above the February 2006 estimate of R11,85 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R8,7 billion.

The increase from the printed February 2005 estimate to the February 2006 estimate is due to corporations declaring sizable increases in dividends. The growth in dividends declared in 2005 was 17.46 percent which is double the growth in company gross operating surpluses of 8.73 percent in 2005.

Special collection efforts by SARS contributed approximately R263 million to the total amount collected.

5. Transfer duties

R8,51 billion was collected which is R191 million below the February 2006 estimate of R8,7 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R7,95 billion. Although turnover in the real estate market remained brisk in 2005, the growth in activity slowed from the previous year. The impact of the reduced transfer duty rate effective from March 2006 was not substantial in the March collections.

6. Excise duties and ad-valorem

R15,72 billion was collected which is close to the February 2006 estimate of R15,8 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R15,7 billion.

7. Fuel levy

R20,49 billion was collected which is R209 million below the February 2006 estimate. The February 2005 estimate was R20,65 billion.

Fuel levy collections were down by R893 million but was reduced by a payment of R584 million received from the road accident fund on debt owing. Approximately R458 million is still unpaid for which funds have already been appropriated to the road accident fund.

Special compliance actions contributed R304 million to the total amount collected.

8. Marketable securities tax

R1,97 billion was collected which is R173 million above the February 2006 estimate of R1,8 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R1,3 billion.

The increase in the amount collected compared to 2005 was underpinned by the continued buoyancy in the stock market.

9. Customs duties

R18,41 billion was collected which is R192 million below the February 2006 estimate of R18,6 billion. The February 2005 estimate was R13,0 billion.

Merchandise imports nevertheless rose by 11.5 percent in 2005.

The slower growth in domestic expenditure (Gross domestic expenditure slowed from 7.5 percent in the third quarter of 2005 to four percent in the fourth quarter of 2005) coincided with a contraction of about 1.5 percent in the volume of merchandise imports. (Source: South African Reserve Bank quarterly bulletin)

The allocation per tax type is based on preliminary information, and re-allocations could still occur with the release of the final figures.

For further enquiries contact:
Adrian Lackay
SARS Communications
Tel: (012) 422 4206
Cell: 083 388 2580

Issued by: South African Revenue Service
3 April 2006
   

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