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The South African Revenue Service (SARS) would like to remind taxpayers that today is the last opportunity for most individual taxpayers to submit their annual income tax returns. By the end of yesterday SARS had received over 5 million (5.057 million) tax returns – 4.04 million for 2012 and 991 048 outstanding returns from previous years. This represents an increase of about 22% in returns submitted if compared to the same period last year.

More than 96 628 returns were submitted yesterday and that number is expected to grow to more than 100 000 today.

Call volumes at the SARS Contact Centre have also escalated sharply. Yesterday the Contact Centre answered 39 784 calls and this number is also expected to increase today. The Contact Centre will be open until 8pm this evening to assist taxpayers with completing their returns.

For assistance with how to file a tax return, taxpayers can use the Help-You-eFile function on eFiling (www.sars.gov.za or www.sarsefiling.co.za), call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277, or visit a SARS branch office until 16h00 today.