Sars on 19 October, in anticipation of the finance minister’s release, published the Explanatory Summary of the Tax Administration Laws Amendment Bill, 2018.
The bill provides for the amendment of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, by inserting a provision enabling the commissioner for Sars to implement anti-forestalling measures in respect of anticipated increases in excise duties. In addition, to insert a provision providing for the writing off or compromise of any duty, interest, penalty or forfeiture incurred and owed to the commissioner for the benefit of the National Revenue Fund (NRF).
The bill further provides for the amendment of the yet-to-be-introduced Customs Control Act, 2014, to effect changes to certain definitions and to amend a provision to ensure that reporting requirements in respect of the departure of trucks due to leave South Africa are adhered to irrespective of whether a truck has cargo on board. In addition, to insert a provision providing for the writing off or compromise of debt owed to the commissioner for Sars for credit of the NRF.