On 24 March the South African Revenue Service (SARS) released its letter to the trade reminding all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which become due by end of the financial year, 31 March 2021.
The undated letter by the Director: Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry & Customs Compliance reads:
Dear Trader/Agent
SUBJECT: 13TH DEFERMENT PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE 2020/21 FINANCIAL YEAR
This letter serves as a reminder to all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to kindly adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which become due by end of the financial year, 31 March 2021.
The Customs External Standard-Deferment document (SC-DT-B-02), effective 29 March 2019, stipulates that, in addition to the twelve (12) regular payment dates chosen by the client, there will be a thirteenth payment in March.
The statement period for the thirteenth payment of this financial year (2020/2021) will close on 30 March 2021 at 17h00. It is the obligation of every account holder to ensure that their reconciliations are done timeously, and that payment is received no later than 15h00 on 31 March 2021.
The e-statements will be available from 19h00 on 30 March 2021 for account holders who are on e-Filing. Account holders not on e-Filing, are advised to make prior arrangement for their statements to be e-mailed to them by their Customs Branch Office. Due to the impact of COVID-19, no statements can be dropped off or collected.
Furthermore, stakeholders are advised specifically in cases where their bank does not transfer direct payment immediately, that they should ensure that the payments are made sufficiently in advance in order to meet the payment deadline as above, failing which a deferment suspension will be applied in line with the policy.
Your cooperation in this regard is highly appreciated.
Story by: Riaan de Lange